Nearly six decades after its release, Pet Sounds is still setting the standard.
The Beach Boys’ landmark 1966 album has officially been ranked the best "American rock album" of all time by Ultimate Classic Rock, reaffirming what generations of fans and musicians have long believed: Brian Wilson's studio masterpiece remains one of the most important records ever made.
Wilson's path to Pet Sounds began when he took control of the band's creative direction from his father, his record label and, at times, even his fellow bandmates. The Beach Boys had already built a reputation on sun-drenched harmonies and surf-pop hits, but Wilson envisioned something far more ambitious. Inspired by producer Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound," he began expanding his songwriting into lush, emotionally layered compositions that pushed well beyond radio-friendly formulas.
By the mid-1960s, and especially in the wake of The Beatles' evolving sound, Wilson set out to create what would become his defining work. Pet Sounds transformed the Beach Boys from chart-topping hitmakers into auteurs of studio innovation. Its intricate arrangements, unconventional instrumentation and introspective lyrics marked a turning point not only for the band, but for American pop and rock music at large.
"I had a feeling that we were going to make a legendary album," Wilson told Consequence of Pet Sounds in 2016.
Brian Wilson directs from the control room while recording the album "Pet Sounds" in 1966 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)Tracks like "Wouldn’t It Be Nice," "God Only Knows," and "Sloop John B" blended sophisticated orchestration with raw vulnerability. The album's emotional depth, which explored longing, doubt and youthful uncertainty, was a striking departure from the carefree themes of earlier Beach Boys records.
Pet Sounds became the centerpiece of Wilson's decades-long career and continues to unveil new creative voices every year. Its influence stretches across genres and generations, with countless artists citing it as a formative inspiration. Even today, the album's shimmering harmonies and layered production feel otherworldly, as if summoned from somewhere beyond the confines of traditional pop music.
In a 2016 interview with Vice, Wilson was asked what comes to mind when he looks back at Pet Sounds all these years later. "Love and harmony," he replied. "Those are both very important. It's a record that made me very proud."
Nearly 60 years later, its legacy and impact live on though modern rock and pop music, influencing every generation of artists that has come up listening to Wilson's masterpiece.
Related: 1973 Hit Ranked Best ‘American Rock Song’ of All Time
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