Thirty-seven years. Thirty-seven years-that’s how long fans have been waiting for SMiLE. Of course this doesn’t take into account people who only got into the SMiLE myth later on, or younger fans that have been waiting a substantially shorter time (this reviewer included), but 37 years. When the wait for an album is that long, it better be good. No, strike that-it better be amazing. It better be among the greatest albums ever made and make all other releases in the past 10 years seem completely irrelevant. In other words, it better be exactly what it is.
SMiLE was meant to be the Beach Boys’ follow up to their masterpiece Pet Sounds. It was supposed to be the album that finally would top the Beatles in the “album war” they were waging with Brian Wilson. (Pet Sounds was meant to top Rubber Soul, which was then topped by Revolver). Due to drugs and a complete lack of support from the other Beach Boys, Wilson had a nervous breakdown and shelved the entire album. Over time, various pieces appeared on future Beach Boys albums, but never the whole album and never with the songs the way Wilson truly meant them to be-until now.
The album is perfect. A flawless piece of pop art. The newly recorded versions of the songs (including “Good Vibrations” and “Heroes and Villains”) sound just as good as anything the Boys did in the 60s. In fact, even Wilson’s voice sounds good. If heard recently, you’d think Wilson was never able to sing on key, but on the album, he’s perfectly on key. Granted his voice isn’t anywhere near what it was in the ’60s, but it’s not anywhere near what it was like in the ’90s either. He makes his voice work and even hits a few high notes (though, unfortunately, passes up the “Brother John” high note on “Surf’s Up”).
It’s nearly impossible to write a full review of this album in the space given, or using words. The only way that the brilliance of this album can be understood is through hearing it. Skeptics can go to www.smilethealbum.com and log in and hear the complete album (unfortunately, the full effect may be lost because the songs are individually selected, and don’t flow into each other). But this is not an album that you can just listen to one or two songs and get the effect. No, this is an album that you have to hear the full thing from start to end. You won’t be disappointed.
-Billy Florio
