Smiley Smile/Wild Honey

First I'll mention the remastering- it's top notch on this HDCD, the Beach Boys harmonies and complex musical arrangements never sounded better. The 2 albums are bit of a mixed bag. There are those iconic hit singles which are pop perfection and then there are the idiosyncratic self indulgent experiments that are searching for a good melody or lyric and fail to hit the mark. Brian Wilson suffered a complete breakdown as a result of his obsession with recording/song writing and the search for perfection. What we get here is a real insight into his thought process of a pop genius and his working methods and techniques as he constructs his compositions from the kernel of an idea and creates pop symphonies.

Two later albums made after the release of the iconic 'Pet Sounds', when Brian Wilson was on the verge of madness or a complete breakdown because of all the hours spent in the recording studio seeking perfection (and rather a lot of 'pill popping' I would imagine). Other members of the Beach Boys themselves were also possessed with their own thoughts, prone to arguments and falling out, but out came this little lot -- perhaps over produced in places, but none the less still the work of a genius. Loved to hear 'You're Welcome' (once a 'B' side) again in the Bonus tracks -- how to make an anthem out of just a two word lyric! Altogether a nice album (or two) to have, especially as 'Wild Honey' very nearly didn't get released at all!

I'm a big Beach Boys fan, and have been since 32 Deuce Coupe back at the beginning of the Sixties, but this is absolute crap, sounds like they were all on something, and just a compilation of outtakes. So bad, I've already donated it to a charity shop. Don't bother, it will put you off the Beach Boys, and they made so many good LP's, this is the worst.

This is very much a game of 2 halves, given that 'Smiley Smile' has the feel of a very disjointed album whilst 'Wild Honey' represents something of a return to form. The highlights of this package include 'Heroes and Villains', the glorious 'Good Vibrations' and, from 'Wild Honey', the lovely 'Darlin'. As Beach Boys '2fers' go, this is not one of the strongest couplings on offer but, at a decent price, it is certainly worth buying this package to add to your collection.

Brilliant album! Brought back memories from when I saw them in the 60’s.

Not aged very well.

This is not the best moment for The Beach Boys in their golden years

Until the 2004 release of: "Brian Wilson presents SMILE" ,this was the closest a listener could come to experiencing the legendary unrecorded masterpiece. Bits and pieces exist here,and you would need to look around to get a near-complete idea of how SMILE would have been,such as the track Surf's Up,which is not on Smiley Smile.You will find some mediocre tracks here,but there are some gems such as Heroes & Villains,Good Vibrations, Wonderful, and on the Wild Honey album, Country Air & Darlin'.All of these Capitol Beach Boys releases are great value,as each release has two complete albums,as well as bonus tracks, such as an alternate take of Heroes & Villains and two alternate versions of Good Vibrations. You can hear the brilliant Carol Kaye on Fender Bass clearly.In my opinion she never got the credit due to her for her contribution to the Beach Boys sound.These CDs have plenty of background information about each track,and pictures.A very good buy.