Audio By Carbonatix
It’s been a long time since the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson first began orchestrating one of rock’s most anticipated albums. Finally, after nearly four and a half decades of half-releases and bootlegs, Capitol Records is issuing the official release of the Beach Boys‘ long lost album Smile.
Wilson reconstructed his masterpiece in 2004 and laid the groundwork for today’s full album release, which was initially scheduled for 1967. The sessions have been compiled into a two-CD set, as well as digital and deluxe expanded box sets.
Fresh off of the success of Pet Sounds, Wilson and the rest of the Boys got to work on their next great opus. Lyndon B. Johnson was still holding down the presidency, famed Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach celebrated his last NBA championship, and the Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Ernesto Miranda in the historical Miranda v. Arizona case. The year was 1966.
The pop music landscape was a strange one, with bubblegum pop and some of rock ‘n’ roll’s boldest steps being taken by artists. What would have happened if Smile had seen the light of day? How would it have impacted the world of music?
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Here’s a list of songs to help relive the music landscape Wilson’s contemporaries were painting while he was mad at work.
“Last Train to Clarksville” – The Monkees
“Summer in the City” – The Lovin’ Spoonful
“These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” – Nancy Sinatra
“Wild Thing” – The Troggs
“Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” – Cher
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