Prior to pet sounds the Beach Boys primarily focused on mainstream music plotted around the topics of surfing, romance, cars, and youth. The group originated in California. The Beach Boys initially were made popular with their hit song “Surfin” which was aired on the radio and instantly named number 75 on the national music charts. All the way up until their 11th album the Beach Boys continued to write about the trendy youth life and surfing. They were the typical teenage heartthrob group of their time.
Brian Wilson, a member of the Beach Boys, took charge of the group in its song writing aspects. Brian generally wrote the songs for the Beach Boys. Brian Wilson had an amazing understanding and ear for every instrument sound. He was able to easily tell when an instrument was off in the slightest bit weather it be with timing or pitch. Brian was a very hands-on producer when in the studio. For the making and development of “Pet Sounds”, Brian worked with Tony Asher to come up with the lyrics for each song.
Brian Wilson was continuously developing into a more and more talented and sophisticated writer. An album called “Rubber Soul” influenced him. Brian wrote “Pet Sounds” in direct response to “Rubber Soul”. Brian noticed how “Rubber Soul” did not contain any filler songs on the album, such as covers or humorous skits to fill up space. The though of an album with all well written songs, each unique but all a part of a whole inspired Brian.
The first characteristic of “Pet Sounds” is its instrumentation. With “Pet Sounds”, Brian was the first to incorporate orchestras and choirs in pop music. Brian used the size and strength of the choirs and orchestras to fill out the songs and create more in-depth instrumentation. Brian also used out of the ordinary instruments such as dog whistles, bicycle bells, trains, and harpsichords. The second characteristic of “Pet Sounds” was its organization and flow. Every song in the album is unique but each song flows into the next. The album’s songs all contain similar themes of happiness and romance. There are no tracks that are individuals, the album comes together as a whole.
“Pet Sounds” had a unique impression on me as an audio enthusiast. With the incorporation of unconventional instruments, and never before used techniques in pop, it started to make me wonder what I can personally do differently in my musical creations to innovate and change the industry expectations. When I heard the first couple songs I started to notice the funky sounds and quickly realized how they added so much to the song and gave it its own personality.
Sources:
Suite 101 over-view of "Pet Sounds"
