Absolutely love this guy. One of the freshest and most authentic voices in the vinyl community. And so unpretentious - dude doesn’t even use outer sleeves. The basement DIY vibe is fitting, but this guy needs a real show, perhaps with a co-host he can debate.
It's not that he is unpretentious, it's that he has bad taste. That Donald Fagen album is very good (albeit dated sound) at least lyrically and I love the opening synth chords, the Van Morrison album is just stellar lyrically and sonically and shows Vans "detached" vocal style. Aja was a move away from rock n' roll and Wayne Shorter even makes an appearance. I agree, from a music consumer perspective, Pet Sounds is over-rated but according to an old school music arranger and producer we used to know(1970s?) from England, he said Pet Sounds was hugely influential -but mostly for the other producers - who nicked many techniques, don't ask me what as I don't know, and he said for a rock/pop album the chord, harmonies, and vocal arrangements are on another level. But lyrically, it appears like a simple pop album. He said even back then him and his colleagues considered some of Brian's stuff simply genius.
I agree, I always want to hear people bash Queen (one of my favourite bands). But when it happens it's always just surface level stuff they rag on. They don't really dig deep into what they really hate about them. It's rather dissapointing, imo.
@@andyboerger I agree, they are overrated. Especially with how much "We Will Rock You" and "We are the Champions" get played, I know people who like Queen but never want to hear those songs ever again. One thing I don't like about Queen is that their live releases are absolute garbage, messing up the mastering by making it all congested, pitch correcting Freddie's voice and overdubbing everything. Their are loads of live bootlegs you can find on UA-cam and they sound incredible, better than anything Queen Productions has released.
It feels like you just had to sit through the most snooty, pretentious party of your life and now that the guests have finally all left you can tell us how you really feel lol. Best video I’ve seen of yours lmao
This video was killing me!!🤯 Aja is Easily one of my "Dessert Island albums" and Astral Weeks is my FAVORITE album ever and I had never even heard it until I was in my early thirties!!🤯🤣🤣
LOOOOOOOL i watched 3 minutes with your Steely Dan "Aja" review and i am TOTALLY sold! Instant subscribe!!! Finally a vinyl youtuber who actually states their opinion and doesn't just blindly push records that everybody else loves!! Love it! ABOUT TIME.
1:18 I am one of those people who feel that both “Aja” and “The Nightfly” are absolute masterpieces. But I also have a sense of humor. That being said, your commentary on them both had me laughing to the point of hyperventilating. Great channel Robert, keep these videos coming!!!
I don't think there's a band or artist on earth I hate more than Steely Dan/Donald Fagen. There's just nothing there but goofiness... every time I hear them I just start hating humanity. But, tastes vary, I reckon, sometimes widely. :)
Yes! Yes! YES! Finally someone on the same wavelength as me re Aja, Van Morrison and, best of all, Pet Sounds. Thank you, thank you, thank you. That is excellent. I'm so glad it's not just me. And "sure, Jan" made me laugh out loud. Great channel, thank you
I love Pet Sounds, but I can actually relate to the echo chamber of praise that it gets to the point that the myth of the album outshines the album itself. I'm young and write music, and I love Pet Sounds mainly for the way Brian uses the studio to create a thick, rich and dense sound, especially with all the different instruments. But I think it is dangerous to assume in some ways that the record did so much when it was, from what I've read, really kind of a flop and fell into relative obscurity for some time. But that leads to people saying it's ahead of it's time, but I can agree where you're coming from in some ways, especially with how some people talk about it, repeating cliches. Thanks for the video!
same mythologizing of the Velvet Underground's first album. It sold far less than even Pet Sounds, but is now considered one of, if not THE, most influential rock albums of all time. And yet, what do we have if we strip away the myth? An album where the last two songs are complete wastes of time and gratingly annoying. A 'masterpiece' (Heroin) that keeps repeating itself so it could be about half as long, and a handful of wonderful songs, half of which are TRULY groundbreaking and the other half placed well within the work of their contemporaries. Are Sunday Morning and Femme Fatale ahead of their time? Not at all. I remember once where a RS critic said 'The Velvet Underground invented the 70s'. This is nonsense. Led Zeppelin 'invented' the 70s if you are going to pin it down to one group. Jimmy Page's concept of 'light and shade' influenced way more music of that decade than the experimental avant garde amateurism of the VU.
I think the slervenotes on Aja may have been a satire or lampoon of proper jazz sleevenotes where they go in depth on each song. Love the videos. It's like you're my brother from another mother. I don't use outer sleeves either.
That’s my thought exactly, they were spoofing a typical jazz album. Nothing about SD should be taken too seriously. The record company president was probably in on the joke.
That actually makes sense. Seems like a self-aware joke. If I had gotten this vinyl, I would have been extremely confused as I'm not a jazz head and wouldn't have known this.
I love Steely Dan. Love Jazz and such a great line up of musicians on Aja (Asia). Aside from the juvenile musical opinion, I really didn’t pay attention to the liner notes and thinking of it that way. I saw it as a jazz record. Notes being the back of a The Blue Note or Dave Brubeck record. But you are so right on! It’s a giant circle j. Especially with the approval of the ABC Rec Pres. I’m about to repurchase the record on vinyl because I do love the music. I just now wish, the gatefold would update to reflect session pics or something revealing like Hendrix’s “Electric Ladyland”. I haven’t laughed this hard at a record review. You’ve earned my subscription. 😅
I couldn't keep a straight face all through this. Also, it's refreshing to hear someone, other than myself, call Pet Sounds overrated. I tip my hat to you, Sir Robert 😃
I never bought the lp until the 90s And I must say it's a great LP ,I listened on my own terms,it's not best LP ever but a very good one ,in my opinion Never mind the bollocks is probably the the best rock LP I've ever heard,🇬🇧
Pet Sounds, Astral Weeks, Aja, Nashville Skyline... I've had an absolutely identical list for decades now; it's almost eerie. For this reason alone, I'm subscribing!
I just recover from my first contact with your furor-fueled blitzkrieg against Nashville Skyline, Pet Sounds and Astral Weeks😂Eternal elements of my own Holy Grail! But I have to admit, that your words made me laugh, shout, cry and rethink one after another. Thanks for some fresh breeze in my mind🙋🏻♂️👍🏻And you won a new subscriber by this right now!
Great video Robert!! I can see why people get turned off by Pet Sounds. I remember saying as a kid that I'll never get into The Beach Boys, but I got curious about Pet Sounds, and I was at this weird headspace where I wanted to hear something real when I was 17, and I found myself loving it, especially the track, I Just Wasn't Made For These Times, with likes such as "They say I got brains, but they ain't doing me no good" and "Sometimes I feel very sad", being a loner growing up, it resonated with me. That's Not Me is another track that I resonated with, especially in high school where I felt that I had to change so much of myself just to fit in and have friends, but knowing that they things I had to like, the way I had to dress, just to blend in was not me at all. So I defend Pet Sounds on that basis, not with the whole same argument that its a masterpiece.
What a review. I love alternate takes on albums that people have long gushed and fawned over. I got Pet Sounds as well and really didnt get they hype....
I’m sorry dude. Maybe it’s a California thing, but I have literally listened to Pet sounds hundreds if not thousands of times. I love the lyrics, the music, everything about it. I grew up at the beach and surfed all the time. It soundtracked my childhood, my teenage years, my dating years, everything. The Beach Boys records that came before and after aren’t anywhere near it but I like them also. “Wouldn’t it Be Nice” is a great track but my favorite will always be “God Only Knows.” My other favorites by the them are Smiley Smile and Surf’s Up.
@@morrits3969 im talking about the Beach Boys in general. I know that specific album isn’t about surfing but they are synonymous with surf culture and their music is so ubiquitous in beach towns in California.
A year late but you made me laugh about one of my favorite albums...Aja....stood in line in isla vista the day it came out and haven't stopped listening 45 years later...you are a hoot and keep it up!
Great video! You never fail to make me laugh and I mean that in a good way. I agree with your album choices but I must admit, I got a little nervous when I saw Some Girls on the pile. And I too, can't understand the fascination with Pet Sounds. I think it's a good album but not a great album. I think if Paul McCartney wasn't such a fan of the album, we wouldn't be talking about it so much today. And with all the work that Brian Wilson put into it, why such a crappy album cover? The band feeding goats? Wow. I had never listened to The 13th Floor Elevators until just now on UA-cam. Your video peaked my curiosity and I agree. That bubbly sound is definitely annoying. But your impression of it is hilarious! Keep up the good work!
I love some of these things, and I also love when someone is honest about their real opinions! Many of the artists you are "dissing" did the same to others. And so it goes. No harm done!
I didn’t agree with all of your opinions but that’s life. At least you’re on here talking about records. Pet Sounds though I take exception with though. I have a distinct memory of my friend right before she got engaged listening to this twice in a row on repeat just holding each other. So some of the songs like Don’t Talk (put your head on my shoulder), God Only Knows and Caroline No have special places in my heart. Hands down my favorite album. I’m not high on Sloop John B but such is life. Even if I don’t agree with your takes hopefully you keep dishing them out.
Thank you for saying what I have always thought about Pet Sounds! Well produced but forgettable music that is somehow revered by people. Have listened many times thinking I must be missing something but always come away disappointed. Right on about Astral Weeks. Van Morrison brings new meaning to the word piercing. Totally agree with you on Zappa and his disposable music.
I just found your channel a couple of days ago and I LOVE IT! State your opinions ALWAYS! You are a breath of fresh air. And while I dont always agree with you,I will always listen to your opinions. I am along for the ride to wherever it takes me. Peace
"Lay Lady Lay" is the ONLY Dylan song that shows off a descent voice. Love the video, you crack me up, but some of your musical taste has got me scratching my head.
Dylan can sing when he wants to. Nashville Skyline proved that. But his singing voice was hilariously horrible on the Traveling Wilburys track "Congratulations"! 😂😂 That song is one of my favorite tracks on "Volume 1".
Lay Lady Lay is one of his best, but "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" is another great easy relaxed Dylan vocal, not one where he's trying to "do Bob Dylan" - he just is Bob Dylan.
Absolutely agree about Pet Sounds. When you have people obsessing about letting you know what a genius someone is, red flags just go up. It gets repeated over and over and the only “proof” offered is in how people characterize Brian Wilson. A “genius” grading doesn’t make much difference when the music just doesn’t sound good. That “knowledge” really does not help.
Pet Sounds fanatics/ Beach Boys fanatics are like Beatles fanatics. Forever loved by overweight hippies who are still stoned and have zero fashion sense.
Pet Sounds is my favourite album ever, but I still love ya Rob. Personally, the album just speaks so much to me and my own mental problems and my teenage heartbreak. 'tis only opinion - I personally strongly dislike, say, AC/DC, KISS, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles and so forth. heck, I'm not too fond of Zeppelin either. but that's my opinion, I won't let you guys not enjoy their music. most overrated personally I'd pick Back in Black. but I think you have a point with the issue of people saying things are good bc they get told they're good. case in point once again those bands I mentioned. I don't understand how someone who isn't 8 years old or younger can enjoy AC/DC.
A girl I went to high school with had the name Aja. Caught your video from today about the $150 reissue. I had to come back to this and see what happened. You didn't disappoint in this video. Trolling the trolls or the people skimming is hilarious
Aja one of the greatest albums ever made, but dude you are hilarious. lol. have you thought about doing some stand up improv at the local comedy club? There's a new band comin out called The Tidepool Boys, heard their gonna release their first album soon, 'Pete Sounds'. a little stand up lol.
And Jann wasn’t behind the Pet Sounds Sessions Box set….if I recall, It was Mark Linett. He was actually behind the 90’s Beach Boys 2-for-1 CD’s, and that included the Pet Sounds Album (which was not issued As Part of the 2-for-1’s). “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, while a great song, is NOT the standout track on Pet Sounds…It’s “God Only Knows”, the Carl Wilson sung ballad.
And here’s what Pet Sounds influenced: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. (Without Rubber Soul and Revolver, there would be no Pet Sounds, and therefore no Pet Sounds, no Sgt. Pepper.)
I believe I went over all of that in the video (or maybe it was a different video). The main point was the extremely suspicious fact that "Pet Sounds" never moves from the #2 spot on RS Top Albums, while EVERY OTHER album goes up and down the numbers. Somehow, "Pet Sounds" remains firmly in place. From what I have learned Jann Wenner is behind this. There is an unconfirmed popular rumor (which is why I didn't mention it, specifically) that it is one of a very low number of albums that he actually owns part of and gets a cut of sale. This is why he also was part of the creation of that box set. People can like it personally, but there's no denying it has quite an overblown history.
Had to bite my tongue through this one hahaha! It felt like the kind of debate you'd get into hanging out with buddies, and that one friend knows EXACTLY which buttons to push to rile you up - so good dude! Respectfully disagree with a lot of your opinions, but that's why they're opinions
Also, here's me not biting my tongue haha! I pretty much stuck to my Mum and Dad's collection growing up (AC/DC, Eagles, Motorhead, Fleetwood Mac, Rush etc) so I had a perception of both groups that was only based on their early work. The Beatles were just white guys playing watered down R&B music, The Beach Boys were white guys playing similar music, set to the theme of a surfing trend. Because of these perception issues (psychologist would have a field day), I never really explored either until I decided to listen to every Beatles album back to back over a couple of days. I actually couldn't even believe it! The progression felt subtle enough between each record to follow their process along in a logical way, but the difference between early and late stuff is unbelievable. It never occurred to me to skip down the timeline to listen to some of the later works for some reason, and I felt like both (and all) their eras complemented each other. From then on, and still now, if you suggest me an artist to check out, I start from the beginning and work all the way up their studio albums. This is exactly what happened with the Beach Boys. I always heard they were 'The American Beatles' so wanted to do the same for their albums too. And yes, I did listen through alllllll of them eventually, whether I wanted to or not haha! I feel their early stuff is the same as the Beatles in many ways, boy meets girl etc, empty lyrics with no real meaning. The first time I heard Pet Sounds I had to really stop what I was doing and follow the words along. Caroline No and I Just Wasn't Made... are as poignant and thought provoking as Help!, Girl or most of those mid-era Beatles bits. The words just really resonated me at that particular time, feeling like a child out of time... From there it lead me to listen to both the acapella and instrumental versions of Pet Sounds, and really opened the doors for critical listening. Tuning your ear into different instruments playing their separate parts, and then re-listening to the work as a whole and hearing how they all work together. The same with vocal harmony, which I have to say, is my favourite thing about any and all music regardless of genre. The way different voices sound together is just magical. So the short version is, I both blame and praise Pet Sounds for a perception shift in my brain. Not only for critical listening to music (which has allowed me to re-listen to all my favourite records again for the first time) but for a newly found love for discovering records I've set to one side without giving a chance.
Thanks Robert another great video! I can listen to you rant about Pet Sounds all day! I feel the same way about that album. Your 13th Floor Elevators description is classic!
Pet Sounds is not as bad as Smile and Smiley Smile, so I will give it that. On a separate note, Good Vibrations is a fantastic record by The Wrecking Crew, even better than most of their Monkees stuff.
@Beau Lijah You're Gonna Miss Me is also the name of a very well-done documentary about Roky Erickson. Very insightful and quite sad at times (the guy had some serious mental issues). Netflix has it---I recommend!
Robert, us how you really feel. I couldn’t agree more with you on some of this.Zappa, Aja etc but likely would never voice that opinion in a crowded room, especially full of trained musicians. It’s an Emperors new clothes situation. I feel the same way about most contemporary art. I no comprehend. Thanks for another fun ride.
This video randomly popped up in my feed. I had several good laughs watching this. Good to hear some honest opinions. I’ve got Pet Sounds on my shelf because it’s supposed to be such a classic. I’ve never made it through listening to the entire album. Now maybe once every couple of years I put it on and listen Wouldn’t It Be Nice before putting it back on the shelf. Aja was the other album I never liked. Thought I must have poor taste or I wasn’t hip enough to get it. Definitely will be checking out more of your videos
Thank you so much for your comments on Van Morrison. I've been hearing about how revolutionary and amazing he is for 40 years, and I couldn't agree with you more. If I go to hell I expect to hear nothing but Van Morrison and REM 24/7.
HAHHAHHAHHhaHAHHAHhaHAH. I love Aja. I also love to read about the big jizz fest type gatefold stores. HAHHahHAhaH. Made me laugh thou. I however hate The Nightfly. Was nice to hear your reflection on Pet Sounds as well.......
Hey, my name starts with a Z!!! :) In defense of Uncle Meat: what you were talking about is the CD reissue. Zappa added the long film excerpts in the 80s. Probably thinking that the film will never see the light. This is what I advise to everyone who hates this album for the long dialogs: listen through disc 1, and start disc 2 at track 4. (That was the original LP tracklist.) It becomes a very solid album with many of his concert staples. Yeah, I can see how the dirty lyrics was the reason Zappa was an icon, especially that he did fight taboos. But here in Europe I think his fans are more interested in his music. Van Morrison is another one I don't agree with. I find the stripped down musical accompaniment beautiful. But hey, that's OK, we don't have to agree. I always enjoy when people explain why they hate what I like. It's not good to live in a bubble.
If that's the Rykodisc CD transfer of Uncle Meat, then it won't help that it's a horrible sounding disc. Headache-inducing, despite Frank himself being at the helm. But the later CD issues are wonderful. As is the vinyl release. Probably won't convert anyone who isn't a fan, but it might help people in the middle form a more positive opinion of this 'challenging' album : ) Great video. Thanks!
Wow...your channel brings me back to the late 80s when I worked at a Vinyl record store in upstate NY that was legendary for having a giant animal head mounted on the store whose owner also had the nick name. He would play various albums and give his takes on them and customers would get into conversations about music..Sans the CDs this really brings me back.
I’m so with you on this. Take that blowing into a teapot on 13th Floor Elevators. I bought it and everyone said it was so good - wtf is that bubbly thing I just don’t get it. Hated it! Great video I laughed the entire way through. Brilliant and so entertaining. None of these were anywhere my UA-cam top 10
Robert, this is the very first video I’ve watched from you and I’m now a fan for life. Why? Because for over 50 years, I’ve been puzzled and perplexed on why “Pet Sounds” is considered a friggin’ masterpiece and on some lists, the greatest album of all time! Now, don’t get me started on “Smile”, another head scratcher.
SMILE wasn't even released so it must have been so much better than Pet Sounds that it would have disrupted the space time continuum if it came out in the 60s. [literally a fire broke out a few blocks away while they were recording a song about fire and Brian Wilson's drug paranoia decided it was an omen and not just a coincidence and that's why he shelved the project lol)
LOL this was great! I bought Pet Sounds because it was listed as one of the "greatest" and "most influential" records of all time. I think I've listened to it once or twice. Loved the way you threw Some Girls into the middle, lol. With Uncle Meat, if your experience is solely with the CD version, only the CD version has that long-assed monologue that makes no sense and is irritating to listen to, and which I skip over every time. The reason it's there is because all the original music from the vinyl, when put on CD, comes out to 1 minute and 30 seconds (or something like that) longer than what a single CD can contain. So Frank opted to add the ridiculous monologue (which came from the film that was never finished) and release it on 2 CDs. The vinyl release does not have that shit on it. Uncle Meat has one of the greatest compositions Frank ever wrote - King Kong. If I were to make a similar video, I'd be showing anything by Radiohead, and "Loveless" by MBV. Everyone loves these - I just don't get it. And you know me, I love some weird shit.
Wish I could like this video twice!! Your takes are spot on!! Love people who are honest!! Aja is a great stiffener for shipping good albums. Hope all is well with you!! Have a great week!! Jon
I'm sorry you can't appreciate Pet Sounds. People go on about God Only Knows yes a classic but 'Wouldn't it be nice' and 'Sloop John B' are magnificent in terms of harmonies. 'Don't Talk (put your head on my shoulder)' and 'You Still Believe in Me' are two of Brian Wilsons most under-rated tunes, they are both beautiful and I love the arrangements. The two instrumentals 'Lets go away for a while' and 'Pet sounds' are also beautiful. 'Caroline No' is a great tune with a great vocal from Brian. As for the others . My fav non Brian on this is 'Here Today' which is a classic too imho. The other tunes are all well done too. If you don't like an album that's fine but music is subjective. I personally feel pet sounds is an all time classic
I want to talk about that rubber soul comment and the Beatles “not being worried about The Beach Boys” the the three albums The Beach Boys released in 1965 peaked at #2 #4 and #6 in the US billboard top 200. Of course rubber soul peaked at number 1 but saying that they weren’t worried about The Beach Boys during that time is a huge understatement.
It's refreshing to see someone think outside the box. I like most of those albums, but I have a lot of the same issues with some of the covers, the liner notes, some songs, that a lot of people overrate albums so much... Oh man, the perfect record isn't exists. A lot of vinyl collectors are too extreme, too aggressive, too fanatical about specific albums. It's okay to love records, but sometimes it's boring to see the same albums on those "best of" lists on Rolling Stone, Spin, Billboard, Pitchfork, Hit Parader, Metal Hammer, etc.
Aja is a brilliant album. Steely Dan stretched out on this album. It is also one of the best sounding recorded albums in rock history. Amazing sound and brilliant music
i did enjoy the fresh take. But the vinyl IS pretentious artwork. Not sure if it was intended to be parody in the first place though...apparently the "humor" was missed on some of us lol. I agree actually that they had a missed opportunity to include more artwork. I did like Deacon Blues..but yeah...lyric wise...the album isnt their strongest. But then again i never really listened to Steely Dan...or Kiss for lyrics.😂
I couldn't disagree more about The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds," Van Morrison's "Astral Weels" and Bob Dylan's "Nashville Skyline." "Pet Sounds" and "Astral Weeks" are two of the greatest albums ever made, and if you want to know why I love "Pet Sounds" it's in the creativity off Brian Wilson's vocal and instrumental arrangements and the magi spell they create. And if you think Paul McCartney was being facetious when he told the other Beatles that "Pet Sounds" was the greatest rock album released to that date and they were going to have to work their asses off to top it (which they did with "Revolver"), listen to McCartney songs like "Back in the U.S.S.R." and "The Black Seat of My Car" where his love for The Beach Boys is obvious. I get the impression you don't like jazz very much because at least two of the albums you trashed, "Astral Weeks" and Steely Dan's "Aja," are strongly jazz-influenced and that seems to be one of the aspects of them that bother you most. (That may be one of the reasons you don't like Frank Zappa's "Hot Rats" either.) I wouldn't rate "Nashville Skyline" at the level of "Pet Sounds" or "Astral Weeks" but it was a refreshing new direction for Dylan, who proved he could make a great album without doing social comment or surrealistic imagery. He explained the change in the sound of his voice on "Nashville Skyline" by saying he had just quit smoking when he made it. "Nashville Skyline" made it cool for hippies to like country music in general and Johnny Cash in particular. BTW, "Lay Lady Lay" was originally written as the theme for the movie "Midnight Cowboy," but because. Dylan didn't finish it in time the filmmakers ended up using Harry Nilsson's cover of Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'" instead (and one of the biggest ironies of Nilsson's career is that he was a sensational songwriter in his own right but the biggest hit of his career was a cover). But I respect you enough to have tried to be thoughtful and intelligent in my comments instead of railing against you and calling you an [expletive deleted].
@@johnnyd63 I bought the "Pet Sounds" album**, and later the single with "God Only Knows" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice" on each side. I played "Pet Sounds" about five times over the last few years, but the single a lot more. Apart from the two great tracks and the great cover song (which I already had as a single), I thought the rest was filler. ** Because I read that Paul McCartney had given each of his children a copy of the album because he believed that nobody's musical education is complete until they've heard Pet Sounds.
You're so funny ! I liked a number of these albums at one time. Aja when it came out (I was 19). Pet sounds during my pregnancy (40) Astral weeks during the lockdown. But I get what you're saying and can see where you're at. Also I had to laugh because I remember my brother and his friends were really into Zappa, especially the "yellow snow" bit. I think we go through phases with music, but I got a kick out of this video.
Couldn't agree with you more on "Pet Sounds". I had a copy in my collection for years 'cause everybody was saying it's a masterpiece... never listened to it myself. Finaly, I sold it on Ebay couple of months ago. "Overrated" would be an understatement..!! 😄😄 Frank Zappa is absolute crap too.
"Pet Sounds" is generally considered one of the most influential albums in music history, it even impressed Paul McCartney. The music is very intricate and nuanced. The instrumentation, the melodies, the lyrics, the vocals....
Uncle Meat and Pet Sounds are among my favourite albums... But I really enjoyed your enthusiasm. Cool vid! By the way, how much do you hate Trout Mask Replica?
Thank You....for decades I have listened to people tell me that Pet Sounds was genius. I have not nor will I ever understand why people drool over this album. Credit where it belongs...God Only Knows...is a great song, as for the rest of it..pass! I personally put it down to herd mentality, similar to FOMO, everyone else likes it so I must think it's great. For not drinking the Cool Aid you deserve the sub. Look forward to more " I will think for myself" videos in the future.
Hahaha wonderful! Despite the fact that I don't agree with a couple of albums, I loved the spirit of it, like Generation X, a lot of balls, and that the Millenials and the entire generation of crystal are offended. CONGRATS!!!
Pet Sounds is my favorite album - but I can get why some people don’t like it. It took me five or six listens before it clicked with me. I just “feel” those songs (though not a “Sloop John B” fan). All the fans I know spend hours on the boards talking about the minutiae of each song. The Cello’s and Tympani on “Don’t Talk” while Brian sings about the most relatable thing in a relationship, to “I may not always love you…” “I keep looking for a place to fit in…” The best vinyl version is the AP Stereo 45, followed by Steve Hoffman’s DCC. The twofer is good - but the 1980 Green Label Capitol is better - as is the single Brown Label. I like Aja ok - but love your take. I was cracking up so much! I had no idea about the Some Girls album covers. I never liked that album.
AJA = Awesome. ZAPPA = Awesome. Can't say I disagree "too much" with the rest though (other than Pet Sounds) * And hey, LOVE that classic Scotch VHS T-shirt! Killer. M ⚡
Funny Show, love it. Pet Sounds is as relevant to the advancement of music as Rolling Stone is to music magazines, which is to say, not at all. Both are completely overrated. Why Frank Zappa was declared a genius is inexplicable to me. His "art" usually got on my nerves. But all this is only my opionion. Abuses and insults please keep.
Thanks for mentioning Rolling Stone, influence on popular culture was vast-and harmful. That's because what they mostly did for many years was to spotlight & hype (over & over) a small list of mainstream big-budget acts (many of whom the founder/publisher was pals with) while consistently ignoring innovative music on small labels. Repeatedly overhyping the same celebrities while repeatedly ignoring innovative & fresh talent-that was their gig. Rolling Stone taught me that if you wish to be surprised by an art form you must ignore the mainstream "authorities" & search & experience things for yourself. (If Zappa was overrated, he was, being a cult figure, overrated on such a small scale that he couldn't be as annoying as others-he didn't clog up the airwaves (or Rolling Stone). For that reason, I tend to be more annoyed by acts like, say, Bon Jovi or Pat Benatar.)
I love Van Morrison Especially things like Moondance and his best of album but totally agree with you about Astral weeks. Maybe it's too sophisticated for me but I think it's not very accessible.
One aspect to consider with regards to the albums on the retailers' shelves: How much artistic control did the performers on the albums have? I say that since the music perfomers/singers were under _contract_ with the record companies; where there are layers of management and decision makers processes the product goes through before it is packaged and placed on retailers' shelves. Some of the stuff we see as the end products with record albums could have the decision making from the VP of Artists and Repertoire [A&R] of the record company label.
My God, I haven’t laughed so much in ages. Just finished this video & thoroughly enjoyed it though I didn’t agree with everything. Actaully I really like Aja & have been a Zappa fan for over 50 years. However I will agree with your take on Uncle Meat, Weasels & Burnt Weenie. And Pet Sounds? Nah. You’re definitely the entertainer-looking forward to more.
Why Did I go back in time? That's why there's Coke and Pepsi! Aja, Pet Sounds, NASHVILLE SKYLINE, WOW! Not to mention Frank! And then Van! I can't stop laughing ........... You are a Hoot!
HAHA your "Story behind Aja" had me cracking up! Too funny! I do like most of that album though- but yeah the thing about hiring 57 different guitarists just to get a 2 second solo (and all the previous ones were probably fine) has always made me roll my eyes a little. Definitely a relic from a much more pretentious age of popular music.
Thank God, because so many you tubers were suggesting pet sounds, I was thinking buying it, but streaming it couldn't really convince me and now I am happy that I didn't 😅
Thanks for the video! Don't agree with some of your picks, but appreciate your point of view. Personally like The Nightfly, Aja and Nashville Skyline. By the way, the reason for the change in Dylan's voice on the album was he'd given up on smoking cigarettes for a bit during the making of the same. :)
Robert, all of those albums are amazing! (except for Some Girls, which sucks). My favorite songs are on the Easter Everywhere album (I can't get enough of that warbling sound!). I hope a remix will push that sound forward with more gain/volume.
@@davidl570 "I disagree that Some Girls sucks--I think it's one of their best. They became too hit and miss after that one." I was being cheeky. I was breaking our host's balls, by dumping on Some Girls, after he praised it, and I was slobbering over Easter Everywhere, after he complained about it. I actually agree with his assessments.
@@NoEgg4u Whoops! r/WHOOSH for me! Okay, I get what you mean now! (Although to be fair, that album still has its detractors--I'm not one of them though).
I always had a contentious issue with the publication title name of "Rolling Stone" magazine, as the title name seemed a blatant way for a print publication to associate themselves to a widely popular music group of the time, albeit the "s" in "Stones" was removed for the publication title name.
I love Steely Dan, but that opening bit was funny as hell😂 but yea their 70s output was all killer, no filler if you ask me. Musical geniuses that were ahead of their time, no question. That being said I had mixed feelings about Gaucho, and their 2 recent (recent as in 20 years ago) albums didn’t do much for me. With regards to Zappa, yes i totally get the criticism of the silly, often juvenile lyrics, but what makes it interesting is those ridiculous lyrics are often juxtaposed by genius (and I don’t often throw that word around, believe it or not) musicianship! I would argue that “Watermelon in Easter Hay” is easily, EASILY among the top 5 rock instrumentals of all time!! “Grand Wazoo” is great too!!
Nobody's referencing Zappa's more "commercial" records of the 1970s with great jazz players like George Duke, Jean Luc-Ponty, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Aynsley Dunbar, Terry Bozzio, Adrien Belew, Ruth Underwood. He got even more sleazy and offensive with Joe's Garage, but I think FZ authored some listenable but dense instrumental passages throughout all those records. Some really rockin solos too!
I enjoyed this video and I am glad you made it! Made me smile. Never had any thoughts about the write up inside the Aja cover as I never read it! I agree it is a waste of space (but I do love the album!). I never understood what so appealing was about Pet Sounds - I never liked the music of Beach Boys (I am so glad I am not the only one!). I have a sealed copy of the 11th floor…thanks to you I will never open!
I love Aja and The Nightfly, but I totally laughed my ass off at this whole video! 🤣 Great vid, man!
Medical help is available.
Just not from me.
Aja is an awesome piece of work.
Steely Dan is incredibly boring. A Handful of songs that actually move.
agree. both are great records
Aja is good but still overrated imo.
Absolutely love this guy. One of the freshest and most authentic voices in the vinyl community. And so unpretentious - dude doesn’t even use outer sleeves. The basement DIY vibe is fitting, but this guy needs a real show, perhaps with a co-host he can debate.
Thanks!!
@@RobertFithen hey Robert nice to meet you, just subscribed. What is the name of the Zappa channel you mention?
@@JCM-LedZeppelin-Stories ua-cam.com/users/calvinwazoo
It's not that he is unpretentious, it's that he has bad taste. That Donald Fagen album is very good (albeit dated sound) at least lyrically and I love the opening synth chords, the Van Morrison album is just stellar lyrically and sonically and shows Vans "detached" vocal style. Aja was a move away from rock n' roll and Wayne Shorter even makes an appearance. I agree, from a music consumer perspective, Pet Sounds is over-rated but according to an old school music arranger and producer we used to know(1970s?) from England, he said Pet Sounds was hugely influential -but mostly for the other producers - who nicked many techniques, don't ask me what as I don't know, and he said for a rock/pop album the chord, harmonies, and vocal arrangements are on another level. But lyrically, it appears like a simple pop album. He said even back then him and his colleagues considered some of Brian's stuff simply genius.
@@turntablesrockmyworld9315 Geez, and I even EXPLAINED what an opinion was at the beginning. Oh well.
“When you are in a situation where everyone is on drugs, you’ve got to have one person not on drugs.” Haha best quote ever
True shit. Daft Punk even once said "Never make music on MDMA - or high - because EVERYTHING sounds fucking good"
That impression of Van Morrison was spot on!
I think there is something wholesome about this. Everyone should experience their favourite album being trashed on UA-cam. Keep up the good work.
I agree, I always want to hear people bash Queen (one of my favourite bands).
But when it happens it's always just surface level stuff they rag on. They don't really dig deep into what they really hate about them. It's rather dissapointing, imo.
@@blutryforce762 I don't hate Queen, but I think they are hugely overrated.
@@andyboerger I agree, they are overrated. Especially with how much "We Will Rock You" and "We are the Champions" get played, I know people who like Queen but never want to hear those songs ever again.
One thing I don't like about Queen is that their live releases are absolute garbage, messing up the mastering by making it all congested, pitch correcting Freddie's voice and overdubbing everything. Their are loads of live bootlegs you can find on UA-cam and they sound incredible, better than anything Queen Productions has released.
Loved this ... Everything he says about Dylan is spot on . Gets it totally wrong on Astral Weeks tho !
I love the Dan, your description of the Aja album is hilarious because it’s not wrong. 😂
lol Great comment!
It feels like you just had to sit through the most snooty, pretentious party of your life and now that the guests have finally all left you can tell us how you really feel lol. Best video I’ve seen of yours lmao
Astral weeks is awesome because the musicians were totally winging it. Totally awesome album
I like it as well as well as Veedon Fleece
This video was killing me!!🤯 Aja is Easily one of my "Dessert Island albums" and Astral Weeks is my FAVORITE album ever and I had never even heard it until I was in my early thirties!!🤯🤣🤣
Yeah, the best part of Astral Weeks isn't even Van Morrison! It's the backup musicians!
What's even cooler is the fact that it was recorded in 2 days.
Van Morrison’s voice is absolutely grating.
LOOOOOOOL i watched 3 minutes with your Steely Dan "Aja" review and i am TOTALLY sold! Instant subscribe!!! Finally a vinyl youtuber who actually states their opinion and doesn't just blindly push records that everybody else loves!! Love it! ABOUT TIME.
Thanks!
I'll second that. Those first 3 minutes are blisteringly good. I'm in! ✌️
Or maybe he's just being a contrarian asshole.
1:18
I am one of those people who feel that both “Aja” and “The Nightfly” are absolute masterpieces. But I also have a sense of humor. That being said, your commentary on them both had me laughing to the point of hyperventilating. Great channel Robert, keep these videos coming!!!
Steely Dan is incredibly boring. A Handful of songs that actually move.
I put on Aja when I am getting dressed for a wedding. Gets me in the mood for a pretentious, boring, scripted evening.Sorry...Aja blows.
I agree with OP. Hysterical. The liner notes ARE a huge circle jerk. However, the album is so insanely great that you can (almost) understand why.
I don't think there's a band or artist on earth I hate more than Steely Dan/Donald Fagen. There's just nothing there but goofiness... every time I hear them I just start hating humanity. But, tastes vary, I reckon, sometimes widely. :)
Katy Lied is their best album.
Yes! Yes! YES! Finally someone on the same wavelength as me re Aja, Van Morrison and, best of all, Pet Sounds. Thank you, thank you, thank you. That is excellent. I'm so glad it's not just me.
And "sure, Jan" made me laugh out loud.
Great channel, thank you
I love Pet Sounds, but I can actually relate to the echo chamber of praise that it gets to the point that the myth of the album outshines the album itself. I'm young and write music, and I love Pet Sounds mainly for the way Brian uses the studio to create a thick, rich and dense sound, especially with all the different instruments. But I think it is dangerous to assume in some ways that the record did so much when it was, from what I've read, really kind of a flop and fell into relative obscurity for some time. But that leads to people saying it's ahead of it's time, but I can agree where you're coming from in some ways, especially with how some people talk about it, repeating cliches. Thanks for the video!
same mythologizing of the Velvet Underground's first album. It sold far less than even Pet Sounds, but is now considered one of, if not THE, most influential rock albums of all time.
And yet, what do we have if we strip away the myth? An album where the last two songs are complete wastes of time and gratingly annoying. A 'masterpiece' (Heroin) that keeps repeating itself so it could be about half as long, and a handful of wonderful songs, half of which are TRULY groundbreaking and the other half placed well within the work of their contemporaries. Are Sunday Morning and Femme Fatale ahead of their time? Not at all.
I remember once where a RS critic said 'The Velvet Underground invented the 70s'. This is nonsense. Led Zeppelin 'invented' the 70s if you are going to pin it down to one group. Jimmy Page's concept of 'light and shade' influenced way more music of that decade than the experimental avant garde amateurism of the VU.
I think the slervenotes on Aja may have been a satire or lampoon of proper jazz sleevenotes where they go in depth on each song. Love the videos. It's like you're my brother from another mother. I don't use outer sleeves either.
That’s my thought exactly, they were spoofing a typical jazz album. Nothing about SD should be taken too seriously. The record company president was probably in on the joke.
yes tho ----- something going on there methinks !
Interesting about the sleeve notes.. tongue inncheek?
I don’t use use outer sleeves either.
Nope...I just think Steely Dan were pretentious assholes.
That actually makes sense. Seems like a self-aware joke. If I had gotten this vinyl, I would have been extremely confused as I'm not a jazz head and wouldn't have known this.
The Aja gatefoldrant is hilarious. Astral weeks OmG! 😢
I love Steely Dan. Love Jazz and such a great line up of musicians on Aja (Asia). Aside from the juvenile musical opinion, I really didn’t pay attention to the liner notes and thinking of it that way. I saw it as a jazz record. Notes being the back of a The Blue Note or Dave Brubeck record. But you are so right on! It’s a giant circle j. Especially with the approval of the ABC Rec Pres. I’m about to repurchase the record on vinyl because I do love the music. I just now wish, the gatefold would update to reflect session pics or something revealing like Hendrix’s “Electric Ladyland”. I haven’t laughed this hard at a record review. You’ve earned my subscription. 😅
Astral Weeks Definitely needs a few listens. I hated it first listen, but I really got into it over lockdown. It's brilliant.
I liked it at first listen, but I definitely needed time to digest it before returning
This guy is hilarious when he's sharing honest takes about the stuff he doesn't like.
The commentary on Aja had me ROLLING!!!
I couldn't keep a straight face all through this. Also, it's refreshing to hear someone, other than myself, call Pet Sounds overrated. I tip my hat to you, Sir Robert 😃
I never bought the lp until the 90s And I must say it's a great LP ,I listened on my own terms,it's not best LP ever but a very good one ,in my opinion Never mind the bollocks is probably the the best rock LP I've ever heard,🇬🇧
I’ve always thought so. A few great tunes. Otherwise typical BB.
Pet Sounds, Astral Weeks, Aja, Nashville Skyline... I've had an absolutely identical list for decades now; it's almost eerie. For this reason alone, I'm subscribing!
I just recover from my first contact with your furor-fueled blitzkrieg against Nashville Skyline, Pet Sounds and Astral Weeks😂Eternal elements of my own Holy Grail! But I have to admit, that your words made me laugh, shout, cry and rethink one after another. Thanks for some fresh breeze in my mind🙋🏻♂️👍🏻And you won a new subscriber by this right now!
Great video Robert!! I can see why people get turned off by Pet Sounds. I remember saying as a kid that I'll never get into The Beach Boys, but I got curious about Pet Sounds, and I was at this weird headspace where I wanted to hear something real when I was 17, and I found myself loving it, especially the track, I Just Wasn't Made For These Times, with likes such as "They say I got brains, but they ain't doing me no good" and "Sometimes I feel very sad", being a loner growing up, it resonated with me. That's Not Me is another track that I resonated with, especially in high school where I felt that I had to change so much of myself just to fit in and have friends, but knowing that they things I had to like, the way I had to dress, just to blend in was not me at all. So I defend Pet Sounds on that basis, not with the whole same argument that its a masterpiece.
That actually makes sense and sounds believable.
What a review. I love alternate takes on albums that people have long gushed and fawned over. I got Pet Sounds as well and really didnt get they hype....
Another good video. I agree with you on "Astral Weeks" and "Pet Sounds". Can I add "London Calling"? I've really tried...
"London Calling" would make an incredible single disc.
Yes, please!
London Calling? No you can't.
I’m sorry dude. Maybe it’s a California thing, but I have literally listened to Pet sounds hundreds if not thousands of times. I love the lyrics, the music, everything about it. I grew up at the beach and surfed all the time. It soundtracked my childhood, my teenage years, my dating years, everything. The Beach Boys records that came before and after aren’t anywhere near it but I like them also. “Wouldn’t it Be Nice” is a great track but my favorite will always be “God Only Knows.” My other favorites by the them are Smiley Smile and Surf’s Up.
Yeah but what about those of us that didn’t grow up at the beach & who don’t love surfing ???
Yeah, exactly. THE Most Over-Rated Album Of All Time.
It isnt even about surfing though
@@morrits3969 No but they ARE surfers.
@@morrits3969 im talking about the Beach Boys in general. I know that specific album isn’t about surfing but they are synonymous with surf culture and their music is so ubiquitous in beach towns in California.
I love that album too, and quite a few others here. He’s just hilariously angry. Embrace it, enjoy it, and don’t take it too seriously. He’s great.
I like all those albums but I love hearing your opinion because you're so passionate about it 🔥
I've never heard of the 13th Floor Elevators. Now I feel compelled to listen to that cd you showed so I can hear that crazy sound you were doing 🤣.
I love pet sounds (mostly for Sloop John B and God Only Knows), and I'm also a big fan of the channel... there's still a few of us here, lol.
It's nice to know some people still have a sense of humor.
A year late but you made me laugh about one of my favorite albums...Aja....stood in line in isla vista the day it came out and haven't stopped listening 45 years later...you are a hoot and keep it up!
Great video! You never fail to make me laugh and I mean that in a good way. I agree with your album choices but I must admit, I got a little nervous when I saw Some Girls on the pile. And I too, can't understand the fascination with Pet Sounds. I think it's a good album but not a great album. I think if Paul McCartney wasn't such a fan of the album, we wouldn't be talking about it so much today. And with all the work that Brian Wilson put into it, why such a crappy album cover? The band feeding goats? Wow. I had never listened to The 13th Floor Elevators until just now on UA-cam. Your video peaked my curiosity and I agree. That bubbly sound is definitely annoying. But your impression of it is hilarious! Keep up the good work!
That sound form 13th Floor Elevators is a guy blowing into a jug that is somehow "electrified".
I love some of these things, and I also love when someone is honest about their real opinions! Many of the artists you are "dissing" did the same to others. And so it goes. No harm done!
I think Lou Reed hated everything at one point!
I didn’t agree with all of your opinions but that’s life. At least you’re on here talking about records. Pet Sounds though I take exception with though. I have a distinct memory of my friend right before she got engaged listening to this twice in a row on repeat just holding each other. So some of the songs like Don’t Talk (put your head on my shoulder), God Only Knows and Caroline No have special places in my heart. Hands down my favorite album. I’m not high on Sloop John B but such is life. Even if I don’t agree with your takes hopefully you keep dishing them out.
Thank you for saying what I have always thought about Pet Sounds! Well produced but forgettable music that is somehow revered by people. Have listened many times thinking I must be missing something but always come away disappointed. Right on about Astral Weeks. Van Morrison brings new meaning to the word piercing. Totally agree with you on Zappa and his disposable music.
I just found your channel a couple of days ago and I LOVE IT! State your opinions ALWAYS! You are a breath of fresh air. And while I dont always agree with you,I will always listen to your opinions. I am along for the ride to wherever it takes me. Peace
Thanks!!
"Lay Lady Lay" is the ONLY Dylan song that shows off a descent voice.
Love the video, you crack me up, but some of your musical taste has got me scratching my head.
Dylan can sing when he wants to. Nashville Skyline proved that. But his singing voice was hilariously horrible on the Traveling Wilburys track "Congratulations"! 😂😂 That song is one of my favorite tracks on "Volume 1".
Lay Lady Lay is one of his best, but "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" is another great easy relaxed Dylan vocal, not one where he's trying to "do Bob Dylan" - he just is Bob Dylan.
What about his ascent voice?
Decent....Sorry, I've never liked Dylan's voice.
@@davidmartin1455 I don't get off on being a pedant, but I totally agree with your comment about Dylan.
agree mostly. Bought a new vinyl copy of Aja- sold it a couple of weeks later........what's was the hype all about?
Absolutely agree about Pet Sounds. When you have people obsessing about letting you know what a genius someone is, red flags just go up. It gets repeated over and over and the only “proof” offered is in how people characterize Brian Wilson. A “genius” grading doesn’t make much difference when the music just doesn’t sound good. That “knowledge” really does not help.
Many of the people obsessing are big artist themselves
Pet Sounds fanatics/ Beach Boys fanatics are like Beatles fanatics. Forever loved by overweight hippies who are still stoned and have zero fashion sense.
Pet Sounds is my favourite album ever, but I still love ya Rob. Personally, the album just speaks so much to me and my own mental problems and my teenage heartbreak. 'tis only opinion - I personally strongly dislike, say, AC/DC, KISS, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles and so forth. heck, I'm not too fond of Zeppelin either. but that's my opinion, I won't let you guys not enjoy their music. most overrated personally I'd pick Back in Black. but I think you have a point with the issue of people saying things are good bc they get told they're good. case in point once again those bands I mentioned. I don't understand how someone who isn't 8 years old or younger can enjoy AC/DC.
A girl I went to high school with had the name Aja. Caught your video from today about the $150 reissue. I had to come back to this and see what happened. You didn't disappoint in this video.
Trolling the trolls or the people skimming is hilarious
Was she Asian like the girl on the cover, by chance?
Aja one of the greatest albums ever made, but dude you are hilarious. lol. have you thought about doing some stand up improv at the local comedy club? There's a new band comin out called The Tidepool Boys, heard their gonna release their first album soon, 'Pete Sounds'. a little stand up lol.
Pet sounds is incredibly awesome
And Jann wasn’t behind the Pet Sounds Sessions Box set….if I recall, It was Mark Linett. He was actually behind the 90’s Beach Boys 2-for-1 CD’s, and that included the Pet Sounds Album (which was not issued As Part of the 2-for-1’s). “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, while a great song, is NOT the standout track on Pet Sounds…It’s “God Only Knows”, the Carl Wilson sung ballad.
And here’s what Pet Sounds influenced: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. (Without Rubber Soul and Revolver, there would be no Pet Sounds, and therefore no Pet Sounds, no Sgt. Pepper.)
I believe I went over all of that in the video (or maybe it was a different video). The main point was the extremely suspicious fact that "Pet Sounds" never moves from the #2 spot on RS Top Albums, while EVERY OTHER album goes up and down the numbers. Somehow, "Pet Sounds" remains firmly in place. From what I have learned Jann Wenner is behind this. There is an unconfirmed popular rumor (which is why I didn't mention it, specifically) that it is one of a very low number of albums that he actually owns part of and gets a cut of sale. This is why he also was part of the creation of that box set. People can like it personally, but there's no denying it has quite an overblown history.
Had to bite my tongue through this one hahaha! It felt like the kind of debate you'd get into hanging out with buddies, and that one friend knows EXACTLY which buttons to push to rile you up - so good dude! Respectfully disagree with a lot of your opinions, but that's why they're opinions
Also, here's me not biting my tongue haha!
I pretty much stuck to my Mum and Dad's collection growing up (AC/DC, Eagles, Motorhead, Fleetwood Mac, Rush etc) so I had a perception of both groups that was only based on their early work. The Beatles were just white guys playing watered down R&B music, The Beach Boys were white guys playing similar music, set to the theme of a surfing trend.
Because of these perception issues (psychologist would have a field day), I never really explored either until I decided to listen to every Beatles album back to back over a couple of days. I actually couldn't even believe it! The progression felt subtle enough between each record to follow their process along in a logical way, but the difference between early and late stuff is unbelievable. It never occurred to me to skip down the timeline to listen to some of the later works for some reason, and I felt like both (and all) their eras complemented each other. From then on, and still now, if you suggest me an artist to check out, I start from the beginning and work all the way up their studio albums.
This is exactly what happened with the Beach Boys. I always heard they were 'The American Beatles' so wanted to do the same for their albums too. And yes, I did listen through alllllll of them eventually, whether I wanted to or not haha! I feel their early stuff is the same as the Beatles in many ways, boy meets girl etc, empty lyrics with no real meaning. The first time I heard Pet Sounds I had to really stop what I was doing and follow the words along. Caroline No and I Just Wasn't Made... are as poignant and thought provoking as Help!, Girl or most of those mid-era Beatles bits. The words just really resonated me at that particular time, feeling like a child out of time...
From there it lead me to listen to both the acapella and instrumental versions of Pet Sounds, and really opened the doors for critical listening. Tuning your ear into different instruments playing their separate parts, and then re-listening to the work as a whole and hearing how they all work together. The same with vocal harmony, which I have to say, is my favourite thing about any and all music regardless of genre. The way different voices sound together is just magical.
So the short version is, I both blame and praise Pet Sounds for a perception shift in my brain. Not only for critical listening to music (which has allowed me to re-listen to all my favourite records again for the first time) but for a newly found love for discovering records I've set to one side without giving a chance.
God Only Knows, you’ll have to admit, is a great song, along with Wouldn’t It Be Nice.
Thanks Robert another great video! I can listen to you rant about Pet Sounds all day! I feel the same way about that album. Your 13th Floor Elevators description is classic!
Pet Sounds is not as bad as Smile and Smiley Smile, so I will give it that. On a separate note, Good Vibrations is a fantastic record by The Wrecking Crew, even better than most of their Monkees stuff.
@Beau Lijah The electric jug was a nuisance, for sure. Why they allowed that is beyond my understanding.
@Beau Lijah You're Gonna Miss Me is also the name of a very well-done documentary about Roky Erickson. Very insightful and quite sad at times (the guy had some serious mental issues). Netflix has it---I recommend!
Robert, us how you really feel. I couldn’t agree more with you on some of this.Zappa, Aja etc but likely would never voice that opinion in a crowded room, especially full of trained musicians. It’s an Emperors new clothes situation. I feel the same way about most contemporary art. I no comprehend. Thanks for another fun ride.
This video randomly popped up in my feed. I had several good laughs watching this. Good to hear some honest opinions. I’ve got Pet Sounds on my shelf because it’s supposed to be such a classic. I’ve never made it through listening to the entire album. Now maybe once every couple of years I put it on and listen Wouldn’t It Be Nice before putting it back on the shelf. Aja was the other album I never liked. Thought I must have poor taste or I wasn’t hip enough to get it. Definitely will be checking out more of your videos
Thanks!!
Best Fucking Chanel Ever! Finally an honest reviewer that speaks from the guts, Fucking Refreshing!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for your comments on Van Morrison. I've been hearing about how revolutionary and amazing he is for 40 years, and I couldn't agree with you more. If I go to hell I expect to hear nothing but Van Morrison and REM 24/7.
I love R.E.M. Not sure what struck you wrong with their music.
If it's REM 24/7, send me to hell!
HAHHAHHAHHhaHAHHAHhaHAH. I love Aja. I also love to read about the big jizz fest type gatefold stores. HAHHahHAhaH. Made me laugh thou. I however hate The Nightfly. Was nice to hear your reflection on Pet Sounds as well.......
i don’t know how many times i’ve watched this but i crack up every time. This is the best! MORE!
Hey, my name starts with a Z!!! :)
In defense of Uncle Meat: what you were talking about is the CD reissue. Zappa added the long film excerpts in the 80s. Probably thinking that the film will never see the light. This is what I advise to everyone who hates this album for the long dialogs: listen through disc 1, and start disc 2 at track 4. (That was the original LP tracklist.) It becomes a very solid album with many of his concert staples.
Yeah, I can see how the dirty lyrics was the reason Zappa was an icon, especially that he did fight taboos. But here in Europe I think his fans are more interested in his music.
Van Morrison is another one I don't agree with. I find the stripped down musical accompaniment beautiful. But hey, that's OK, we don't have to agree. I always enjoy when people explain why they hate what I like. It's not good to live in a bubble.
Exactly
If that's the Rykodisc CD transfer of Uncle Meat, then it won't help that it's a horrible sounding disc. Headache-inducing, despite Frank himself being at the helm. But the later CD issues are wonderful. As is the vinyl release. Probably won't convert anyone who isn't a fan, but it might help people in the middle form a more positive opinion of this 'challenging' album : )
Great video. Thanks!
Wow...your channel brings me back to the late 80s when I worked at a Vinyl record store in upstate NY that was legendary for having a giant animal head mounted on the store whose owner also had the nick name. He would play various albums and give his takes on them and customers would get into conversations about music..Sans the CDs this really brings me back.
I’m so with you on this. Take that blowing into a teapot on 13th Floor Elevators. I bought it and everyone said it was so good - wtf is that bubbly thing I just don’t get it. Hated it! Great video I laughed the entire way through. Brilliant and so entertaining. None of these were anywhere my UA-cam top 10
Thanks!!
It's an electric jug. No joke, they're a psychedelic jug band. I like them, but totally understand why others don't
I can't stop laughing! Skimming through this 13th Floor Rubbish! You are right, It would be listenable without that stupid noise throughout.
Robert, this is the very first video I’ve watched from you and I’m now a fan for life. Why? Because for over 50 years, I’ve been puzzled and perplexed on why “Pet Sounds” is considered a friggin’ masterpiece and on some lists, the greatest album of all time! Now, don’t get me started on “Smile”, another head scratcher.
SMILE wasn't even released so it must have been so much better than Pet Sounds that it would have disrupted the space time continuum if it came out in the 60s. [literally a fire broke out a few blocks away while they were recording a song about fire and Brian Wilson's drug paranoia decided it was an omen and not just a coincidence and that's why he shelved the project lol)
They are both considered masterpieces because they are great pieces of art. I mean, some of the best producing and songwriting ever.
I just watched this classic rant again. So spot on, it just kills me. 😂
lol Repeat viewings. That's high praise. Thanks!
LOL this was great! I bought Pet Sounds because it was listed as one of the "greatest" and "most influential" records of all time. I think I've listened to it once or twice. Loved the way you threw Some Girls into the middle, lol. With Uncle Meat, if your experience is solely with the CD version, only the CD version has that long-assed monologue that makes no sense and is irritating to listen to, and which I skip over every time. The reason it's there is because all the original music from the vinyl, when put on CD, comes out to 1 minute and 30 seconds (or something like that) longer than what a single CD can contain. So Frank opted to add the ridiculous monologue (which came from the film that was never finished) and release it on 2 CDs. The vinyl release does not have that shit on it. Uncle Meat has one of the greatest compositions Frank ever wrote - King Kong.
If I were to make a similar video, I'd be showing anything by Radiohead, and "Loveless" by MBV. Everyone loves these - I just don't get it. And you know me, I love some weird shit.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the man who made me dislike Frank Zappa! lol
"Before they make me run" best song on Some Girls. My introduction to the Stones at 14.
Wish I could like this video twice!! Your takes are spot on!! Love people who are honest!! Aja is a great stiffener for shipping good albums. Hope all is well with you!! Have a great week!! Jon
Thanks!!
I agree with you about Astral Weeks. I don’t know why most people have such a hard on for it!
I'm sorry you can't appreciate Pet Sounds. People go on about God Only Knows yes a classic but 'Wouldn't it be nice' and 'Sloop John B' are magnificent in terms of harmonies. 'Don't Talk (put your head on my shoulder)' and 'You Still Believe in Me' are two of Brian Wilsons most under-rated tunes, they are both beautiful and I love the arrangements. The two instrumentals 'Lets go away for a while' and 'Pet sounds' are also beautiful. 'Caroline No' is a great tune with a great vocal from Brian. As for the others . My fav non Brian on this is 'Here Today' which is a classic too imho. The other tunes are all well done too. If you don't like an album that's fine but music is subjective. I personally feel pet sounds is an all time classic
Music is subjective? Hence, the "you may love but I don't" in the video title.
@@RobertFithen understood :)
I want to talk about that rubber soul comment and the Beatles “not being worried about The Beach Boys” the the three albums The Beach Boys released in 1965 peaked at #2 #4 and #6 in the US billboard top 200. Of course rubber soul peaked at number 1 but saying that they weren’t worried about The Beach Boys during that time is a huge understatement.
I find your description of Steely Dan's Aja hilarious, but in all seriousness, besides the lyrics-its musically a very solid album.
It's refreshing to see someone think outside the box. I like most of those albums, but I have a lot of the same issues with some of the covers, the liner notes, some songs, that a lot of people overrate albums so much... Oh man, the perfect record isn't exists. A lot of vinyl collectors are too extreme, too aggressive, too fanatical about specific albums. It's okay to love records, but sometimes it's boring to see the same albums on those "best of" lists on Rolling Stone, Spin, Billboard, Pitchfork, Hit Parader, Metal Hammer, etc.
Aja is a brilliant album. Steely Dan stretched out on this album. It is also one of the best sounding recorded albums in rock history. Amazing sound and brilliant music
i did enjoy the fresh take. But the vinyl IS pretentious artwork. Not sure if it was intended to be parody in the first place though...apparently the "humor" was missed on some of us lol. I agree actually that they had a missed opportunity to include more artwork. I did like Deacon Blues..but yeah...lyric wise...the album isnt their strongest. But then again i never really listened to Steely Dan...or Kiss for lyrics.😂
Love the video Robert! Your Revolver rant was epic by the way. I wish they would stop remixing Beatles Albums. Anyhoo I digress. Happy days brother.
I couldn't disagree more about The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds," Van Morrison's "Astral Weels" and Bob Dylan's "Nashville Skyline." "Pet Sounds" and "Astral Weeks" are two of the greatest albums ever made, and if you want to know why I love "Pet Sounds" it's in the creativity off Brian Wilson's vocal and instrumental arrangements and the magi spell they create. And if you think Paul McCartney was being facetious when he told the other Beatles that "Pet Sounds" was the greatest rock album released to that date and they were going to have to work their asses off to top it (which they did with "Revolver"), listen to McCartney songs like "Back in the U.S.S.R." and "The Black Seat of My Car" where his love for The Beach Boys is obvious. I get the impression you don't like jazz very much because at least two of the albums you trashed, "Astral Weeks" and Steely Dan's "Aja," are strongly jazz-influenced and that seems to be one of the aspects of them that bother you most. (That may be one of the reasons you don't like Frank Zappa's "Hot Rats" either.) I wouldn't rate "Nashville Skyline" at the level of "Pet Sounds" or "Astral Weeks" but it was a refreshing new direction for Dylan, who proved he could make a great album without doing social comment or surrealistic imagery. He explained the change in the sound of his voice on "Nashville Skyline" by saying he had just quit smoking when he made it. "Nashville Skyline" made it cool for hippies to like country music in general and Johnny Cash in particular. BTW, "Lay Lady Lay" was originally written as the theme for the movie "Midnight Cowboy," but because. Dylan didn't finish it in time the filmmakers ended up using Harry Nilsson's cover of Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'" instead (and one of the biggest ironies of Nilsson's career is that he was a sensational songwriter in his own right but the biggest hit of his career was a cover). But I respect you enough to have tried to be thoughtful and intelligent in my comments instead of railing against you and calling you an [expletive deleted].
After your long rant, Pet Sounds still sucks.
@@johnnyd63 I bought the "Pet Sounds" album**, and later the single with "God Only Knows" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice" on each side. I played "Pet Sounds" about five times over the last few years, but the single a lot more. Apart from the two great tracks and the great cover song (which I already had as a single), I thought the rest was filler. ** Because I read that Paul McCartney had given each of his children a copy of the album because he believed that nobody's musical education is complete until they've heard Pet Sounds.
You're so funny ! I liked a number of these albums at one time. Aja when it came out (I was 19). Pet sounds during my pregnancy (40) Astral weeks during the lockdown. But I get what you're saying and can see where you're at. Also I had to laugh because I remember my brother and his friends were really into Zappa, especially the "yellow snow" bit. I think we go through phases with music, but I got a kick out of this video.
Couldn't agree with you more on "Pet Sounds". I had a copy in my collection for years 'cause everybody was saying it's a masterpiece... never listened to it myself. Finaly, I sold it on Ebay couple of months ago. "Overrated" would be an understatement..!! 😄😄
Frank Zappa is absolute crap too.
Holy shit, I'm a full five minutes in and I haven't stopped laughing. This guy is great. Just popped up on my algo.
"Pet Sounds" is generally considered one of the most influential albums in music history, it even impressed Paul McCartney. The music is very intricate and nuanced. The instrumentation, the melodies, the lyrics, the vocals....
Uncle Meat and Pet Sounds are among my favourite albums... But I really enjoyed your enthusiasm. Cool vid!
By the way, how much do you hate Trout Mask Replica?
To the point where I have a difficult time believing people who say they like it. Lol
@@RobertFithen I love it, but I get why people don't. I wouldn't bust it out at a party unless I didn't want to be there
Thank You....for decades I have listened to people tell me that Pet Sounds was genius. I have not nor will I ever understand why people drool over this album. Credit where it belongs...God Only Knows...is a great song, as for the rest of it..pass! I personally put it down to herd mentality, similar to FOMO, everyone else likes it so I must think it's great. For not drinking the Cool Aid you deserve the sub. Look forward to more " I will think for myself" videos in the future.
Hahaha wonderful! Despite the fact that I don't agree with a couple of albums, I loved the spirit of it, like Generation X, a lot of balls, and that the Millenials and the entire generation of crystal are offended. CONGRATS!!!
Pet Sounds is my favorite album - but I can get why some people don’t like it. It took me five or six listens before it clicked with me. I just “feel” those songs (though not a “Sloop John B” fan). All the fans I know spend hours on the boards talking about the minutiae of each song. The Cello’s and Tympani on “Don’t Talk” while Brian sings about the most relatable thing in a relationship, to “I may not always love you…” “I keep looking for a place to fit in…” The best vinyl version is the AP Stereo 45, followed by Steve Hoffman’s DCC. The twofer is good - but the 1980 Green Label Capitol is better - as is the single Brown Label. I like Aja ok - but love your take. I was cracking up so much! I had no idea about the Some Girls album covers. I never liked that album.
Same here. My ears weren't ready for it. Once I developed my symphonic ear, I came to love it.
Pet Sounds was great because the Beach Boys finally stopped singing about surfing and hot rods. The six albums that followed are excellent as well.
Thank you - I've been looking for Lay Lady Lay and what album the track is on.
AJA = Awesome.
ZAPPA = Awesome.
Can't say I disagree "too much" with the rest though (other than Pet Sounds)
* And hey, LOVE that classic Scotch VHS T-shirt! Killer.
M
⚡
You are spot on with your critique... I am not a fan of Steely Dan or Van Morrison regardless of any albums they recorded.
Funny Show, love it. Pet Sounds is as relevant to the advancement of music as Rolling Stone is to music magazines, which is to say, not at all. Both are completely overrated.
Why Frank Zappa was declared a genius is inexplicable to me. His "art" usually got on my nerves. But all this is only my opionion. Abuses and insults please keep.
I prefer Zappa Plays Zappa, if that's any indication of how I feel about it all.
Thanks for mentioning Rolling Stone, influence on popular culture was vast-and harmful.
That's because what they mostly did for many years was to spotlight & hype (over & over) a small list of mainstream big-budget acts (many of whom the founder/publisher was pals with) while consistently ignoring innovative music on small labels.
Repeatedly overhyping the same celebrities while repeatedly ignoring innovative & fresh talent-that was their gig.
Rolling Stone taught me that if you wish to be surprised by an art form you must ignore the mainstream "authorities" & search & experience things for yourself.
(If Zappa was overrated, he was, being a cult figure, overrated on such a small scale that he couldn't be as annoying as others-he didn't clog up the airwaves (or Rolling Stone). For that reason, I tend to be more annoyed by acts like, say, Bon Jovi or Pat Benatar.)
I love Van Morrison Especially things like Moondance and his best of album but totally agree with you about Astral weeks. Maybe it's too sophisticated for me but I think it's not very accessible.
I'm with you, even some albums I love (Nashville Skyline) but Astral Weeks and Pet Sounds are top tier.
😂 I totally relate to your opinion of 13th floor elevators! Finally! Someone else hears that and calls it out!
I've never heard Zappa's music or cared to explore it I just like how he fought against music censorship.
One aspect to consider with regards to the albums on the retailers' shelves: How much artistic control did the performers on the albums have? I say that since the music perfomers/singers were under _contract_ with the record companies; where there are layers of management and decision makers processes the product goes through before it is packaged and placed on retailers' shelves.
Some of the stuff we see as the end products with record albums could have the decision making from the VP of Artists and Repertoire [A&R] of the record company label.
My God, I haven’t laughed so much in ages. Just finished this video & thoroughly enjoyed it though I didn’t agree with everything. Actaully I really like Aja & have been a Zappa fan for over 50 years. However I will agree with your take on Uncle Meat, Weasels & Burnt Weenie. And Pet Sounds? Nah. You’re definitely the entertainer-looking forward to more.
Thanks!!
Why Did I go back in time? That's why there's Coke and Pepsi! Aja, Pet Sounds, NASHVILLE SKYLINE, WOW! Not to mention Frank! And then Van! I can't stop laughing ........... You are a Hoot!
Just watched this today. Your Aja criticism had me rolling.
HAHA your "Story behind Aja" had me cracking up! Too funny! I do like most of that album though- but yeah the thing about hiring 57 different guitarists just to get a 2 second solo (and all the previous ones were probably fine) has always made me roll my eyes a little. Definitely a relic from a much more pretentious age of popular music.
Thank God, because so many you tubers were suggesting pet sounds, I was thinking buying it, but streaming it couldn't really convince me and now I am happy that I didn't 😅
That's what I'm here for. Lol
Thanks for the video! Don't agree with some of your picks, but appreciate your point of view. Personally like The Nightfly, Aja and Nashville Skyline. By the way, the reason for the change in Dylan's voice on the album was he'd given up on smoking cigarettes for a bit during the making of the same. :)
Got to this video a little late. Really enjoyed it! Your opinion is always entertaining and valid to me Robert! Rock on!!
Robert, all of those albums are amazing! (except for Some Girls, which sucks).
My favorite songs are on the Easter Everywhere album (I can't get enough of that warbling sound!). I hope a remix will push that sound forward with more gain/volume.
🤣
I disagree that Some Girls sucks--I think it's one of their best. They became too hit and miss after that one.
@@davidl570 "I disagree that Some Girls sucks--I think it's one of their best. They became too hit and miss after that one."
I was being cheeky.
I was breaking our host's balls, by dumping on Some Girls, after he praised it, and I was slobbering over Easter Everywhere, after he complained about it.
I actually agree with his assessments.
@@NoEgg4u Whoops! r/WHOOSH for me! Okay, I get what you mean now! (Although to be fair, that album still has its detractors--I'm not one of them though).
You were right about 13th floor elevators i just got them up on Spotify as i had not heard them before and thats exactly how they sound 🤣🤣
I always had a contentious issue with the publication title name of "Rolling Stone" magazine, as the title name seemed a blatant way for a print publication to associate themselves to a widely popular music group of the time, albeit the "s" in "Stones" was removed for the publication title name.
I love Steely Dan, but that opening bit was funny as hell😂 but yea their 70s output was all killer, no filler if you ask me. Musical geniuses that were ahead of their time, no question. That being said I had mixed feelings about Gaucho, and their 2 recent (recent as in 20 years ago) albums didn’t do much for me.
With regards to Zappa, yes i totally get the criticism of the silly, often juvenile lyrics, but what makes it interesting is those ridiculous lyrics are often juxtaposed by genius (and I don’t often throw that word around, believe it or not) musicianship! I would argue that “Watermelon in Easter Hay” is easily, EASILY among the top 5 rock instrumentals of all time!! “Grand Wazoo” is great too!!
Nobody's referencing Zappa's more "commercial" records of the 1970s with great jazz players like George Duke, Jean Luc-Ponty, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Aynsley Dunbar, Terry Bozzio, Adrien Belew, Ruth Underwood. He got even more sleazy and offensive with Joe's Garage, but I think FZ authored some listenable but dense instrumental passages throughout all those records. Some really rockin solos too!
I enjoyed this video and I am glad you made it! Made me smile.
Never had any thoughts about the write up inside the Aja cover as I never read it! I agree it is a waste of space (but I do love the album!).
I never understood what so appealing was about Pet Sounds - I never liked the music of Beach Boys (I am so glad I am not the only one!).
I have a sealed copy of the 11th floor…thanks to you I will never open!
Does an unopened album really exist? 11th floor?
The lyrics and vocal harmonies of Pet Sounds are appealing.
Love your unadulterated tangents and exaggerated personality. Makes your reviews engaging and interesting. Too many people take this stuff seriously.
I have no love or any of these albums. This was a lot of fun. Any chance for a sequel video?
Thanks!! At one point, yes.
Love Nashville Skyline & Pet Sounds, agree with you on everything else. Yep I’m still watching 🤣🤣Still love your videos Robert. “Aussie Vinyl Guy”. 🙏