Pet Sounds is turning 50 this month and to celebrate Good Room is joining Classic Album Sundays to host a listening session on our audiophile system on May 22.

Produced and arranged by Brian Wilson the album was one of the most ambitious rock album ever recorded along with The Beatles. Bicycle bells, buzzing organs, harpsichords, flutes, Electro-Theremin, dog whistles, trains, Hawaiian-sounding string instruments, Coca-Cola cans, and barking dogs were all used to create a sonic experience that was unparalleled.

With its striking orchestration, multi-layered lyrics and ‘concept’ approach Pet Sounds paved the way for music to come. Written in response to The Beatles Rubber Soul, inspired by the fact that the whole album was filled with great songs and no fillers Wilson rushed to his wife and proclaimed, “Marilyn, I’m gonna make the greatest album! The greatest rock album ever made!”.

Later he would say “Yeah, it was sort of my answer to Rubber Soul and their response to Pet Sounds wasSgt. Pepper. They really wanted to top us, and they did. It’s just the way it works; it goes two ways. But Paul McCartney, who’s a good friend of mine, says “God Only Knows” remains his favourite song to this day.”

Although fans like to pitt the two bands against one another, The Beach Boys and The Beatles had more of a symbiotic relationship – it has been said The Beatles looked outward and Wilson looked inward.

The warm soothing sounds on the album convey deep emotion often packaged in childlike whimsy to create a listening experience that is still regarding as a truly unique piece of music and one of the most important albums of all time. Still influencing contemporary artists such as Panda Bear and Animal Collective, Pet Sounds probably has more impact today than when it was released.

Audio Menu: Rega Apheta MC Cartridge, Rega P9 Turntable, Audio Note UK pre-amplification and power amplification, AudioQuest Interconnects and cabling, Klipsch Loudspeakers, Klipsch SW-115 Subwoofers