User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 522 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 398 out of 522
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Mixed: 39 out of 522
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Negative: 85 out of 522
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DavidCJun 1, 2006
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PaulWMay 19, 2006
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SmittyPApr 19, 2006The world is a much better place with the release of this album. Our and future generations should be eternally thankful to Darian and the band for helping push Brian over this hump. A true masterpiece on par with Gershwin. I have nothing but sympathy for those who are unable to truly appreciate the depth, complexity and innovation of this album.
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cliftonbApr 3, 2006
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SeamusSMar 30, 2006
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mikeJan 23, 2006brian wilson is god
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matthewkJan 7, 2006The greatest music i have ever heard !
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karmaJan 6, 2006if i had to pick just one album to take with me to a desert island, this would be it.
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LeoSJan 2, 2006Simply the greatest album ever released
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SuzanDec 16, 2005Melodic, masterly crafted, way ahead of its time for the late 60's, simply smile-worthy!!
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ZapRDec 13, 2005Simply the greatest album ever released -- it transcends pop music to create something both new and old -- part Americana, part whimsical escapism, part pure pop, part symphony. The lyrics are both non-sensical and lucid, and Wilson's compositions are breathtakingly, beautiful, such as "Wonderful." This is music to make us smile.
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JMoskalNov 25, 2005Couldn't have been better
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davekNov 16, 2005I have been waiting for this along time ..I just wish it was done by the beach boys of the 60's
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JohnGNov 7, 2005As close to perfection as is humanly possible.
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ThiscdisgreatOct 21, 2005Have another listen folks, although this music is not for everyone, there is no denying the genius in the writing ,arranging and producing. We are lucky to have this at all.
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DriRSep 7, 2005Wonderful! Brilliant!
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TristramCSep 6, 2005
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salomeySep 2, 2005
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JamesSaysThisAug 16, 2005
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JordanSAug 12, 2005
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NicBJul 23, 2005I wasn't a fan of the Beach Boys, I wasn't not a fan either - they were just always there in the background of my life, but that was until Glastonbury 2005 when I saw Brian Wilson play live. Now I'm a fan. An annoying one who won't shut up about him!
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ErickC.Jun 27, 2005
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GregBJun 24, 2005
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GaryAJun 6, 2005
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anthonyrJun 1, 2005total masterpiece from the opening our pray to the ending good vibes ... proves all along that it would changed the music scene and will do so now ... sgt what i dont think so... well done Brian and VDP .. and his bandmates a must cd to own musical history ... dig Anthony
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KevMay 29, 2005Best album ever recorded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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mattaMay 27, 2005Not as classic as "Pet Sounds" but still amazing, especially considering this was really all written back in the 60's. Too bad that it wasn't released back then, becuase if it had been, it probably would have the same status as Pet Sounds does today. IN any case, it is a great album, but something has definetely been lost by the four decade delay of the release.
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JoeDMay 24, 2005All I can say is wow. This is so much different than anything else I have heard yet it is still amazing. Congrats to Brian Wilson for finally realizing his masterpiece!
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CarlosBMay 18, 2005ROCK AND ROLL produced only TWO GENIUS until today : one white, BRIAN WILSON, and one black , JIMI HENDRIX. Listen to this album and you will have a demonstration of what I said.
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TomFMay 13, 2005SMiLE is just undoubtedly the greatest music ever written. While the new tracks are missing a little of the heart of the 1967 tracks, they are close enough. The production on this album has yet to be tested by another musician.
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SamKMay 12, 2005
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VincentXMay 11, 2005An amusing anachronism brought to us with style. Though It all sounds a little too "thought-out" to me. I picture Brian Wilson in laboratory instead of a studio. I just can't listen to it in one go. For that it is all too much a musical disneyland. So, listen to this one for about 15 minutes and then switch to Hobo Sunrise by the Hunches as quick as possible.
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JustinKApr 29, 2005If you don't like this, you don't like music!
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ScottHApr 26, 2005
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stevepApr 12, 2005A true Classic ! ! !
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MaciejWApr 8, 2005Plain and simple, it made me happy, it made me nod my head in appreciation and it made me smile. In essence, sometimes that is all music needs to do. Brilliant.
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MarillionMar 22, 2005Smile is quite simply the greatest triumph in the history of pop music! Bautiful! Thank you Brian! Welcome in Montreux this summer 05! A long time swiss fan!
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ryanMar 7, 2005I think most americans forgot how good pop music can be Ashlee Simpson should feel ashamed after listening to this CD
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JürgenRMar 4, 2005The best album of all time!!!
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AllanHFeb 16, 2005Everything you hoped and dreamed it would be and more. For it not only to live up to it's legendary reputations after all these year, but exceed it is a simply remarkable acheivement.
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SharonDFeb 13, 2005Excellent. One of the greatest albums ever made. A true masterpiece.
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Bluebird.Feb 11, 2005Truly awesome music/sounds! Puts a SMiLE on my face and in my soul each time I hear it. Brian Wilson's best!!! Rock, Rock, Roll.......
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EdwardBJan 27, 2005Puts to rest any reservations that Mike Love's an idiot. The Beach Boys became irrelevant as a result of this betrayal. Justice and Brian Wilson triumphs at long last. A great visonary work of immense importance.
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FernandoMJan 27, 2005This album is amazing, makes me give a smile every time that I put om my cd player. Strongly recomended
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PaulJJan 26, 2005Wonderful, at last an L.P (!) to listen too
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GeorgeKJan 21, 2005The most unique record that I have ever listened to
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RyanBJan 21, 2005Incredible, soak it in.
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MurielB.Jan 20, 2005Look ! Listen ! Vibrate ! Smile !
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PeterBJan 19, 2005Astounding!
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ArielNJan 18, 2005Smile Brian, You Did It Again.
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BrianYJan 18, 2005A triumph of the human spirit and a beautiful piece of utterly fun, pop, perfection. The best album in years.
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PaulAJan 16, 2005Perfection
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GeorgeDJan 15, 2005Sensational from start to finish.
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JindrichHJan 15, 2005Beautiful....
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SteveHJan 14, 2005Brilliant! Worth the wait
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KentGJan 14, 2005
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JohnnyWJan 13, 2005Its a great album. Although its different then the other BB albums, its got great lyrics and beautiful instrumentation. I love to sing along to the songs such as Cabinessence and Heroes and Villians, and singing makes me, well, SMILE!
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GaryRJan 13, 2005Awe-struck! More appreciated in 2004/5 than it would've been in 1967. Actually makes the music of 67 and yes even Peppe, sound dated. Smile was made for these times!
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JohnSJan 10, 2005
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bobbycJan 7, 2005
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MartyMJan 7, 2005Brilliant. Smile is finally released and I was not disappointed at all. The hype was definitely deserved.
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DaveDJan 7, 2005Best album since Brainwashed. That's along time.
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JRJan 6, 2005
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GaryNJan 5, 2005Outstanding CD. Complex music that grabs you from the first listen. Unique, expanding the meaning of rock music. Vocals are complicated but catchy so they don't leave your head. Heard it several times and it gets better with every listen.
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DougPJan 4, 2005Nobody's perfect; but this is as close as it gets.
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joejJan 4, 2005Brilliant!
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TomPJan 3, 2005Unique and brilliant. I feel honored to have been able to see Smile performed live, and I bought two copies of the CD - one for home and one for my office.
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JeffFJan 2, 2005Imagine if this had been released in 1967 as originally scheduled. This would have been one of the groundbreaking albums of all time. As it is , it is still amazing. this guy is or was a musical genius with a very capital "G". its too bad his own family caused his descent into a 20 year drug addled and mentally ill stupor. This man deserves all the kudos given. an american treasure.
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jimsJan 2, 2005Pop symphony, have never heard anything like it
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JohnFDec 31, 2004The finest collection of gumball jamz this side of the Baltic Ocean, hands down.
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jonhDec 31, 2004if possible, I'd take this music to those who have never heard it-a musical missionary if you will-to not hear this glorious soundscape can be nothing but a lost connection with sheer musical perfection-
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kevinsDec 30, 2004Unf**kinbelieveable. 37 years later this masterpiece is recreated by a ubertalented group of Brian Wilson minions. Absolutely fantastic. Miss it and lose out on the best album that you'll likely hear this side of 2000. Dig it or die.
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StephenBDec 28, 2004Quite simply, the greatest Pop/Rock album of all time. Nothing else even comes close!
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LuCindiMDec 26, 2004The world is finally ready for Brian Wilson-the complex Brian. He gave us his joy, his sadness, his dreams, his hopes, his fears, his dismay and we are all lucky to finally be able to thank Brian..thank you for your (audio/visual) "Smile".
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StevenLDec 22, 2004best cd ever.
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AndrewMDec 20, 2004
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ShaneWDec 16, 2004I never heard anything like it before. Brilliant.
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ealonorrigbyDec 14, 2004mack G poves he is a musical neanderthal, he/she most probably finds chopin,bach, mozart boring.....peasant
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DavidFDec 6, 2004Absolute Classic. Smile sounds so fresh, even though it was conceived all those years ago. Anyone who has heard and enjoyed the Unsupassed masters Vol. 17 Smile Sessions 3 cd set, will be thrilled that Brian has managed to weave all the threads of Smile into a cohesive whole.
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ealonrrigbyDec 5, 2004excellnt
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CaptainStubingDec 2, 2004
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midnightdreadDec 2, 2004
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davidjDec 2, 2004The 37 year wait and finally......its here,probably the greatest album in the world.....EVER....Brian Wilson The Messiah brings a Masterpiece to his loving flock.
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DannoJDec 1, 2004Ha HA - that guy prefered Surfin Safari to Cabinessence. well that says it all doesn't it. SMiLE is the best album of the year - listen for yourself and hear
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FatciderjohnTheBassbeastNov 26, 2004This arrived the day before my first born son-Lucas. Frankly, I've not stopped playing it. Complete Wilson Genius. Incredible, I really did think Brian had lost it until this. I knew it would be good after seeing it live in the summer. I just knew it! Brian I love you. A thousand thankyoooooos.
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LynnC.Nov 20, 2004It's amazing. It's so musically sophisticated. There's really nothing like it out there still. It feels more like musical progression has gone backwards since 1967, when this would have come out originally. If it would have, I bet Beach Boys would be thought of very different than they are today. It's so joyous yet odd. Love it. Can't quit listening.
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stevebNov 18, 2004
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BrianVNov 13, 2004Absolutely, genius. Brian Wilson and his masterwork. Thank you for giving us this Brian.
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LionelRNov 12, 2004I was 15 years old in 1967 and this album is not unlike a magic carpet ride back in time. It is clever, it is amusing but most of all it is deeply disturbing. I have downrated it by 2 points because I sense that it is technically inferior to "what it shud've sounded like" parts of it lack the tight control which is after all the beachboys' trademark
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ByronJNov 7, 2004This cd may be the best one i've ever purchased. It's quite rewarding if you look deep beneath the surface, as sometimes with Brian Wilson's music(and a few other artists) so much is going on you can't take it all in, in one go. It will take multiple listens for you to fully grasp the reality of the situation.
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ChrisHNov 1, 2004
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JimMOct 30, 2004Great music, great composer, GREAT band! Brian's band pulls off what the Beach Boys never could. I can't get enough of this CD!
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MarkAOct 29, 2004Simply put ... Stunning! I've listened to it several times a day for three weeks and I still love hearing it. My opinion is that it is better than Pet Sounds, better than Sgt Pepper.
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tommygOct 27, 2004Beautiful. Warm. A down-filled concept record that dosen't weigh you down. Harkens back to when times were a little bit better, less confused, but still looks forward with confidence and opitimism. Absolutely gorgeous. California chamber pop.
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NickKOct 24, 2004I didn't think it was a good idea that Brain was re-recording SMiLE from scratch. However, he proved me wrong-- this is a masterful psychedelic pop opera, and I enjoy it much more than the bits and scraps we've been listening to for the last decade through bootlegs and official Beach Boy releases.
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RichHOct 22, 2004Greater than the sum of it's parts this record satisfies. There are moments when the music felt so right that tears welled up and I got a lump in my throat. Only the very best can do this to me.
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GeraldKOct 22, 2004
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bingobongoOct 20, 2004Good, but not-so-good. Sgt. Pepper is far better, and I understand why Brian Wilson, obsessed by Beatles, destroyed this album. He wanted realize something better, but he couldn't. Pet Sounds remains his best.
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JamesDOct 15, 2004best cd i ever owned
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ErikNOct 15, 2004It's getting better and better each time I listen to it.
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Awards & Rankings
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Smile is quite simply the greatest triumph in the history of pop music.
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Smile's post-adolescent utopia isn't disfigured by Brian's thickened, soured 62-year-old voice. It's ennobled--the material limitations of its sunny artifice and pretentious tomfoolery acknowledged and joyfully engaged.
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Los Angeles Times"Smile" emerges as a beautiful and cohesive work, at times deeply moving, at others oddly whimsical, at still others eerily disturbing but celebratory. [27 Sep 2004]