Henry Rollins: The Column! The Beach Boys' SMiLE: Even Better than Advertised

Adamrebelius

Hi, Henry. Long time fan, first time caller. As a music collector, I have quite a few bootlegs of the Smile recording sessions in my personal, private collection. I have a theory, and mind you, it's only a theory, so I can't prove it as fact, but considering the history of both The Beatles, and The Beach Boys, plus with a few known facts about what's happening at the time, I could be right. Brian Wilson started work on Smile in 1966 after Pet Sounds was released. That much is fact. The single "Good Vibrations" was a preview of what Brian promised the world what Smile would be. The Beatles went on their last tour of the U.S. in 1966, and the last show was at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on August 29th of that year. It is also a fact that Paul McCartney makes a guest appearance on what would eventually become "Smiley Smile" specifically on the song "Vege-table" (In one part of the song, he is recorded crunching on a carrot) It is also a historical fact that The Beatles' "Sargent Pepper's......." was a tribute to Pet Sounds. My theory is this: After The Beatles played their last concert, they headed down to L.A. where Brian was laboring over Smile. I speculate that Paul had played a completed, although not final version of the Sgt. Pepper's album for Brian, and told him that it was their tribute to Pet Sounds. I seriously believe that this is what lead to Brian's melt down and why the album, they way it was intended to be released in 1967 sat on the shelves for so long, and why the public ended up w/"Smiley Smile" and why the rest of the songs appeared on following records over time. To be sure, the topic of Smile was a very sore spot for Brian, and he would almost refuse to talk about it for years when asked. I even remember seeing one interview where here angrily stated that Smile was NEVER going to be released because the master tapes were destroyed in a fire. Like I said, a sore subject for him. Well, it's out now. I've only heard the Brian Wilson solo version so far, but look forward to hearing the legitimate Beach Boys version soon. Thanks for a great review. Take care.

eskimohut

I remember seeing the Ramones at a Punk bar in NJ, I think it was called City Gardens, and being blown away. Ironically it was through the Ramones that I really began to appreciate the Beach Boys sound. To me the Ramones were the Beach Boys in leather. Thanks for keeping good music on the radio Henry. Happy Holidays.

eskimohut

Brings me somewhere I always wanted to be, organically. A testament to the power of music. One of a kind brilliance...

Beatvw

Great review. No nonsense, stick to the music. Too many reviewers use one track or another to jusify some prejudice against Wilson or the BB's. Glad you see through that crap.

Al Perry

Thank you for what you wrote. I've listened to this material for decades. This box set is the greatest. I never tire of hearing this stuff. I have a radio show, and I played the first CD in the box, and I got an astonishing number of calls from people who weren't aware of this material and probably were not even Beach Boys fans. Every single one of them was blown away, as I am every time I listen. thank you thank you thank you.

Kennedy Kits

It's ok. I think Henry is a little too exuberant on this one. While McCartney feared the Beach Boys as their one credible threat, the Kinks of the same time period blows this aimless stuff away and challenges (and often surpasses) even the Beatles. I would put Ray and Dave of the early years up against anything Brian Wilson ever did during that time.

eskimohut

The Kinks...No doubt a brilliant band and songwriting genius as well but when one is discussing the power of sonic harmony the Beach Boys stand at the eye of the needle...

Nathanbyrn

That is funny!!

Todd Lefever

Great article with some interesting points. I agree 100% with what you have written. I too have seen Brian Wilson perform a couple of times. No question he is a musical genuis, and despite his struggles, still has it. I can tell you're as big a Brian Wilson/Beach Boys fan as I am. Hardcore fans already know what we know. It's sometimes difficult to convince the casual fan that there's more to The Beach Boys than the surf and car songs. Hopefully, your column will do just that.

Adamrebelius

Well, put! There is much more to The Beach Boys than meets the eye. Pet Sounds is considered a classic now, but, with the exception of those with ears to hear and an open mind, it was not widely accepted by people. Long time fans at the time wanted more songs about girls, cars, and surfing, and Pet Sounds went over their heads. Luckily, while it was one of their worse selling albums at the time, there were quite a few people who's lives were changed by this album, for the better. It is a known fact that The Beatles "Sgt Pepper's......" album was a tribute to "Pet Sounds". (Especially the MONO version, which The Beatles personally over saw the production of, for the mere fact that Pet Sounds was originally meant to be listened to in mono due to Brian being legally deaf in one ear. The Mono and Stereo versions of Sgt. Pepper's...... are TOTALLY different from each other!) Now, maybe I'm crazy, but it is my estimated opinion from what my ears tell me that there are two other bands who put out albums that were just as influenced by Pet Sounds as The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's... album. That would be The Who's "Happy Jack" (or "A Quick One" as it was called in England) and The Mothers of Invention's "Freak Out". As I said, maybe I'm crazy, but I for one can hear the subtle, and sometimes not so subtle influence of Pet Sounds on these albums. Play these four albums side by side, back to back, and see if you you can hear it for yourself. (I would caution however, that one should listen to an ORIGINAL VINYL copy of Freak Out and NOT the C.D. re-issue. It was re-mixed and re-engineered, plus some of the songs were edited) Happy listening.

Jennie Vasquez

I'm one of those casual fans that has always seen the music as surf music. I'm simple in that if I like something I listen to it, if not I don't. I've always liked the Beach Boys because the music is fun. I'm not a deep thinker so I've never thought of the Beach Boys the way Henry does but this was an interesting article. I enjoyed Heroes and Villains song on the show last week. I kind of would like to hear the entire album on the radio show but don't know if that is allowed but it would be great.