38 illinoisentertainer. com november 2026
• FRIDAY •
NOV.
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SUNDAY, NOV. 22
“ God Only Knows,” but these adult reflections with thoughts of the future and longterm devotion were a far cry from the prior year’ s“ California Girls” and“ Do You Wanna Dance.” Surfing and cars were nowhere to be heard.“ God Only Knows” is the crown jewel of the album’ s treasures, featuring Carl Wilson’ s beautiful vocal performance, classical instrumentation, layered vocal rounds, tack piano, Tony Asher’ s heart-tugging lyric, and even paper juice cups used for percussion. Brian Wilson once revealed that the song’ s melody and intricate arrangement had been inspired by The Lovin’ Spoonful’ s“ You Didn’ t Have to Be So Nice.” The album’ s closest musical companion to“ Wouldn’ t It Be Nice” is the spirited, sparkling“ Sloop John B,” an update of the Bahamian folk song“ The John B. Sails,” most closely influenced by the Kingston Trio’ s 1958 recording. Other favorites include the ruminative chamber-jazz piece“ Caroline, No” and the disillusioned“ I Just Wasn’ t Made for These Times,” featuring bass clarinet and the first appearance of the theremin in pop music. The full album is a masterpiece of melody, harmony, studio craft, heart, and youthful artistry. There’ s little wonder that Paul McCartney took note and used the album as a springboard toward Sgt. Pepper’ s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The bar was set, and by certain measures, including emotional depth, the Beatles didn ' t top Pet Sounds with their psychedelic pop tour de force. The comparison LP should have quickly disqualified itself, since it was a 2016 pressing of Mark Linett’ s 1996 stereo mix. The DSS LP doesn’ t offer the same instrumental separation as Linett’ s mix, but the One-Step pressing is full, balanced, and distinct. Ultimately, this pressing truly represents Wilson’ s original intention for the groundbreaking album. A 2015 reissue by Analogue Productions received very high marks. If you’ re lucky enough to have that audiophile pressing, you’ re probably sufficiently covered. If not, this DSS One-Step pressing sounds exceptionally good. Original 1966 pressings were far less expensive but were notoriously muddy. This reissue ' s source recording was the improved 1972 remaster that originally shipped with Carl and the Passions: So Tough. The 1999 mono CD remaster was a more direct comparison to the new pressing. Although the CD program received careful treatment, I prefer the DSS One-Step ' s sound and format. One significant strike against the CD is that it’ s less dynamic, with brick-wall limiting clipping the loudest peaks of songs including“ Sloop John B” and the tender“ You Still Believe in Me.” Another difference is the CD program ' s artificial brightness, evident on songs including“ I’ m Waiting for the Day.” The gorgeous“ God Only Knows” is more sibilant and harsher than on the new LP. The primary intent was to bring the vocals forward, and that’ s no crime for a Beach Boys track, but the CD program ' s cumulative effect is more fatiguing on the ear. The all-analog process is evident in a fleeting tape flaw during the instrumental“ I’ m Waiting for the Day.” It goes by quickly and is utterly forgivable given the age and otherwise stellar condition of the source material. The DSS release of Pet Sounds is a numbered edition of 6000. Capitol / UMe’ s 60th anniversary celebration of Pet Sounds also includes The Pet Sounds
Sessions Highlights, offering insight into its creation. Listeners can hear alternate takes and different lead singers in sections of“ I’ m Waiting for the Day( Mike [ Love ] Sings Lead)” and“ Sloop John B.” Of keenest interest are the vocals-only versions of eight of the album’ s 13 songs, highlighting the Beach Boys’ singular blend.
All three albums get their due with impressive vinyl releases that honor the originals. Any of these releases would be welcome in a collection of significant albums representing popular music from the 60s, 70s and 80s, but collecting all of them at once would cost a pretty penny. Premium pressings carry premium prices, and most people would trade three standard LP purchases for one of these One-Step pressings. Listeners who have invested in quality playback systems will still greatly enjoy spinning these LPs.
– Jeff Elbel
1984 9 Let’ s Get It On 9 Pet Sounds 10
PAUL HEATON Jenius( Universal)
Former Housemartin and Beautiful South co-founder Heaton has an incredible ear for an unforgettable melody and for capturing the beauty and pain of being an Englishman. He’ s a Bit-gem in the UK, but America has largely ignored him, despite his soulful pop catalog across 21 albums. He’ s perhaps found the perfect producer in Ian Broudie of the Lightning Seeds, who worked his magic with The Bunnymen and Terry Hall. As he often does, Heaton mixes witty, self-effacing, anthemic pop on“ Can’ t Get Next You” with country-tinged humour on“ Favorite Kind of idiot” with his sidekick Rianne Downey. Mixing in his signature blue-eyed soul(“ Send In The Clowns”) with potty-mouthed, cutting political accuracy cements Heaton’ s legacy as an British treasure.
- David Gedge
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