A Box Set for Fanatics and Non-Fanatics Alike

I do not generally go for the box sets. For the most part, they strike me as being a little excessive, and altogether unnecessary. I really don't need to hear the ten ten outtakes of my favorite song; they were outtakes for a reason.

The Pet Sounds box set proves to be an exception. That probably has a lot to do with its subject matter: Pet Sounds, the master work of the Beach Boys' resident genius, Brian Wilson. Although regularly written off as pop papsters, the Beach Boys have produced some incredible music. Even some of their earlier work, such as "I Get Around", "Don't Worry, Baby", and "In My Room", gave indication that there was something bubbling belong the bubblegum surface. Pet Sounds came about during Wilson's brief creative peak, starting when he broke from the pop market's expectations and ending with his mental breakdown. In this time, Wilson arranged and composed music that changed the rock world. Such songs as "God Only Knows", "Wouldn't It Be Nice", and "Caroline, No" were a drastic change from the usual, moronic songs that one would regularly hear, songs about cars, surfing, puppy love, and so on.

Instead, the songs on Pet Sounds were delicately crafted, emotively orchestrated little symphonies. Utilizing such unlikely "rock" instruments as French horn, Hawaiian guitar, bass harmonica, bicycle bell and theremin, Wilson put together (by ear) enduring and beautiful songs like none heard before or since. Once he had crafted the backing tracks, Wilson brought in the other Beach Boys and began laying down the vocals. The six pristene, unique voices mix together flawlessly, best heard on tracks such as "That's Not Me" and "Sloop John B" (which is really my least favorite track on the album, but it does have great vocals).

Now, you could get all of this just by getting the album, and skipping the box set. For the listener with a passing interest, that might be the best route. However, if you are even remotely interested in the process of putting together perfect music, the box set is for you. Following are the features that inspired my recommendation.

The most attractive feature of the box set is the vocals-only track. The Beach Boys began as a vocal band, and the results are amazing. It really must be heard to be believed. I can listen to the vocal tracks as easily as I can listen to the album as whole: they can stand on their own.

The box set also features equally engaging vocal-less backing tracks. These are interspersed throughout the three disks, mixed in with studio outtakes of Wilson's work with the orchestra.

The box set also contains the entire album in two forms--its original form, produced in mono, and a new stereo mix. The stereo mix is interesting; according the the producers, it is the equivalent of a 3D version of a painting, allowing a different, but not better, look at the masterpiece.

All of the above, I think, can hold the interest of a general music fan. For the obsessed, the set also includes two booklets, one of which features interviews with just about all of the musicians who perform on the album. It also gives Brian Wilson's comments on each track. Although his mental condition has improved since his breakdown, he's still pretty out of it and reading his thoughts is a little disquieting.

If you enjoy the music on the Pet Sounds album, you should really check out the box set. If you are into music recording, you really need to pore over the box set. I would recommend it to anyone who has more than a passing interest in music.