We all know that The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" was inspired by The Beatles' "Rubber Soul" and in turn, "Pet Sounds" inspired the envelope pushing of "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" yet I can't help but wonder if side two of "Today!" - as well as the finer points of "Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)" didn't give the fab four a little incentive as well. And with all the praise deservedly heaped upon '66's "Pet Sounds", it's easy to overlook the fact that Brian had begun lining that gilded cage back in '64 with the shockingly honest "Don't Worry Baby".
"Today!" consisted of three previously released singles, an embryonic "Help Me, Ronda", and two new tunes packed into side one for an old-fashioned Beach Boys romp in the sun but, as fun as that may be, it's side two where things get interesting, kicking off with the gorgeous tremble of "Please Let Me Wonder". It aches with anticipation, aided by a guitar riff that tips it's hat to The Crystals' "And Then He Kissed Me". The bass line throbs with expectation and Brian Wilson sings as tenderly as one can without resorting to whispers, asking so many questions without once using the appropriate punctuation. It's 'will you go with me' sans the 'yes' or 'no' boxes, 'will you marry me' before buying the ring, and 'will you sleep with me' minus the awkward condom wrapper. If you haven't succumbed at this point, Carl's 'I love you' should seal the deal nicely even if you are actually looking over his shoulder at Dennis.
No comments:
Post a Comment