Pet sounds

"The first of four discs (plus a Blu-Ray audio disc) opens with the mono and then stereo versions of "Pet Sounds." Discs two and three put the listener right there in the control room with Wilson as he works with session musicians to create the melodies in his head while his fellow Beach Boys are recruited to sing the vocals, often harmonizing with Wilson. Disc four includes live cuts culled from 1966 to 1993. Wilson quit touring in 1965 to concentrate on songwriting and studio work so it's interesting to hear how well the other Beach Boys bring the material to life on stage, especially when Carl Wilson delivers the lead vocal on "God Only Knows." (The Beach Boys, sans Brian Wilson, play Van Wezel on Dec. 12).The box set has the look and feel of a slender, handsome coffee table book. The iconic album cover - the band members feeding goats at the San Diego Zoo - adorns the front with a fuzzy effect for the big white goat's hair. The booklet is filled with everything you'dexpectin a box set focused on a single, brilliant album, including a detailed sessionography.Yeah, there are other places for "Pet Sounds" newbies to get started but if you're already a fan or curious about how a pop masterpiece was created using organic sounds, get this 50th anniversary set. It will be receiving lots of play in my household leading up to that Brian Wilson show at Van Wezel".