
An expanded edition, The Pet Sounds Sessions, was released in 1997 with isolated vocals and instrumental versions, session highlights, and the album's first true stereo mix. The album's unprecedented total production cost exceeded $70,000 (equivalent to $560,000 in 2020). An early concept album, it consists mainly of introspective songs like " I Know There's an Answer", a critique of LSD users and " I Just Wasn't Made for These Times", the first use of a theremin-like instrument on a rock record. The album could not be replicated live and was the first time a group departed from the usual small-ensemble electric rock band format for a whole LP. Incorporating elements of pop, jazz, exotica, classical, and the avant-garde, Wilson's Wall of Sound-based orchestrations mixed conventional rock set-ups with elaborate layers of vocal harmonies, found sounds, and instruments never before associated with rock, such as bicycle bells, French horn, flutes, Electro-Theremin, string sections, and beverage cans. It was followed by two singles credited to the group: " Sloop John B" and " Wouldn't It Be Nice" (backed with " God Only Knows"). Lead single " Caroline, No" was issued as his official solo debut. It is sometimes considered a Wilson solo album that builds upon the advancements of The Beach Boys Today! (1965). His goal was to create "the greatest rock album ever made"-a cohesive work with no filler tracks. It was recorded largely between January and April 1966, a year after Wilson quit touring with his bandmates. The album was produced, arranged, and almost entirely composed by Brian Wilson with guest lyricist Tony Asher. It is considered to be among the most influential albums in music history. Promoted there as "the most progressive pop album ever", Pet Sounds garnered recognition for its ambitious production, sophisticated music, and emotional lyric content. In the UK, the album was lauded by critics and reached number 2 on the Top 40 Albums Chart, remaining in the top ten for six months.

It was initially met with a lukewarm critical and commercial response in the U.S., peaking at number 10 on Billboard 's Top LPs chart. Pet Sounds is the eleventh studio album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released on Capitol Records.


" Wouldn't It Be Nice" / " God Only Knows".
