The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds

Beach Boy Mike Love aptly notes in filmmaker Martin R. Smith's BBC Four-aired documentary that the legendary album Pet Sounds "took 20 years…to go platinum." By the mid-1960s, the Beach Boys had racked up enough hits that Capitol Records was willing to bankroll something different. First, composer Brian Wilson decided that he no longer wanted to tour, so with the rest of the band in Japan, he got started on the new record by roping in songwriter Tony Asher and the session musicians of the Wrecking Crew, including drummer Hal Blaine and bassist Carol Kaye. Wilson also chose to use his own studio, instead of Capitol's facilities. According to music writer David Wild, Wilson's "instrument” was the recording studio, where he combined an orchestra, multi-tracking, and samples (such as barking by his dogs). Upon their return to the States, the group contributed lyrics, vocals, and ideas, including Al Jardine's suggestion that they cover the Kingston Trio's "Sloop John B." The end result was a critical hit that failed to live up to Capitol's expectations, even though it drew praise from Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Jardine says, "They just didn't understand it," so they didn't know how to promote it. In retrospect, the band has no regrets since the material has passed the test of time. All of the surviving members offer their thoughts here, while Brian's late brothers, Dennis and Carl Wilson, appear in archival footage. Presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include additional interviews. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)