Analog Adventures: So Tough!/Pet Sounds

THE BEACH BOYS

CARL & THE PASSIONS – SO TOUGH!/ PET SOUNDS

(1972)

In 1972 The Beach Boys reinvented themselves for their album Carl & the Passions – So Tough! The album title is actually a return to the original name of the band. Carl and Brian Wilson formed what would be known as the Beach Boys, but they were called Carl and the Passions. The album is a more traditional rock album, which contrasts with Pet Sounds. 

If So Tough! Is Carl Wilson’s brainchild, Pet Sounds is Brian Wilson’s magnum opus. Brian had long struggles with mental illness and became increasingly reclusive. He stopped touring with the band and spent all of his time in the studio. While they were touring, he enlisted several studio musicians and created what many music scholars consider the genres first concept album. He created music that was meant to be listened to intently, not just background noise at a high school prom.

The interior of the gate fold

The packaging for the album is contained in a single gate fold. One side has the famous petting zoo picture, and the other has a red hot-rod with a reflection of a palm tree in the mirror. This record is uncommon, but not too expensive. You can easily find a good copy with little surface noise for about $30-40. Well worth the price for a good Beach Boys record bundled with one of rock music’s finest albums

OUTSANDING TRACKS:

SO TOUGH!

You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone

Marcella

Cuddle Up

PET SOUNDS

Wouldn’t it be Nice?

Don’t Cry (Lean Your Head on my Shoulder)

God Only Knows