Artist: The Beach Boys
Title: Pet Sounds (Audio Fidelity Edition)
Genre: Classic Rock
Label: Capitol/ Audio Fidelity
Website: http://www.audiofidelity.net

The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds is truly an album that needs no introduction. It is considered the greatest rock record ever by many critics, and rightfully so. From the opening track, the ever famous Wouldn't It Be Nice, all the way to the closer Caroline, No, Pet Sounds stands as a shining testament to the legendary song writing of Brian Wilson.

Audio Fidelity's re-issue of the great album on CD is unlike any other version of it that has made the jump from vinyl to the more modern format. For one, the company uses the original 1966 mix of Pet Sounds for the reissue, giving the listener a version that's very close to the original vinyl cut.

For those who have never heard the beauty of some of the album's slower orchestral songs like Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) and You Still Believe In Me on vinyl, the Audio Fidelity version of Pet Sounds is as close an experience as you can get on CD.

Likewise, the famous tracks Wouldn't It Be Nice and God Only Knows can be truly appreciated from the powerful melodies that their many experimental sounds establish. This accomplishment becomes particular impressive when listening to masters of original analog recordings, and gives you a great glimpse of what Brian Wilson must have heard when listening to Pet Sounds for the first time.

I Know There's An Answer and Sloop John B also stand as examples of the power the original recordings of Pet Sounds had. The minimal interference that Audio Fidelity used when mastering these songs from analog again shows the genius of Brian Wilson, and allows you to hear the tracks as they should be.

Fans of The Beach Boys will also appreciate the bonus track Hang On To Your Ego, an early version of I Know There�s An Answer that is right at home with the rest of Pet Sounds.

Whether you're a longtime Beach Boys fan looking for an honest transfer of Pet Sounds from vinyl to CD, or someone who has never heard the album on its original format, Audio Fidelity�s edition is one you�ll want to own. If the great music isn�t enough for you, the reissue is a limited edition, numbered album on a 24 karat gold CD, so it's bound to become a collector's item.

5/5 Stars

MuzikReviews.com Assistant Senior Editor-Chris Homer

May 4, 2009

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For Questions Or Comments About This Review Send An Email To chomer@muzikreviews.com

Tracks:
01. Wouldn't It Be Nice
02. You Still Believe In Me
03. That's Not Me
04. Don'
t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
05. I'm Waiting For The Day
06. Let's Go Away For Awhile
07. Sloop John B
08. God Only Knows
09. I Know There's An Answer
10. Here Today
11. I Just Wasn�t Made For These Times
12. Pet Sounds
13. Caroline, No
14. Bonus Track- Hang On To Your Ego