Best Ever Albums

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

Xavygravy — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:42:32 GMT

Author: Xavygravy

Posted: 11/22/2011 07:42

Just a quick noob question:

They have all the individual tracks for all the songs right?
So why isn't it produced to the standard of say, Pet Sounds?

Since all the parts are recorded, couldn't they have just touched it up and released it as a proper album, and not just 'sessions' (what I mean is, why isn't the quality of sound up to the standard that Pet Sounds is and why can't that be fixed with all the individual tracks available)?

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

CellarDoor — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:46:09 GMT

Author: CellarDoor

Posted: 11/10/2011 15:46

cartoken wrote:

Just noticed that smile made an impressive new entry in the RYM top album of all time, not less than to the 17# currently even better than pet sounds (33#). Impressive !
So how much time until it gets into the top 100 of BEA ? I guess not too much.

The "SMiLE Sessions" is currently the 5th top ranked album on BEA !!

Hope it enters the overall chart at some point 😄

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

cartoken — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:20:24 GMT

Author: cartoken

Posted: 11/10/2011 14:20

Just noticed that smile made an impressive new entry in the RYM top album of all time, not less than to the 17# currently even better than pet sounds (33#). Impressive !
So how much time until it gets into the top 100 of BEA ? I guess not too much.

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

cartoken — Thu, 3 Nov 2011 16:13:22 GMT

Author: cartoken

Posted: 11/03/2011 20:13

This is better than Pet Sounds, but some songs are still better in the 2004's version. Nice album, but this is not the My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy of 2011

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

Xavygravy — Thu, 3 Nov 2011 15:48:28 GMT

Author: Xavygravy

Posted: 11/03/2011 19:48

ShaneSpear wrote:

If I've never heard either of them, which should I listen to (first): Brian Wilson's SMiLE, or Beach Boys' SMiLE Sessions?

Brian Wilson's SMiLE is more complete, and closer to what it would've sounded like if it were finished.

The SMiLE Sessions is put together in the right order, but it's definitely not complete. But it does give you an insight into 'what could've been' and all the work behind it (in all the bonus tracks).

I suggest you listen to The SMiLE Sessions first, and then Brian Wilson's SMiLE.

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

Applerill — Thu, 3 Nov 2011 13:44:32 GMT

Author: Applerill

Posted: 11/03/2011 17:44

ShaneSpear wrote:

If I've never heard either of them, which should I listen to (first): Brian Wilson's SMiLE, or Beach Boys' SMiLE Sessions?

Yeah, for the most part, I'm in the same boat. But I just listened to a bit of Brian Wilson's Smile on Spotify, and I was pretty bored. Was it digitally mastered or something? That can sap the appeal right there.

In any case, my mom's recently fallen in love with Pet Sounds, so I'm considering getting her the Smile Sessions on CD for Christmas, along with an iPod Nano.

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

CellarDoor — Thu, 3 Nov 2011 13:20:45 GMT

Author: CellarDoor

Posted: 11/03/2011 17:20

I've just listened to my 2CD boxset. I'm ecstatic.

Utterly beautiful. The remastering is bright and clear, and the songs flow beautifully into one another.
I'm especially fond of the final versions of Wonderful ( 😲 ), Vega-Tables and Wind Chimes as heard in sketches on "Smiley Smile". And I was already a fan of "Smiley Smile" which sounds like what it is, unfinished, but has a genuine naive charm to it.

Surf's Up has always been a favourite (love the album), and the version of Heroes And Villains is great.

Much more effects than on "Pet Sounds", an ingenious production indeed ! Can't say which I prefer right now, they sound so different.

Anyhow, a classic for sure.

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

ShaneSpear — Thu, 3 Nov 2011 08:30:26 GMT

Author: ShaneSpear

Posted: 11/03/2011 12:30

If I've never heard either of them, which should I listen to (first): Brian Wilson's SMiLE, or Beach Boys' SMiLE Sessions?

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

Fleet Fox — Thu, 3 Nov 2011 06:46:21 GMT

Author: Fleet Fox

Posted: 11/03/2011 10:46

Folks it is nice to have but IMHO it is in no way better than sgt. Pepper !

It has two great songs, - good vibrations and surfs up, a few good songs - wonderful, wind chimes and cabinessence. The rest range from just plain not a good song - Heroes and villians, to self indulgent Vega-Tables to throw away doodling (the rest of it) ....

When you look at pepper it has so many great songs - SHes Leaving Home, A Day In The Life, It's Getting Better, When I'm 64, With A Little Help from My Friends and the beautiful Within You Wihtout You.

The again I guess music is subjective ! 😄 I will admit though it sounds great (much better than the bootleg) Happy Listening.... 😄

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

Xavygravy — Thu, 3 Nov 2011 04:50:10 GMT

Author: Xavygravy

Posted: 11/03/2011 08:50

That said, I do prefer the 2004 versions of many of the songs, especially Heroes and Villains and Roll Plymouth Rock.

But 'The Smile Sessions' is more bare-bones, and gives you more of an insight into it at the time it was recorded.

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

Xavygravy — Thu, 3 Nov 2011 04:10:43 GMT

Author: Xavygravy

Posted: 11/03/2011 08:10

I absolutely love it. 😁

Jumped straight to my Top 10, and may even get to Top 3 or 4.

It really could have changed the world if it was released back then.
It's easily better Sgt. Pepper, and really would've pushed The Beatles to release even greater material in the future, not to mention every other musician from that point onward.

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

revolver94 — Wed, 2 Nov 2011 22:36:03 GMT

Author: revolver94

Posted: 11/03/2011 02:36

I'm so glad that Pitchfork gave the 10... that really carries some weight.

I really like what they did with "Heroes and Villains." It certainly sounds fresher the way they did it.

I love the vocals on "Our Prayer," just fantastic.

I must now depart to raise its rank on my chart! 😁

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

cartoken — Wed, 2 Nov 2011 19:48:07 GMT

Author: cartoken

Posted: 11/02/2011 23:48

😲 from 215 ratings on RYM, it got 4.69, which means the best album ever 😲 of course this will drop, the more non fan members will rate this album. still, pretty impressive.

can't wait, i'll will listen to it tomorrow 😁

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

Anonymous — Wed, 2 Nov 2011 18:44:04 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 11/02/2011 22:44

It's arguably better than Sgt Peppers, but I suppose if The Beatles had included Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane instead of Within You Without You and When I'm Sixty-Four, they would have been about equal 😉

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

Hayden — Wed, 2 Nov 2011 18:08:59 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 11/02/2011 22:08

Just got a 10/10 from P4k 😄

I like it too. It's just as good as Pet Sounds imo, and a very good pop record.

I'm still not sure whether to include it on my 'best of 2011' list though 🫢 Cause, it isn't really a 'new' release, is it? 😕

Re: The SMiLE Sessions

Norman Bates — Wed, 2 Nov 2011 18:03:24 GMT

Author: Norman Bates

Posted: 11/02/2011 22:03

It's amazing. Like Pet Sounds, only less melancholy.

The SMiLE Sessions

revolver94 — Wed, 2 Nov 2011 16:17:30 GMT

Author: revolver94

Posted: 11/02/2011 20:17

I just got this in the mail, so I'm about to go listen to it!

What do you guys think of this long lost album?