Pet Sounds
During the 1960‘s, as the Vietnam war was taking place, the world was in search of freedom at all means. This is when music came to save the day and The Beach boys came together in 1961 in Hawthorne California. Their music communicated a message of love, fun and overall, SURF. Listening to their music was a good way to forget much of what was going on in the world, as their message fed the liberal soul of the nation.
Brian Wilson, leader of the band, along with his brothers Denis and Carl, his cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine, came together to create some of the most outstanding music of these days. With their records, “ Surfin’ Safari ”, “ Surfin’ U.S.A” and “ Surfer Girl ”, The Beach Boys became the most heard band of this time.
With this-same spirit of changing the world, in 1966, as Brain Wilson’s talent stood among his group members, he took a step out of the box to create most of the music and lyrics for the Beach Boys eleventh album, “ Pet Sounds”.
Pet Sounds, although it represented The Beach Boys at the time, this was an album that was created mostly by Brian Wilson in attempt to present much of who he was and what was happening in his life. Brian was well know for his amazing musical talent since his career with The Beach Boys started, and Pet Sounds became the portrait of his soul.
Brian Wilson was very influenced by Phil Spector, the originator of the “ Wall of Sound”, an innovative recording technique. Through Pet Sounds Brian wanted to make use of much of what he had heard from many of Phil’s recording to move in the realm of innovation when writing, performing and recording music. At the same time, much was going on the UK with the music of The Beatles, which Brian also used as an inspiration to create something memorable and distinctive.
My Thoughts on Pet Sounds and Brian Wilson
Furthermore, I was impressed with the musicality of The Pet Sounds, it really is an album that brings together lots of elements that are of an outstanding quality. Songs are very well written, structures are well followed, melodies are catchy, and harmony is very colorful and well placed. Pet Sounds the perfect portrait of much of what Brian had inside of him which wanted to come out for along time. Once all of this came out, the result was one of the most influential records of all times.
Finally, by listening to this album, I would say that Brian’s talent and passion for music is exemplary, as he was an empirical musician who believed in him and his teammates in order to create some of the best music of all times. This is something I earn to do soon, and by preparing my self in school, I know this dream will come to happen at the right time.
Revolver by The Beatles
As the world was changing drastically in the 1960’s, music became a great channel to influence a new generation. These generation believed in freedom of speech, equality of races, love, and world peace, which became the mantra of this time.
The Beatles, an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960, became the vivid image of what the world wanted to express at that moment. With what seemed to be a rebellious look, great musical talent, and much charisma, The Beatles quickly became the greatest band of this days.
Their first album was named “Please, Please Me” and was released in 1963, and quickly became No.1 in the UK. As their popularity grew in the UK, as well as in the US, the Beatles was the first Uk band to have a No. 1 single in the top 10 of the US charts. The Beatle mania kept growing and The Beatles continued to create some of the most remarkable albums this era.
When 1966 came around, as in space history the USSR launched Luna 10, their first Lunar orbiter, ”,The Beatles release a “lunar” record that impacted greatly the music industry; this album was “REVOLVER”.
Revolver is one of the most innovative albums of all times because of its catchy melodies, creative harmonies, instrument textures, and superb recording techniques. With all of these elements together, Revolver reached No. 1 in the Uk and US charts, something that had not been done before by any other artist.
Among the many things that made of this album something memorable in history, the use of ADT (automatic double tracking) and innovative way to record to vocals tracks one of top of the other to give the vocals a thinker feel, made it really stand out among others because of its original sound.
At this time, in “ Revolver ” The Beatles started to create some of the most original sounds with the use of tape recorders played backwards, tape loops, and dynamic effects. All of these, used along with various acoustical instruments, to create an extravagant sound that marked history forever.
Moreover, most records recorded by the Beatles were produced and arranged by George Martin, who is many times called the 5th Beatle. He contributed to much of the Beatles success in the studio when experimenting with new recording and arranging ideas. Martin also became an essential balance when the great drug abuse that Beatles took place when recording this album. Martin was able to directe much of the distorted ideas to something more logical and that made sense.
My Thoughts on Revolver
I believe that the Beatles really change the way music was perceived, listen and recorded forever. Through this album, Revolver, The Beatles demonstrated that music is not only a series of orderly ideas, but the combinations of order and disorder that can bring great results when presented tastefully. The Beatles had an amazing sound, taste to create music, and incredible talent individually and in a group setting that made them who they were.
Through this, I have learned much about getting creative, and creating music with a different approach through the use of various instruments, and techniques to come up with something innovative at all times.
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