Wouldn't It Be Nice - Charles L. Granata

This illuminating book offers unique insight into the making of the seminal album, "Pet Sounds", revealing the intimate processes that went into its creation and featuring brand-new interviews with key players. From conception and composition to arrangement and production, the ways in which "Pet Sounds" changed the face of American popular music are chronicled. While "Pet Sounds" carries the tag of being a "Beach Boys" record, this lively expose reveals just how little input the rest of the band had in its recording. Illustrating Brian Wilson's prodigious talent, the book chronicles his ability to turn his back on the protest songs and folk-rock of his contemporaries, and even on the bright surf sound of his own creation, in order to reach deep within himself to make music that struck an emotional chord and touched people's souls. Wilson's ability to embrace the rapidly advancing recording technology of the 1960s and to expertly blend rock 'n' roll, rhythm and blues, and jazz sounds with velvety harmonies and sensitive melodies to create a brand-new studio sound are discussed. An intimate portrait of Wilson's family, breakdown, and drug use is included.