The Pet Sounds Sessions Highlights

『The Pet Sounds Sessions Highlights 2LP』は、1997年にグラミー賞にノミネートされた4枚組CDボックスセット『The Pet Sounds Sessions』から厳選された楽曲を収録。
25曲の「ThePet Sounds」のアカペラ、別ヴァージョン、レコーディング・セッション(すべて初アナログ盤化)に加え、新たなライナーノーツも付属。
1966年5月16日にリリースされた『The Pet Sounds』は、Brian Wilsonがプロデュースと作曲を主に担当し、ポップミュージックの傑作、そして歴史上最も影響力のあるアルバムのひとつと評されています。
このアルバムには、クラシックなシングル「God Only Knows」、「Sloop John B」、「Wouldn't It Be Nice」が収録されています。
180g 2LPブラック・ヴァイナル仕様。

*「I'm Waiting For The Day (Vocals Only)」はLP1、LP2の両方に収録されています。

There's little arguing that Pet Sounds is one of the greatest albums in rock & roll, and its cult, if anything, has only grown in the decades since its intial release. Part of the fascination with Pet Sounds lies in its detailed, multi-layered arrangements, in which all the parts blend together into a symphonic whole. The richness of the music is one of the reasons hardcore fans have desired a set like The Pet Sounds Sessions, a four-disc box that presents an abundance of working mixes, alternate takes, instrumental tracks, and rarities, as well as the first true stereo mix of the album. Certainly, a set this exacting is only of interest to serious fans, and even they might find the endless succession of work tracks tedious. Nevertheless, there's something fascinating about hearing the album broken down to its individual parts; after hearing horn lines, vocals, and percussion tracks out of their original context, the scope and originality of Brian Wilson's vision becomes all the more impressive. (Make no mistake about it, Pet Sounds is entirely Wilson's project, despite what Mike Love states in his self-serving liner notes.) The original mono mix of Pet Sounds (included here in a minature, cardboard record sleeve) remains the best way to appreciate Wilson's gifts, but for fans already convinced of his genius, The Pet Sounds Sessions is a fascinating, educational listen, even if it's not necessarily indispensable. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine