6. The Beach BoysPet Sounds
I like it so much for how it uses strange sounds and instruments and the fantastic harmonies. But what I find most compelling is the production. I get that a lot with music: strange sounds and production techniques and I’m immediately attracted to it. I like things that sound a bit odd and Brian Wilson was just the king of that, wasn’t he? I don’t actually know how long he spent on Pet Sounds but you can tell a lot of work has gone into it. Again, another genuine eccentric. Slightly mad, actually, in his case, I think. Comes out in the music. I know that everything that’s worth saying about this has probably been said, but it’s still quite incredible.
Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: Sylvie Simmons, Rufus Wainwright, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Brix Smith-Start, Tom Tom Club, Jeff Lynne
