Providing deeper insight into the making of the album, The Pet Sounds Sessions Highlights compiles standout material from the 1997 Grammy-nominated 4CD box set, The Pet Sounds Sessions, which documented the legendary 1965-66 recording sessions. The new collection features 25 alternate takes, a cappellas, and tracking sessions. Includes new liner notes by longtime Beach Boys historian Howie Edelson, along with a detailed sessionography.

Ahead of the release, The Beach Boys have released a three-track digital EP exploring their classic hit, \"Sloop John B,\" through a stunning a cappella version that isolates the vocal harmonies of Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston, along with a fascinating alternative take featuring Carl in place of Brian on lead. The EP is capped off with the stereo mix.

Breaking away from the surf rock that made them global stars, The Beach Boys' 11th album in just four years marked a dramatic creative shift. Influenced by The Beatles' Rubber Soul and Phil Spector's Wall of Sound production, Brian Wilson set out to create what he called \"a complete statement.\" The result was a groundbreaking work that expanded the possibilities of recorded music through its innovative use of the studio, complex arrangements, and unconventional instrumentation-including theremin and found percussion.

Across its 13 tracks, Pet Sounds introduced a new level of emotional depth and musical sophistication, with intricate harmonies from Brian, Carl, Dennis, Mike, Al, and Bruce. The album's influence extended immediately, inspiring The Beatles and producer George Martin during the creation of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and continues to shape artists and producers today.

While not widely appreciated upon release, six decades later Pet Sounds remains a defining work of modern music. It has consistently ranked at or near the top of critics' and fans' polls worldwide, including No. 1 on MOJO's \"Greatest Albums of All Time\" list in 1995 and No. 2 on Rolling Stone's 2020 \"500 Greatest Albums of All Time.\" As Rolling Stone wrote, \"With its vivid orchestration, lyrical ambition, elegant pacing, and thematic coherence, Pet Sounds invented-and in several senses perfected-the notion that an album could be more than the sum of its parts.\"

TRACKS:
CD 1
1. Wouldn't It Be Nice (Vocals Only)
2. You Still Believe in Me (Vocals Only)
3. I'm Waiting for the Day (Vocals Only)
4. Sloop John B. (Vocals Only)
5. God Only Knows (Vocals Only)
6. Here Today (Vocals Only)
7. I Just Wasn t Made for These Times (Vocals Only)
8. Wouldn't It Be Nice (Stereo Track and Backing Vocals)
9. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) [Brian Wilson's Instrumental Demo]
10. I'm Waiting for the Day (Mike Sings Lead)
11. Sloop John B. (Carl Sings First Verse)
12. God Only Knows (Sax Solo Alternate Version)
13. Hang On to Your Ego (Alternate Mix)
14. Here Today (Alternate Version)

CD 2
1. Wouldn't It Be Nice (Highlights from Tracking Date)
2. Trombone Dixie (Highlights from Tracking Date)
3. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) [vocal Snippet]
4. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) [vocals Only]
5. That's Not Me (Highlights from Tracking Date)
6. Here Today (Stereo Backing Track)
7. I'm Waiting for the Day (Vocals Only)
8. Caroline No (Stereo Mix Original Speed)
9. God Only Knows (Highlights from Tracking Date)
10. Good Vibrations (Highlights from Tracking Date)
11. Good Vibrations (Stereo Backing Track)

OTHER:
Mediatype: 2 CD
Cover: Digipack
Distributor: UNI
Label: US - Capitol

Barcode: 0199957306959
SKU: 267957