How to respond nicely to someone who says Pet Sounds is the most over-rated album in the world?

I must admit I didn't adore Pet Sounds right away, aside from the singles.

This was in the vinyl era still (early 80s, when I first listened to my $4 bargain copy)--but I'd accidentally set the needle down on a favorite track, and catch the end of the previous. And sure enough, those little sparks ignited the kindling that got me going on the rest of the album.

It's an album with a lot of subtleties--perhaps too subtle for plain old rock ears. (Certainly mine, at first.) But it's got a depth to it that truly makes it worth repeated listens for decades on end. And just when I thought I was done re-listening to it, the great podcast Sail On featured a whole series picking apart the recording process, and I heard it all with new ears all over again. As Van Dyke Parks said later about SMiLE, it's "durable goods".

(And oh yeah, SMiLE is my all-time favorite. Pet Sounds is up there, though.)

 

I've learned from this forum that the UK first pressing was fold down mix of duophonic. Was the US first pressing also fake duophonic?

 

Kindly nod and say "you are right".

 

I guess everyone has the right to their opinions.
It s not against the law not to like Pet Sounds or Beach Boys.

 

I’d say “you too?”.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Actually I probably don’t think it’s THE most overrated album, but it’s up there. I guess I get why people think it’s a masterpiece - and I think parts are great - but most of it is pedestrian IMO.

 

For me, about half of "Pet Sounds " is excellent and the rest is variable but below excellent. It is not in my "top ten' of the best ever. Yet it is uniquely intriguing as it was possibly Brain's most pure and unbridled expression of his musical vision.

 

Though I may be misreading, was the US first pressing also fold down of Duophonic?

 

Thank you for the clarification.

 

"There are records more overrated"

 

"You are a person of low taste. Please go away and darken my towels no more. "

 

SHOTS FI-YERD!

 

You say, 'Oh,I disagree.'You then may explain why you think it is important.But,for me,it is an album I admire more than play .I just don't connect with its mood.

 

That's cool. How about Wild Honey instead?

(I love the Beach Boys, but Pet Sounds isn't even in my top 5. That's how opinions work sometimes).

 

Wild Honey I find almost unlistenable beyond a couple of tracks.I am a Smile fan and those 68/69 tracks
...I think The beach boys are the group who I love and dislike in equal measure..those early surf tracks leave me cold as does the post Holland stuff..

 

"I know a music forum you'd love."

 

Yes, this is how it works with the Beach Boys.

 

Say Dark Side of the Moon is instead.

 

Actually it's the Wall but I get your point.

 

You leave it alone; you can't change someone's personal opinion regardless of how wrong you think they may be. All that matters is the enjoyment you get from their music.

 

I have a real problem with the words 'overrated' and 'underrated'. Neither has anything whatsoever to do with how good or bad something is, but about how one person feels it should be perceived by others. Mainly - who are we kidding here? - male, wannabe rock critics on the internet.

'Overrated' = too many people like it. Oh no!

'Underrated' - woefully misunderstood by everyone in the world apart from me and a small bunch of true connoisseurs, who really get it. If this changes, then said item will become 'overrated' and I'll moan about that instead.

 

I think your post is underrated now but as it gets more likes it will become overrated.
You are fundamentally right, but I will take either from someone who's opinion I respect or trust, especially if I'm well acquainted with their tastes.

 

For me it's Animals. I like the album, but I don't understand why anyone would say it's the best PF album.

 

Do a lot of people say that, though?