Sixty years after the release of Pet Sounds, the legendary album that revolutionized pop music, the Beach Boys' former bandmates, Mike Love and Al Jardine, are still honoring its legacy in their own unique ways. Despite the absence of a joint tour, both artists have found creative avenues to pay tribute to the iconic record. While Mike Love's officially licensed version of the Beach Boys has been delving deeper into Pet Sounds, Al Jardine and his band have been adding more songs from the album to their set list.
Mike Love's band has been making waves with their expanded Pet Sounds repertoire. With the addition of Chris Cron, a talented vocalist who recreates vintage Beach Boys harmonies, the band has been able to introduce lesser-known tracks like 'I'm Waiting for the Day' into their live shows. Christian Love, Mike's son, takes center stage on 'God Only Knows', while Brian Eichenberger, a former member of Brian Wilson's touring band, leads on 'Wouldn't It Be Nice'. The band's vocal harmony is truly remarkable, especially on 'Sloop John B'.
Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band, on the other hand, have been celebrating the album's anniversary by adding more songs to their set list. They've been performing nine of the album's 13 songs, including 'I'm Waiting for the Day', 'I Know There's an Answer', 'Here Today', 'Pet Sounds', and 'Caroline, No'. This is a significant shift from their earlier focus on The Beach Boys Love You, a 1977 oddball LP. Al's son, Matt, takes the lead on 'God Only Knows' and 'Wouldn't It Be Nice', showcasing his impressive vocal range.
The tension between the two former bandmates is palpable. Mike Love's insistence on changing the lyrics of 'Hang On to Your Ego' to 'I Know There's an Answer' is a clear dig at Al. Al's response, 'Hold on, those aren't the right lyrics', is a subtle yet powerful statement. The fact that Mike Love hasn't played a single song from The Beach Boys Love You since 1979 further highlights the rift between the two.
The Pet Sounds 60th anniversary celebration is far from over. Al Jardine has the opportunity to add the remaining four songs to his set list and perform the album straight through. While it's unlikely that Mike Love will ever perform the full Pet Sounds, the fact that he's been adding more songs to his set list is a positive development. The two artists may never perform together, but their individual tributes to Pet Sounds are a testament to its enduring legacy.
