SMiLE

Brian Wilson’s long-awaited SMiLE is sadly beautiful. Appropriately, I found this “teenage symphony to God” in the gospel section at Target. From the first a cappella notes to the euphoric “Good Vibrations,” it evokes a reverent feeling of history and aged angst suffused with the musty scent of yellowed snapshots of surfers who have long since grown up. That SMiLE brings a sort of malaise shouldn’t surprise, for the pursuit of it drove Wilson to a mental breakdown, with both the composer and his work languishing under speculation for 30-plus years. The album flows easily, depicting snatches of Wilson’s self-indulgent genius as well as his depression. The upbeat “Heroes and Villains” spins like a manic amusement park, while the haunting “Surf’s Up” beautifully illustrates Wilson’s dilemma over being an adult longing to be a child, and “Mrs. Leary’s Cow” describes his descent into madness, as well as psychedelic musical pyrotechnics. Though the original “Good Vibrations” is still a masterpiece, the SMiLE version with Wilson’s aging vocals and flatter instrumentation lacks its vibrance. SMiLE certainly intrigues, yet it leaves me thirsty for the freshness of Pet Sounds.