The Beach Boys, "Pet Sounds" Pt. II

04/30/19 • 58 min

In Part II of our "Pet Sounds" series, we finish out the tracks on Side 2, discuss how the cover photo with the goats came to be, and how they came up with "Pet Sounds" for the title of such a sophisticated record. We'll also get into what happens after Brian Wilson's masterwork is released, his decade-long period under a sadistic psychiatrist, and what's happening now for Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys.

Previous Episode

The Beach Boys, "Pet Sounds" Pt. I

After years of constantly touring with The Beach Boys, massive anxiety and stress, and a lifetime of abuse, Brian Wilson finally attempted to put into music the hopelessness, pain, and confusion he could never organize in his own mind. And the result, "Pet Sounds," was a compositional and emotional masterpiece. This album is incredibly special and one of my all-time favorites. In this episode, we'll talk about the band's beginnings in California all the way up through the 7 songs on Side 1 of "Pet Sounds."

Next Episode

Musical Instrument Highlight: The Theremin

The theremin is one of the most unique instruments in the world, and the only one that is played without touching it. In today's episode, we'll talk about Russian inventor Leon Theremin, and how he pulled this new sound out of thin air, literally. We'll also talk about the theremin's use in modern music like The Beach Boys and Led Zeppelin, how the instrument works, and Theremin's secret identity. This episode features music by thereminists Clara Rockmore, Carolina Eyck, Peter Pringle, and Gregoire Blanc.