The Beach Boys - "Pet Sounds" (Japanese Greenline 2800 CD - CP28-1003)

Gang-Twanger

Gang-Twanger

Resident Wharfedaliophool
Artist - The Beach Boys
Album - Pet Sounds
Label - Capitol
Format - CD
Year - 1966
Year Of CD Release - 1987
Country Of Issue - Japan
CD Matrix - CP28-1003 (Label is listed as Greenline 2800 and reads so on the CD case)

This album is like a beautiful painting or a a fine, vintage wine. It's Brian Wilson's pure, poetic soul poured out on paper - lyrics of a man much older than he was. It's just a masterpiece. It's perfect. In every way. Definitely my all-time favorite album. But for a long time I found the recording to be harsh, almost unlistenable. But then the stereo mix came along - Hooray! (and it IS a nice mastering - It just wasn't what Mr. Wilson had intended [Wilson's original mix is in mono] - For those who don't know, Brian has little or no hearing in one ear so he essentially HEARS in mono) I lived with the stereo mix for a long time before catching the vintage audio bug over the last couple years and joining Steve Hoffman's forum - and that's where I found out about the DCC versions. With the audiophile crowd, the only way to listen to "Pet Sounds" is with the original mono mix done by Brian himself. And the DCC "Pet Sounds" LP and gold CD are generally-known to be the most-popular audiophile versions for that album. However, there is a not-so-well-known (and cheaper) alternative - the Greenline 2800 CD (This was a Japanese pressing from 1987 - The matrix is CP28-1003). Now as far as I've read, this was a promo CD given out to reviewers and disc jockeys prior to an eventual release, but I've read conflicting statements on this so I can't say for sure. If anybody has better info than I do, please feel free to post it.

Now I got my copy for $20 from a member of another forum, and he stopped buying them because the Audio Fidelity version was coming out soon and he figured why bother keeping a supply of the other kind. But these can still be had without too-much trouble if you go online (or better yet you live in Japan). You shouldn't really pay more than $50-$75 for a clean-looking, non-obi copy (Maybe $40-$50 from a forum member/friend, and $50-$75 from your online retailers - However, I should note that it's been quite a few months since I've checked the market for them, so it could be a little bit more these days). Still, I consider $20-$75 a steal for how much I've listened to this thing. I actually had to put it on the shelf for a few months (probably 6 or so) because I was listening to it so much that I was afraid that I would get too-sick of it and never listen again.

I have the DCC gold CD (but not the LP), and to me the Greenline disc is much-warmer and smoother, less-fatiguing, and with a much-more-polished soundstage. Also, as another forum member pointed out, the harmonies on the DCC CD can be a little harsh at high volumes, yet they're nice and clean on the GL CD. And I've felt that the overall volume is a little too-high for my tastes on the DCC (It's great for the car, but a little loud for home - I like to be able to turn my stereo up a little and let it breath - I think I get better sound this way, and that's why I like the quieter CD masterings because they allow you to goose the volume without killing your ears), and the GL is one of those quieter discs from the '80's that responds well when you crank it. The DCC has more detail, absolutely - and a deeper bass response, but it should because the master tape was used to do the mastering (The GL uses a copy and not the actual master). And even though the DCC does beat the GL in those two areas, I truly feel the GL more than makes up for it with it's warmth, smoothness, and more-polished soundstage (not to mention the cleaner-sounding background vocals, and those are what the Beach Boys are all about). I've tried to mix it up a bit and listen to several different versions, but I always comeback around to the GL. I can't say enough about this CD. Of all the versions I have (including the Simply Vinyl LP), I "enjoy" the music the most on the GL. I strongly-recommend searching this one out - especially if you don't dig the sound of the DCC. And the Greenline has slightly-different bonus stuff (The "Hang On To Your Ego" track is there, but there's a quick harmony rehearsal track that's really-cool - "Un-released BKG'S").
:thmbsp:

And by the way, who else thinks the two instrumentals are the best songs on the album?

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This album makes me think of that movie "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" and that scene where he's been doing too-much acid and he's trying to make his "masterpiece".

"It's not finished yet...... I'm hearing more Aboriginal percussionists. And I want an army of didgeridoos. 50,000 didgeridoos!"

"Uhhh, folks..... Can we have a minute with Dewey?"

"Did you hear that? I think that goat's been singin' more than I am on this damn song."
 
There were a couple of two disc sets released. The one I have is the Capital/EMI 09463-69940-2-4. This set has a mono and two-channel stereo mix on a CD. The second disc (DVD) contains 1) Album program in Hi-Res 96 kHz/24-bit PCM Stereo, 2) Album program in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and 3) Hang On To Your Ego in Hi-Res 96 kHz/24-bit PCM Mono.

The twenty-eight page booklet that comes with this set is also quite interesting.
 
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tcdriver said:
There were a couple of two disc sets released. The one I have is the Capital/EMI 09463-69940-2-4. This set has a mono and two-channel stereo mix on a CD disc. The second disc contains 1) Album program in Hi-Res 96 kHz/24-bit PCM Stereo, 2) Album program in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and 3) Hang On To Your Ego in Hi-Res 96 kHz/24-bit PCM Mono.

The twenty-eight page booklet that comes with this set is also quite interesting.
Click to expand...

I assume that's not the box set (which I thought was 3CD's - Not sure). I didn't know there was a high-rez version of it (and a 5.1 mix as well - I REALLY had no idea about that one).

As far as the mono mix is concerned, most of the new ones from the '90's and current editions just have a harsh-sounding mono mix on them. I haven't heard the Japanese Pastmasters one that came out aeound '90 or so, but I've been told by many sources that the Greenline is the better choice. Really the only good-sounding mono CD versions I know of are the Greenline, the DCC, and the Audio Fidelity CD (which used the same source tape as the DCC, but was mastered using different equipment - People seem to slightly-prefer the DCC over the Audio Fidelity disc).

I'll have to check online about the version you have.

Boy, the weirdest thing happened to me. I came home yesterday, fed my cat, and sat down in my big chair around 7:00PM to watch a movie (My cat jumped up and sat on my lap - It was dark by this point). The next thing I know, I open my eyes, and my cat is still sitting on my lap and the movie is still playing (It was about halfway through), but I can see light shining through my window. I get up and look at the time, and it says 7:00AM!! I was like, "Oh crap, I'm supposed to be on my way out the door right now!!". I was all disoriented and rushing around (and I was hungry as hell, so I was a little nauseous as well - I didn't have time to shower or anything). I hate when that happens. I slept 12 straight hours without waking up once. That's the strangest feeling when you wake up like that. I feel great now though (I should, after sleeping for twelve straight hours without so much as a twitch). The weirdest part is that the movie I was watching is from a folder on my PC, and there are 5 or 6 other similar movies in that same folder - It had played through all of them all night long, and had somehow ended up back on the same movie, only about 45 minutes into it (It's a folder of classic zombie flicks from the last 40 years - George Romero stuff - I probably had some interesting dreams while I was snoozin').
 
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The mono mix is really an audiophile/purist thing. For the people who aren't as "pressing-particular" as the people over at the Steve Hoffman forum, you'll probably be fine with the stereo mix on the 2001 remaster (which probably isn't even the latest one Capitol put out). The stereo remix actually sounds very-good - It's just not Brian Wilson's original vision, although I believe he supervised the remixing session. I listened to that version for years before I realized that there was a good-sounding mono version. The Greenline CD has better mids than the stereo version though.
 
Looking online I see that there are quite a few versions of Pet Sounds available including a DVD-Audio version. It would seem that what I have is the 40th Anniversary Limited-Edition version.

Here is what is printed in the booklet provided with the two disc version I have:

________________________________________________________________

Original Recordings Produced by Brian Wilson:

16-bit Stereo Mixes (CD) Produced and Engineered by Mark Linettt at Your Place Or Mine Recording Studios, Glendale, CA January-February 1996 under the supervision of Brian Wilson (originally released November 4, 1997 on THE PET SOUNDS SESSIONS box set)

Mono Bonus Track (CD) Mixed by Larry Walsh and Mark Linett at Capital Mastering Studios, Hollywood CA, December 1987

Remastered by Joe Gastwirt at Oceanview Digital Mastering, Los Angeles, CA, 2000 using the HDCD process. Audio Supervision by Mark Linett.

Hi-Res PCM Stereo Mix (DVD) Remastering by Joe Gastwirt at Oceanview Digital Mastering, Los Angeles, CA, 2002 using the HDCD process Audio Supervision by Mark Linett.

Surround Mix (DVD) Produced and Engineered by Mark Linett under the supervision of Brian Wilson. Mixed at Your Place Or Mine Recording Studios, Glendale, CA, April-July 2002

Surround Mastered by Steve Hall and Joe Gastwirt at Future Disc, Hollywood, CA, 2002.

Hi-Res PCM Mono Bonus Track Remastered by Mark Linett at Your Place Or Mine Recording Studios, Glendale, CA, November 2005.

DVD Authoring & Design: Abbey Road Interactive

40th Anniversary Limited-Edition Producers: Rob Christie (CD) and Keving Flaherty (DVD)

40th Anniversary Limited-Edition Design: Tom Recchion and Wayne Smith

________________________________________________________________

In addition, on the back cover it states:

“PET SOUNDS originally released in 1966 on Capital as T-2458. This compilation © ® 2006 Capital Records, Inc. Manufactured by Capital Records, Inc., 1750 Vine Street, Hollywood, California 90028….”

________________________________________________________________
 
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Nice review.

I'm OK with the 40th anniversary mixes. The stereo version in DVD-A is fun. I would agree that this 40th set sounds a tad digital, but it is WAY better than the 1990s single mono CD.

I passed on the AF since I generally listen to the Brother Records LP.

Ken
 
KeninDC said:
Nice review.

I'm OK with the 40th anniversary mixes. The stereo version in DVD-A is fun. I would agree that this 40th set sounds a tad digital, but it is WAY better than the 1990s single mono CD.

I passed on the AF since I generally listen to the Brother Records LP.

Ken
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I agree. The 90's mono CD is a travesty. I have it. I DO want to get the '80's LP pressing with the green label. That's supposed to be great-sounding, according to Steve Hoffman. As far as CD pressings go, you won't do any better than the DCC or the Greenline. I prefer the GL because I find the DCC a little fatiguing at higher volumes. Also, the harmonies sound better on the GL. Those 2 reasons are enough to sway me. I don't like fatiguing CD's at all (The DCC is great for the car though - Hee-Hee). When I have more than one pressing of any given album, it all comes down to which version I ENJOY the music the most with. In other words, which version is the least-distracting. Despite any shortcomings the GL may or may not have, I enjoy the music the most when I'm listening to it. It's very-pleasant and relaxing compared to the other monos I've heard (CD OR LP). More-musical and less-distracting. And it's got better mids than the stereo mix (only due to the separation - The stereo version is still a great mix).
 
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Regarding tcdriver's last post, that version has the same 16-bit tracks as my 2001 version - and that's really the best "available" version at the moment (The stereo version has a great soundstage - But then again, so does the GL). I like Joe Gastwirt's masterings a lot. He mastered the best CD version of Yes' "Fragile" album - Sounds awesome. The hi-rez tracks I've never heard before.

Still, I'm a stickler for a mono version, and I think the GL sounds better than the stereo version anyway. Like I said, richer mids. It also depends on how much someone likes the album itself. For me, I can't go on long trips without a copy. It's #1 or #2 on my desert island Top 10.
 
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This is all good information. I'm not very knowledgeable about all the different versions of this album, but approximately a year ago I bought the newly released Japanese double lp of this album. One lp was stereo, the other mono, the vinyl is colored. With the mono version I totally hear the fatigue factor you're talking about, it's as if the vocals are turned up too high and I can't get the rest of the music to a desirable level without hurting my ears. I was a bit disappointed with that.
 
My third attempt to get Pet Sounds right led me, at KeninDC's recommendation, to the mono reissue that came with the forgettable Carl and the Passions: So Tough. I scored a mint copy for peanuts and it sounds fantastic.

This is my Pet Sounds version and I am sticking with it.
 
Born 'n raised in Southren(sic) California I was never aware of this album although I loved the songs that made it to the radio. I am now becoming acquainted with "Pet Sounds" and loving it, but I will immediately return the CD to the Public Library before I overplay and become jaded to it...Naw.
 
tubed said:
Born 'n raised in Southren(sic) California I was never aware of this album although I loved the songs that made it to the radio. I am now becoming acquainted with "Pet Sounds" and loving it, but I will immediately return the CD to the Public Library before I overplay and become jaded to it...Naw.
Click to expand...

I have a rule when it comes to me all-time favorite albums (CD's, LP's, digital files, whatever): Whenever I reach that point where I'm getting bored with it due to overplaying, I put it on the shelf and leave it there and do my best to resist playing it until I seriously-start jones'ing for it again (This can go on for 6 months or more sometimes). I really think it's important to do this if it's an album I really-respect (like "Pet Sounds"). I wouldn't want it to become like "Steve Miller's Greatest Hits" ('73-'77, or whatever that is). My brother and his friends totally-overplayed that one back in the mid '80's, and I haven't been able to listen to it since (Just that best-of - I can handle the regular studio albums). I'd hate to see that happen to "Pet Sounds".

Anyway, it's been a good 6 months or more sinceI last heard it, and now I'm totally-ready for it.
 
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