What is greatest music album of all time? | Rick Rubin and Lex Fridman
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- Опубліковано 12 кві 2022
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Rick Rubin is one of the greatest music producers of all time, working with many of the greats including Beastie Boys, Eminem, Metallica, LL Cool J, Kanye West, Slayer, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Dixie Chicks, Aerosmith, Adele, Danzig, Red Hot Chili Peppers, System of a Down, Jay-Z, Black Sabbath.
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“It’s too fun” that’s what I love about Beach Boys/Pet Sounds specifically, because it’s actually a terrifically sad song imagining a future that will probably never exist but it sounds so sweet and innocent. Like the Mike Love character says in Love and Mercy “even the happy songs are sad”
I find Hey Ya to be a very similar song, you get people smiling and dancing but when you really look at what the song is about its a insanely sad.
It's only fun if you're not listening very closely. I think there's a nightmarish quality to many of their songs.
@@shamusenright5387 I 100% agree. I think their fans must be ignoring a fundamental aspect of Beach Boys music if they think it is just happy good time California Beach rock. The melodies and lyrics on their own are actually upbeat and easy going but the harmonies add an unmistakable demonic feel to many of their songs that makes me completely uninterested in listening to them.
I will say Kudos to Lex for throwing the White Album in the conversation. I'm thankful he didn't make a case for Sgt. Pepper as does every other music fan who actually knows nothing about music. They are the same people who say that Citizen Kane was the greatest film of all time and swear that Ulysses by James Joyce is the best book ever written even though they probably never read it.
Personally I rank Beatles Rubber Soul as greatest album of all time followed by Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here. But I certainly won't argue with White Album being in the conversation.
@@chriskennedy2846 Yes. When they hit certain chords it’s as if the sun’s gone behind the clouds.
It's a stupid criticism: "It's too fun". Why shouldn't music be fun?
It's not "too fun" - it's melancholy as hell. There is extreme existential weight beneath the surface beauty.
Exactly, that’s why it’s so powerful- pet sounds hooks you in with the dreamy pop but once you really digest the lyrical content, you’re in some deep territory that’s in opposition to what it initially sounds to be
That's fun
Wonder if he’s just thinking that the instrumentation sounds “fun”. I’m a little baffled by how myopic the appraisal of “it’s too fun!” Is. Just the deceptive brilliance of the key modulations in a song like “God Only Knows”, for example, are so rich and interesting. Brian Wilson is a genius
exactly. this man communicated he does not understand the album at all in just three words
Exactly. We have been conditioned through 50 years of pop culture to look back on it as fun and fluff when we hear those Beach Boys vocal harmonies. Sadly, most people need to deconstruct that bias in order to hear what the Beach Boys were really achieving musically, even in their earlier work.
Pet Sounds is a masterpiece
I honestly think _Smile_ (The Smile Sessions) is just as good, if not better, than _Pet Sounds._
If it had been released after Pet Sounds, when it was originally supposed to (around 1967), I think it would be viewed in the same way that people view _Pet Sounds,_ as well as The Beatles’ _Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, The White Album, & Abbey Road…_
Where, everyone agrees that it’s one of the Greatest, most revolutionary Albums of all time.
But, since we didn’t really get _The Smile Sessions_ until 2011… it’s hard to compare it to an Album like _Pet Sounds._
@@CipherSerpico yup
I don't get it. Please help me.
@@kathleenhandron3092 I mean they barely made another album after it though
@@kathleenhandron3092 Mainly just Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson worshipped “Rubber Soul.”
Peter Schikeley did a show on Pet Sounds. He convinced me it was a great album, so I went out and bought it. The mono version. Put on the headphones and I liked some of it, but not all of it. Listened to it for about a year, and then one day, it just hit. From then on, it's always been in my top ten albums of all time. Other albums come and go, but that one stays. The vulnerability is right on. It's relatable. Asher's lyrics are true. And the music is unsurpassed. by the Beatles or any other group. Brian is Mozart/Bach level genius.
Couldn’t agree more, heard it years ago, was like meh, I understand why but wasn’t for me. And boom, one day, just hit, have listened to a song from it everyday since. Been about 2 years now.
nah abbey road or the white album is clearly better lennon and mccartney were even bigger music geniuses than brian wilson he started crying once he found out about sgt pepper 😂✌️
@@michaelsevilla3697 as much as I love the Beatles,lennon and McCartney relied heavily on each other and George Martin when it came to making songs,Brian did basically it all by himself
@@michaelsevilla3697 "clearly better" makes absolutely zero sense.
"Pet Sounds" is one of the most moving albums I've ever heard. One of the best achievements in music (imo, of course). Obviously, the following cannot be true, but it's one of those albums where it feels like "this was made for me directly". The only thing that is even more special to me is "Smile", also by the Beach Boys.
@@rhythmsteve that’s possible
I completely agree with this take. To me: "SMiLE" is the greatest album... all the songs are there... and it's a BRILLIANT journey.
I had my wedding wedding dance to wouldn’t it be nice. That song just transports me every time. Always has. Special stuff
I feel like the world still isn’t ready for Smile 50+ years later
@@shecklesmack9563 that is a tough listen.
There’s nothing more fascinating to a drummer than drum parts written by a non-drummer. You have to admire what Brian came up with, and how the Wrecking Crew brought it to life.
Then you will find my drum parts VERY fascinating ;)
Carol Kaye is brilliant on that album.
@@grizelda4526 🤗
That geetar player named Glen was pretty good in the Wrecking Crew
@@bobbafett1849 that particular geetar player can make me weep like a baby instantly.
It’s just so clean. It doesn’t waste any time. Moving from feeling to feeling without lingering. It’s so simple and playful and catchy but so orchestral with those deep bass hits and vocal harmonies. The lyrics capture that pure feeling of falling in love and hating the minute you have to part. Soaking in every second with the person you love. The pop quality masking the pain. There’s just nothing lacking. Danced to this as our first dance at our wedding and have a good cry most times I hear it.
Music, as a subjective experience, is one of the few things in life that never disappoints.
Agreed. I always say humanity is only reaching its true potential in two areas; music and weapons.
@@EdwardSedgwick83 medicine?
@@SOC675 It is amazing, agreed. But not even close to its potential, when you consider its accessibility to millions of people around the globe.
You must have never heard Baby Shark
@@Smitty_Werbenjagermanjenson 😂 Unfortunately I have. That takes nothing away from the ocean of amazing music at my fingertips.
I'd argue the only song that could fit into the "too fun" category is Wouldn't It Be Nice, but even that song still has a longing quality to it.The album is actually pretty sad when you read the lyrics, which I love. Not very many mainstream pop albums before Pet Sounds were so moody, contemplative, and melancholic. Idk, to each their own, but songs like I Just Wasn't Made For These Times, That's Not Me, and especially Caroline, No are all very sad imo.
what about sloop john b? thats probably the only song i would consider "too fun" on the album, which makes sense since its a folk song that brian didnt write himself.
You can see the order of magnitude between Rick and Lex’s emotional understanding of music and the different pathways it accesses.
Lex, likes what he likes.
Rick see’s it like someone who understands the human response to music.
Ha it’s like a kid talking to a king fu master.
But Rick also was encouraging Lex to look deeper.
Song is literally about a sexual relationship with an underage girl, yes what magnitude of emotional understanding he shows, what a great man
You can tell Lex doesn’t play music or doesn’t understand what goes in to making music.
@@moonandantarctica2 love is love
Watching Rick Rubin listen to music = visual ASMR (the thing I didn't know I needed)
Brian Wilson is amazing and one of the best creatives of his time, people forget that the beatles made sgt peppers because paul and john said they were inspired by pet sounds.
Also… Brian Wilson made Pet Sounds because of Rubber Soul.
But did damn near everything on his own. Vocal arrangements,music production ect..
Most of Paul's songs are near rip-offs of Brian's music, especially Backseat of My Car.
@@zootsoot2006 1. Having vocal harmonies that are similar to another Artist’s vocal harmonies-does not make that song a “ripoff”.
Being _influenced_ by someone, is not the same thing as _plagiarizing_ someone else’s work.
“Back Seat of My Car” is nowhere near a “ripoff” of a Beach Boys song.
If _that_ is a “ripoff”, then _all of Wilson’s Music_ is a “ripoff” of Groups like this:
ua-cam.com/video/Mr460E9I4UQ/v-deo.html
2. You said “Most of Paul’s songs are near ripoffs of Brian’s Music”; But, you only named one song. What other songs are “near ripoffs” of Wilson’s songs?
3. Wilson made Pet Sounds _because of Rubber Soul;_ So, does that also mean that Wilson was “ripping off” The Beatles?
@@CipherSerpico It would require too much detail to go into but one more small example is the harp intro to She's Leaving Home mirroring quite nicely the intro to Wouldn't it Be Nice. There's obviously no question that each band were bouncing ideas off each other and I don't mean to down play McCartney in any way, just to say that Wilson was at the forefront of what was going on musically at that time.
In my world it's "The Beatles", than everyone else.
But "The Dark Side of the Moon" album by Pink Floyd has to be considered in this conversation.
I would go a step further and say Animals is one of the best albums of all time as well. At least top 5 rock albums.
@@Grimmcatz dude almost all of those albums are the best! I mean Shine On, Animals, The Wall, Dark Side are all almost equal in their brilliance and depth and are sure as shoot super hard to rank!!
The wall and dark side are up there for me
The Beatles don’t have any good music
Yes' Close to the Edge is the pinnacle of the prog sphere (which the Beatles and Floyd have a heavy hand in) and in turn are in the conversation for the all timer record.
Cherish this rare moment where music is listened to and discussed and not struck down by copyright bots (yet). RIP to all the conversations like this that cannot be had anymore on UA-cam. 😓
I love both bands, but something to consider is that Brian Wilson wrote or co-wrote every song on Pet Sounds, played several instruments, sang, did the arrangements, produced, and mixed it - all while deaf in one ear (which is why he only mixed the mono version, as he can't hear in stereo).
Don't forget the fact that he went through serious mental health issues during that time and after the album came out.
and didn't have 3 other dudes and a wizard producer to rely on.
Modern version of what you just described: Kevin Parker/Tame Impala
Didn’t they sing marylin mansons songs,
Exactly. He played the role of Lennon/Mccartney and Martin.
The more I grow as a musician, the more I am fascinated and in awe of what Brian Wilson did on Pet Sounds. I love the Beatles as well, but their songs are on the whole much simpler to grasp. The musical progressions and arrangements (all composed and produced by one man in his early 20s) are just staggering. And the lyrics and messages on top of it are beautiful and touching. Every year that I return to my Pet Sounds phase, it goes up in my list of best albums of all time, which doesn’t happen as much for my older favorites. It’s top 3 for me at the moment
I agree with Rick. Wouldn’t It Be Nice is probably my favorite Beach Boys song. The vocal harmony is incredible.
Wouldn't it be nice if most of their catalog was relatable to more than .03% of the worlds population
I kinda hear that in Rick’s productions. The way the drums come in in the intro.
@@giustinoscalise3177 How is "Wouldn't It Be Nice" not relatably to anyone who's been a teenager? How is "God Only Knows" not relatable to anyone who's been in love?
@@claytonstrickland8336 wtf do you care what I think? Surfer "beach boy" music...I mean, what's to explain? In my opinion, they are very dated in a bad way. Like, "Let's hear it for the boy" or let's say, "Kokomo" is dated in a shitty way for 80's music. Meaningless whatever pop. I guess if you're from California or whatever, it might be nostalgic but most people could care less. Some people try to put Pet Sounds up against The Beatles best records and I think that is hilariously stupid. Like flat-earther level retard shit. Now, maybe those songs you mentioned are great on some level, or just for you, but I'll never know because I attempted listening to the record on several occasions, and it just ain't for me. Not just it ain't for me, I just hate the shit. Like I hate Duran Duran or Ace of Base, or The Bee Gees, or Prince, or the sound of an old alarm clock that just goes reet reet reet on and on.
That and Good Vibrations
The Beach Boys are my daughter's favorite band, and she has exposed me to much more of their music than I was formerly familiar with, though I'm the one who introduced her to them. Pet Sounds was the only album I'd listened to beyond their numerous singles, and I didn't truly "get" it until I was in my early thirties. I'm 37 now and my daughter is 13 and we listen to Beach Boys albums constantly and I've gained a much deeper appreciation for their music. Too fun is perhaps a reaction to their music if only superficially aware of it, but Pet Sounds and Smile both go into some fairly dark territory, while musically they became significantly more complex and cerebral than The Beatles (who we also adore). Today I consider them to be the best popular band of the sixties and seventies and regret not having sought out more than the one album earlier, though I likely wouldn't have been ready for it.
Pet Sounds it a masterpiece of musical creativity with complex harmonic arrangements and progressions that were never equalled.
I just have to comment on this album. During covid I was dealing with Crohn’s disease flares and this album really helped my mental health. Still believe in me and don’t talk (put your head on my shoulders) are the most underrated, real, poetic masterpieces and the whole album is great. I can see why Paul McCartney says pet sounds is his favourite album because it inspired him to create sgt pepper album. So shout out to Brian Wilson! 👏🏻 Paul Dano played you perfectly in love and mercy. If people haven’t seen it it’s the story of Brian’s mental health and flashes back to the recording and the inspirations of pet sounds! It’s a must watch if you’re a Student of music.
You’ll dig this version of Don’t Talk (put your head on my shoulder)
ua-cam.com/video/3gPLZiWJcOw/v-deo.html
I like John Cusack but he was miscast as older-Brian. Believe it or not, I think Brian Geraghty should have played older-Brian. He would have been perfect.
Just wanted to say I have UC so I know you have to be extremely strong to deal with a flare. No one knows how hard it is, truly, but us.
I hope you feel better now
Those are two of my favorite Beach Boys songs as well. You Still Believe in Me is the song that elevated them to the level of genius for me.
Amazing movie
I was not expecting his favorite song to be "While my guitar gently weeps" since as an almost 65 year old it is one of mine as well. You are an old soul Lex ! I payed to play that a lot on the "jukebox" back at the college snack bar when I was a student.
Another favorite was "Me and Bobby Mcgee" by Janis Joplin. And when music was to get me pumped up and be loud at a party, it was "Jane" by Jefferson Starship; only song I ever blew speakers on as it gets better the louder is is played. So much great music to choose from throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s. Really good times.
Wow, that was awkward. Rick Rubin was trying his best to glaze over Lex’s complete lack of knowledge in this arena..
A born and raised Los Angeles band, artist. Could’ve only come from Southern California at that time. The exuberance, positivity, fun. Whenever I’m down on So Cal I play The Beach Boys.
Huge Beatles fan, but this album is also my one time favorite.
There’s a great movie with John Cusack about “Pet Sounds” which made me realize it’s genius - and also influenced the Beatles.
Love and mercy
Most of the beach boys melodies have such a upliftig vibe but the lyrics are so sad that your perspective of the melody shifts into sadness also. That is the magic music can reach.
A very slept on song for me is the instrumental piece ‘Let’s Go Away For Awhile’. That piece can transport me from whatever bullshit i’m having to deal with and just takes me floating down stream
Listening to Wouldn't It Be Nice brought a smile to my face. And I lived it. Radio stations back in the day would pit the British Invasion against the American groups. So much great music. Even much of the crap was near great. So much to chose from. And if you were the right age, you grew up as the music got more mature. If you were older and more serious you might have missed some of the fun. Paul Revere and the Raiders, Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs, Gary Lewis and the Playboys. And one of the greatest records ever, Good Lovin by The Rascals. But that's not forgotten, because it was kept alive by the Grateful Dead. Springsteen has talked about how hearing Dylan's Like A Rolling Stone changed his life. He was a little older than I was. My parents were into folk music. So I knew Dylan's earlier work. But there was so much going on I'd only bought the greatest hits. (After Nashville Skyline I worked backwards to discover the hidden gems I hadn't heard on underground radio.) But there was a lot of time and money keeping up with the Beatles (Meet the Beatles was my first album) and Sgt Peppers the first album I went downtown to buy the day it came out with my friends. We played those records out. I was an only child, but brothers and sisters are a mixed blessing. More records, but sometimes turf wars. Meanwhile Motown, Stax, the Stones, the Who, the Kinks, Jefferson Airplane,, Cream, Hendrix, Zappa... way too much quality to absorb. And that's not even counting the bands like Led Zeppelin or the Dead who were around but took off after the end of the sixties. So it's not surprising you missed some of the greats. In the mid-70s I saw a list from Melody Maker IIRC. Astral Weeks by Van Morrison was the 5th greatest album of all-time. I'd never even heard of it. But I'd heard or heard of most of the others. So I went out and bought it. A masterpiece. It's impossible for even a guy as smart as Lex to understand the privileged ears we had growing up in those days.
Lex: a philosopher of the mind
Rick: a philosopher of the soul
There’s always been an underlying current of sadness or a need to escape in Brian’s music - In my room, I just wasn’t made for these times, ‘Til I die (even Wouldn’t it be nice). Many people (including Lex by the sound of things) haven’t listened past the singles. I think, once you have, when you then go back to those singles, that undercurrent becomes much more apparent.
I agree. Brian hits me deep in my soul. ‘Til I Die is a perfect example. Even In My Room-the aching loneliness.
In My Room was on Surfer Girl, a beautiful song from an amazing band. The competition between McCartney and Wilson brought us some of ther most amazing music ever heard.
This was the song that my husband and I chose as our first dance song. We were childhood sweethearts and long distance for many years so the song really brings back memories of writing our love story together. ❤ so good.
Pet Sounds is so good that if 90 people out of 100 in a room say they hate it, the 10 people who love it love it enough to make up for that 90 person deficit.
It’s an album that continues to deliver something for me every year that passes.
I didn’t like it at all the first time I heard it….nor the second time….nor the 3rd.
I can only assume that I wasn’t ready for it or in need of it at that point.
Eventually we found each other at the right time 😊
Many people have other “favourite” albums and that’s cool….that’s why music is both individual and beautiful.
I'll never understand why Pink Floyd's The Wall is rarely in this conversation, if ever. It's perfect!
best album ever put to vinyl mate,the beach boys were harmonizing wank
pet sounds is so great that the next album Brian Wilson was working on "Smile' would've probably blown pet sounds out of the water yet it was never finished. By not finishing SMILE to its full potential it made pet sounds even more legendary and astonishing in retrospect
I was bouncing round when he played 'wouldn't it be nice' . Only to see rick doing it to.
The beach boys/beatles, like all artists have their own way of touching the audience's soul. We just find our favorite artists and dont sometimes consider other forms of artistic expression our personal taste. Great interview! Im gonna watch it all now!
Pet Sounds is not just a collection of songs like all previous Beach Boys and Beatles albums. It was a prototype for what would eventually be called a concept album in that all of the songs, while still radio-friendly singles, told a cohesive story over the album. The Beatles were blown away by the album and it inspired them to make their own cohesive "concept" album which they called Sgt. Pepper. I had the same reaction as Lex when I first heard it ('oh a bunch of Beach Boys songs') but it wasn't until much later when I more or less immersed myself in their earlier albums that I suddenly could realize the qualitative leap in quality and songwriting that Pet Sounds represented.
Wouldn't it be nice is the greatest song created since the whole "pop" thing was around. Pet sounds is just a masterpiece.
Rick has such a great voice,. It would be nice if right before I make any big decisions concerning my life I hear Rick say "are you sure this is hat you want?"
It took me ten years of playing guitar, self teaching to understand how fucking amazing dark side, and pet sounds are. Two
Albums that totally changed the face of music, and the album
Pet Sounds and SMiLE are masterpieces.
Brian Wilson’s genius is tragically under appreciated.
Lex, you don't know what your missing. The Beach Boys sound fun on the outside but there is some deep shit going on and the fun is masking it. The word genius is way overused nowadays but Brian Wilson is one.
Exactly, many people even consider pet sounds the origin of the emo genre. Hope lex looks into it because I’d love to see a Brian Wilson interview
@@user-hp2sb6ch4u I doubt Brian would go on but Brian's Smile collaborator Van Dyke Parks I think would be great on. I know him and had him on my podcast twice, super talented guy
When considering the greatest bands of all time I always break it down to 3 which are the Beatles the beach boys and the doors
Genius? I kind of think these guys who were LSD casualties and a bit mentally not there in the first place ala Syd Barret are hard to quantify as genius. Their issues made organizing sounds and the effect of said sound easier to do at the moment. It's certainly quality stuff, but they'd have to repeat the process and do new things with it. The Beach Boys went a did Kokomo and Brain Wilson had to shelve his next thing for decades and get loads of help to finish it because of issues. Lot's of these groups that had visionary types doing the band leading ran into this over time or at the time.
@@colinburroughs9871 If you know anything about music you would understand why Brian is called a genius. Even a small song like This Whole World shows the beauty in his modulations. I suggest you deconstruct some of Brian's compositions and you may find why he is regarded so highly.
Rubber Soul is always the forgotten album in these discussions. It was the album that blew Brian Wilson’s mind and triggered the creation of Pet Sounds. In the Beatle world it’s always a footnote album. In my grain of sand opinion it’s the greatest Pop/Rock album ever. Perfection.
rubber soul has a few slappers but it's mostly misses. to say its the best ever is objectively wrong
@@peters5090
Well I’m not getting into a tennis match of oh yes it is and oh no it isn’t. It’s my grain of sand opinion built on a shore of what I view as objective measuring. That’s all. It is merely my favourite Beatles album that I also believe to be their greatest , so forgive me if I don’t change my mind because someone says I’m wrong.
Yes!
@@peters5090 Mostly misses? The only song that can be argued a miss is Run for your Life and even then, not a bad song.
Revolver or perhaps white album is their best album. Runner soul has like 4 good songs.
All the intricate instrumentation, Melodie’s and harmonies of Pet Sounds were the vision of one man. He literally sat in the studio and told the musicians what to play. It isn’t typical formulaic guitar rock.
The Beatles were a great band with a great producer.
Brian Wilson was the band and the producer.
Man how does Wouldnt it Be Nice sound too "fun" to Lex? Listen to the backing track, the complex orchestration, the harmonies, the heartbreaking lyrics... the backing track alone with the accordions gives me goosebumps and blasts me away to a place not on earth every time. I don't understand how you dont "get" wouldnt it be nice. One of the most brilliant songs ever recorded.
I mean yes it does sound "fun", but in the most complex and incredible way possible.
There‘s even a key-change during rhe intro…
@@spoookytooth what was cool was about the intro is that carl wilson recorded it in the control booth before the wrecking crew kicked off, so he probably had to look over the console to get a visual cue from the drummer, incredible
musical illiteracy perhaps?
@@FlamingZelda3 yep
@@samarryll512 thanks for the info, didnt know that!
My daughter was already in love with you Lex, but "While my guitar gently weeps" being your favorite Beatles song just made her swoon. George is her most cherished Beatle by a long way.
Eric Clapton in the guitar solo didn’t hurt either…. (Surprise guest with no credit taken, Clapton just did a favor for George.)
It's good. In my life is a strong contender also. I.M.O
@@duckbrew I first heard In My Life while on magic mushrooms and it blew my mind lol, my exact thoughts about it were "this is so hip"
It’s also an interesting point that The Beatles were a collective (despite the Lennon/McCartney way of credits, they wrote separately too also alongside George as well) and The Beach Boys were under much more constriction of Brian Wilson as the ‘songwriting director’ so to speak. There was more of a pointed specific direction with Beach Boys where a rain wanted it to go while The Beatles had multiple sources giving perspectives and taste from each person.
While I’m a Beatles guy at heart, ‘Wouldn’t it Be Nice’ is truly an incredibly well written song and such a privilege to listen to.
That's a great observation on both bands. Also shows there's not just one formula to bring about a beautiful and lasting creative vision.
My brother bought Beach Boy albums. At about age 12-14 I would listen to Pet Sounds over and over. I never realized or understood the genuis in it till I got much older.
As an adolescent I didn’t understand Pet Sounds. As an adult that now makes music I completely understand it’s genius.
I think the Beatles win the battle with the Beach boys ofcourse, but Brian was pretty much on his own with Carl having his back , but the Beatles had 4 major musical forces including George Martin making those Albums. Brian was pretty much a one man band. Insane, really.
My top 2 albums are Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks and the Pixies’ Doolittle.
and my Top album is Godbluff by Van der Graaf
The Pet Sounds box set has a disc of a capella vocal takes. Astounding stuff
Carl Wilson said he asked Brian Wilson, “Why are we so popular?” Brian said people loved the music because it was like the sheer joy of living
Why didn’t he play in my room? Very reflective song. Lex didn’t know it. Would have been much more poignant to the seriousness, sadness or melancholy that lt sounds like Lex was trying to get to. Great song!
I am such the polar opposite. I really latched on to the Beach Boys when I was younger, but never quite felt the same connection with the Beatles.
The Beach Boy's music is never silly even when it is uplifting. It is serious music with a positive bent. It is yearning and contemplative.
Sure, there are some less than serious songs but they are still exploring important ideas... like "Vegetables"... not deeply philosophical by any means, but in my opinion has its place.
When was thr last time you actually LISTENED to "Good Vibrations"? With a good sound system or headphones it is transcendent.
Rex is light in his understanding here. It is possible it's his age and his growing up experiences way different then growing up or being a teen in the 60 , surfing, beach , California dreaming. He didn't know the songs on the album .
Ehhh i feel like if you truly appreciate and understand music it’s impossible not to be overwhelmed by a lot of Brian Wilson’s compositions. I feel like his opinions here come from the fact that he’s a much more casual listener it seems or rather he doesn’t have much knowledge outside of his preferred genres. It’s just a different way of co aiming music. Some people are in it for the music itself and appreciate qualities that transcend genre and some people are more in it for the feel and more of a specific vibe.
The Zombies 'Odessey and Oracle' is another album from the time that reminds me of 'Pet Sounds'. Also, Pink Floyd's 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn' is a more psychedelic album, but still has the sense of youthful exuberance of both the former albums.
There was something about '66-'67 -- upbeat, regression-to-childhood, bucolic... -- but music turned darker by the second half of '67 and has stayed that way ever since. A time will come around when more people understand and appreciate the channeling of an optimistic naivete in music. It's like British Romantic literature; it takes a type of willingness to let go of cynicism to fully appreciate it, but when you do, you are transported to a world of otherworldly beauty and wonder.
in my room is fantastic. the harmonies can give those willing : chills
Pet sounds contains just about any emotion ever felt by humans. They are so much more than just fun.
You have GOT to be kidding me, Lex. I do not understand how a human being can listen to Pet Sounds and not be smacked over the head at the heartbreaking poignancy of Wouldn't It Be Nice, the way he captured the with such clarity the feelings that burgeon from first, pure true love in God Only Knows. And you're comment (inaccurate) that it's just too fun? Yeah? I Just Wasn't Made for These Times is a despairing melodic handwringing over depression and the isolation that accompanies that hissing abyss. The lyrics, the vocal and musical arrangement underscore all of these emotions. No one's dancin' a jig after hearing that one.
Lex is overlooking the tremendous melancholy behind the “fun” in Pet Sounds
I believe the instruments on the album was done by the wrecking crew, a crew of insanely talented studio musicians at that time. Also, Brian Wilson was a hugh influence on Paul McCartney.
Rubber Soul inspired Brian to make Pet Sounds. It was back and forth.
The Beach Boys primarily play the instruments on just one track. I like to make people try and guess which one :-)
Lex is showing his youthful inexperience in this clip. I thought I heard him suggest ‘In My Room” was on Pet Sounds.
In spite of growing up with Beach Boys music on the radio, I didn’t come to fully appreciate them until I was in my mid-50’s. Pet Sounds is one of my favorite albums now that I have come to appreciate their interesting take on the California beach scene from the 1960’s.
Yup, this dude has no clue on this music!
he was speaking more generally about their music at that point. That's why when the other guys asks his favorite song off the album he clarifies "on Pet sounds?" Because he was more broadly talking about their music.
I love Let’s go away for a while on the Pet Sounds album. It’s so sweet
Pet Sounds hits you with genius in the first few seconds of the opening track. Listen to that intro. 99% songs don't start like that
Funnily enough, Paul McCartney got me into Beach Boys, when I read that Pet Sounds was his favourite album. “The Beach Boys?! Really?? Barbara Ann-Beach-Boys?!”
The Beach Boys don’t get enough love.
Except that Pet Sounds was really Brian Wilson's creation. It wasn't Barbara-Ann Beach boys at that time
@@martinhodell8465 yeah I know ;-) but the old me didn’t know that. Although Barbara Ann was released just half a year earlier.
How crazy is it that George Harrison is just the "extra" writer, with those songs as his contribution. The Beatles to this day are simply 'magical".
after watching the get back documentary, it shows that he was starting to struggle with that role! super interesting to watch.
i agree with you, how wild that the third song writer in the group goes home one night and comes back the next day with "i me mine". what an awesome song writer
@@rhythmsteve And how is it possible that this was 50 years ago, the access to musical knowledge and information was vastly less, and still their musical prowess and ability to create on an analogue 4 Track (no copy and paste, no quantize or grid) still holds up as Top of the line, Master Piece Quality musical experience?
Literally none of there music is good
@@The_king567 Uh oh "The King" has spoken everyone...The KIng of BS, that is
@@jamescordova1796 because it’s true sorry u don’t like it
0:31 “Is this apple better than this peach?“
I love it when someone takes a well known cliché(like “apples and oranges“), and puts their own spin on it (“apples and peaches”) rather than just repeating what everyone else says/does. It’s clearly an indication of a creative and artistic mind.
Thanks to Rick Ruben for telling all of his awesome stories.
Lex should do an experiment where he lives on the beach in SoCal for a month, start surfing & give Beach Boys another try 😂❤️
“It’s too much fun”. Uhh has he listened to the album?
No song has ever been used in such a way that “Wouldn’t it be nice” was used in Vanilla Sky.
I've always loved the Beatles much more than the Beach Boys, but Pet Sounds / Smile are masterpieces. Listening to Sergeant Pepper / White Album now I feel like they grow dull on me, which is never the case with Pet Sounds / Smile. Brian outdid Paul in long perspective
Grew up listening to the Beatles, like most, and I still remember hearing Pet Sounds for the first time. I don't know how to explain it, the Beatles are obviously transcendent, but the Beach Boys tapped into some seriously infectious energy on Pet Sounds. Fun, densely layered songs of life. Beautiful lyricism that at times can feel childishly innocent, but clearly from a more nuanced and aged perspective. Just great stuff all around
Beach boys too happy? Really listen to those lyrics...heartbreak, longing, questioning yourself and sadness. Its the dichotomy of their music. Music that seems happy, but singing of pain and depression.
"I just wasnt made for these times" by far darker than any lyric the Beatles wrote. I love the Beatles and the Beach Boys, but to say one seems fluffy....idk? Maybe I'm wrong
But look at how he smiled as soon as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” came on. I’d be more than happy if that song represented the human experience.
“You still believe in me” from pet sounds is one of the most moving songs I’ve ever heard
No doubt the Beatles have plethora of original and amazing songs, and if we went song for song, I’m sure the Beatles would have more. But as an album, nothing has rocked my world more than pet sounds. Brian Wilson moved the needle forward more than any other with that album!
None of the Beatles songs or Albums are good or the best
@@The_king567 in your opinion
@@nepesilva2284 true
@@The_king567 your opinions are wrong
@@kristoamadeus4441 nope
THRILLER , MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY , WHATS GOING ON , LONDON CALLING..
I got this album on a trade about 30 years ago. In the beginning i didn't think much about this album. Over the years it slowly growed on me. Its most definitely in my top 10 albums of all time
Abbey Road is pretty hard to beat. The last tracks where they just mash a bunch of songs that all could have been crazy hits into 2 minute diddys, showcasing just how endless their depth is like “we could just keep writing them forever.”
I encourage anybody that has a hard time with Pet Sounds to try out the unfinished Smile album :)
I will always pick The Beach Boys over The Beatles and you can’t convince me otherwise by referencing album sales or ‘historical impact’. Rick is right, it’s so personal .
Naaaah lil bro 💀
Says every american hahaha you guys are so predictable
@@buzzkillington9714 wot? haha, I’m from Iceland as it happens…
The historical impact of the Beatles vs. the Beach Boys is not at all subjective or personal.
@@ryanbaer3997 what is the point of your reply to me?
The most influential songwriting album in contemporary music is probably is the revolutionary Eli and the Thirteenth confession (1968) by the Bronx teenage genius Laura Nyro. See youtube discussions of Nyro by Elton John, Todd Rundgren, Alice Cooper, Narada Michael Walden. Nyro's concept album is highly innovative, musically complex, very soulful and through its poetic lyrics deals with the human condition: love, innocence, loneliness, spirituality, sex, betrayal, drugs, friendship, maturation, time.....
I love them both. They just remind me. Nothing last forever, or does it…
Pet sounds has such a deeply sad yearing undertone, to simply write off that album as happy is a huge injustice.
I think some people don't understand how much was sacrificed to make this album. Brian Wilson ,almost ,sacrificed his sanity to create "Pet Sounds".
It's easy to show pain and sadness through art. But it takes a great artistsry to transform this pain and sadness to create something beautiful and hopeful
If you listen to the instrumentals (vocals removed) in Pet Sounds, it sound to me like the maker of those arraignments was insane at the time. Pet Sounds is an insanity album to me, and that's why i love it.
As an 18 year old Mancunian I feel I have the most important say, and Pet Sounds IS the best album from start to finish
Four of the greatest rock albums ever made came out in 1966: Pet Sounds, Blonde on Blonde, Aftermath and Revolver. What a year for music! Much greater in my opinion than 1971, which is often cited and is indeed also great.
Revolver is quite possibly The Beatles best work.
"You still believe in me" is a song that paralyzes me when I hear it
Wow, nice changes on that. Really pretty
What a beautiful interview.
Love Pet Sounds. You can hear the dedication.
Joni Mitchell Blue, Billy Joel The Stranger, Bob Dylan Legend, Neil Young Harvest ... so many great albums!
Great albums but I don't think The Legend counts. I think it's a compilation, greatest hits kind of album. I found it on google and all those songs are off different albums.
@@steviemac2681 Fair enough. Great compilation then!
What's Going On is briiiant. Marvin Gaye was a true genius. So were the Beatles and the Beach Boys. But for me nothing tops What's Going On.
Pet Sounds is the greatest album ever made, followed a close second by Trout Mask Replica, and then any Beatles album 66-69.
Funny thing is I'd bet Brian Wilson agrees and could name quite a few soul or rock/pop albums that are "best" albums.
I’m with you on Harrison. Check out ‘Here Comes The Moon’ and also ‘Dark Sweet Lady’
Certainly my favorite album of all time. As someone in their mid 20s with no direction, “I just wasn’t made for these times” relates to me, in a way nothing, no poem, other song, nothing, has ever before. Brian Wilson is a genius, simple as that. I love the Beach Boys so much, wish they got the praise the Beatles did, however Brian’s own self destructive habits sabotaged that.
"Pet Sounds" has melancholy ALL over it. It's got fun... but it's got a lot of depth. The only album that rivals "Pet Sounds," for me... is Revolver... AND Brian's other masterpiece: "SMiLE"
Music being so highly subjective, tastes varying with geography, age, cultures. I'm nearly 50 years old. If I've ever seen 1 performer being popular from the streets of Brazil, to Japan, to India, to Far East, Asia, North, Central & South America, Africa - it is just 1 - Michael Jackson. I've seen street shows copying Michael's signature moves in Brazil, Japan, Spain, India, Thailand - nearly every country across the globe
Michael had his influences too though, for dancing take James Brown for example.
@@leonlang2505 I'm sure every popular musician to ever exist had someone else influence them
The Beatles had Sir Martin.
Brian did Pet Sounds all by himself, except for the lyrics.
I agree with Rubin that you can’t compare bands or albums, but here’s the difference, I think. Whereas I want to look inward and cry with Brian, I want to sing along with the Beatles.