SMiLE
by Brian Wilson
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Sep 28, 2004
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 522 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 398 out of 522
  2. Mixed: 39 out of 522
  3. Negative: 85 out of 522

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  1. StephenB
    Dec 28, 2004
    10
    Quite simply, the greatest Pop/Rock album of all time. Nothing else even comes close!
  2. tommyg
    Oct 27, 2004
    9
    Beautiful. 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.
  3. SeanJ
    Sep 28, 2004
    9
    No doubt, it's extremely good. However, after all the years of hype, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed? All this fuss for this?! It doesn't come anywhere near Pet Sounds in terms of sheer genius. It's certainly one of the best albums of the year, but the Arcade Fire's "Funeral" is miles beyond this.
  4. MikeC
    Sep 29, 2004
    10
    Glorious sonic fireworks. Amazing!
  5. wart
    Sep 29, 2004
    10
    I can't stop listening to it.
  6. davek
    Nov 16, 2005
    9
    I have been waiting for this along time ..I just wish it was done by the beach boys of the 60's
  7. JMoskal
    Nov 25, 2005
    10
    Couldn't have been better
  8. KentG
    Jan 14, 2005
    10
    "Wunderful" to see that Brian is finally ok with his "Hero's and Villians". Beautiful music & Beautiful lyrics on an album flows better that Abby Road. The fact that Brian is 62 add's to the album making it sound like wisdom imparted and reflective. It's poetic justic that Brian would finish this grat album as a single being that he was the only Beach Boy who believed in "Wunderful" to see that Brian is finally ok with his "Hero's and Villians". Beautiful music & Beautiful lyrics on an album flows better that Abby Road. The fact that Brian is 62 add's to the album making it sound like wisdom imparted and reflective. It's poetic justic that Brian would finish this grat album as a single being that he was the only Beach Boy who believed in it. Thanks also go to the Wundermints who turned in an outstanding performance.… Expand
  9. SteveH
    Jan 14, 2005
    10
    Brilliant! Worth the wait
  10. PaulA
    Jan 16, 2005
    10
    Perfection
  11. RyanB
    Jan 21, 2005
    10
    Incredible, soak it in.
  12. GeorgeK
    Jan 21, 2005
    10
    The most unique record that I have ever listened to
  13. FernandoM
    Jan 27, 2005
    10
    This album is amazing, makes me give a smile every time that I put om my cd player. Strongly recomended
  14. EdwardB
    Jan 27, 2005
    10
    Puts 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.
  15. SharonD
    Feb 13, 2005
    10
    Excellent. One of the greatest albums ever made. A true masterpiece.
  16. ScottH
    Apr 26, 2005
    10
    The long awaited masterpiece proves that Brian Wilson is indeed a musical genius, comparable to nobody, INCLUDING The Beatles. In fact, Wilson is the only composer who matched the Beatles note for note, song for song in creative experiments and astonishing studio works. "Smile" and its predecessor, "Pet Sounds", must be in the same hallowed territory as "Revolver", and either easily The long awaited masterpiece proves that Brian Wilson is indeed a musical genius, comparable to nobody, INCLUDING The Beatles. In fact, Wilson is the only composer who matched the Beatles note for note, song for song in creative experiments and astonishing studio works. "Smile" and its predecessor, "Pet Sounds", must be in the same hallowed territory as "Revolver", and either easily outdoes "Sgt. Pepper." Only "Abbey Road" was a contender. Comparisons aside, it's a stunning CD that may only be surpassed if Wilson one day decides to release the original album with the Beach Boys, which would be truly a miracle.… Expand
  17. JustinK
    Apr 29, 2005
    10
    If you don't like this, you don't like music!
  18. CarlosB
    May 18, 2005
    10
    ROCK 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.
  19. JackH
    Oct 23, 2006
    10
    Simply the best album since Abbey Road.
  20. PaulW
    May 19, 2006
    10
    With Pet Sounds, I think Brian Wilson already established that he is one of the very top musical minds who ever walked this earth- I mean, listen to 'Don't talk (put your head on my shoulder' and 'Let's go away for a while'- it's way above Lennon and McCartney. 'Smile' is too good for this world, its ideas and execution so quirky and With Pet Sounds, I think Brian Wilson already established that he is one of the very top musical minds who ever walked this earth- I mean, listen to 'Don't talk (put your head on my shoulder' and 'Let's go away for a while'- it's way above Lennon and McCartney. 'Smile' is too good for this world, its ideas and execution so quirky and accomplished (the old West, a Victorian childhood, the earth, fire, water elements) that it will probably always be a 'cult' rather than popular classic. Make no mistake, think of the most famous composers you can think of in history and Brian Wilson's musical mind will be sharper. It's an insult to him to compare his compostional and production genius with The Beatles.… Expand
  21. IainS
    Jun 23, 2006
    10
    Saw this track by track in 2004, had the experience of Pet Sounds before that TWICE; Brian Wilson is THE living pop genius. If you can't appreciate the genius of Pet Sounds, Smile or Brian Wilson then there really is no hope for you :)
  22. JohnL
    Aug 19, 2006
    10
    It took me forever to finally get around to this, and I am absolutely blown away. It is BETTER than the raves. I honestly didn't know what to expect, with all the super hype, and I am just amazed. The last original thing he did that I loved was the self titled 1988 album. It would've been a wonder in 1967 to be certain, but I honestly can't imagine a better version than It took me forever to finally get around to this, and I am absolutely blown away. It is BETTER than the raves. I honestly didn't know what to expect, with all the super hype, and I am just amazed. The last original thing he did that I loved was the self titled 1988 album. It would've been a wonder in 1967 to be certain, but I honestly can't imagine a better version than this one. What a great ending to a great story !!!… Expand
  23. danh
    Jan 11, 2007
    10
    This album is better than pet sounds. It is amazing but would have been better if the other living beach boys were on it.
  24. MichaelT.
    Nov 3, 2007
    10
    This album more than lives up to its own hype. The only slight dissapointment is I don't think the vocal harmonies are as good as the original Beach Boys whould of been but I think his new group do a stella job anyway.
  25. AbrahamR.
    Nov 8, 2007
    9
    It's really a hard to listen album, although it is not so good compared with some albums from the 60's, it's still very good, if someone doesn't like it maybe you should listen to it more times, or maybe just listen to more music, maybe the problem is that you haven't learned how to appreciate it, I had to listen to it 14 times before understanding completely what It's really a hard to listen album, although it is not so good compared with some albums from the 60's, it's still very good, if someone doesn't like it maybe you should listen to it more times, or maybe just listen to more music, maybe the problem is that you haven't learned how to appreciate it, I had to listen to it 14 times before understanding completely what was so wonderful about this album.… Expand
  26. Rick
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    After reading the majority of comments, I have come to this conclusion. The negative reviews are from young dead-eared rap-damaged musically retarded people who wouldnt recognize a good melody if it bit them and collegiate musical zipperheads w/ their heads so far up there own butts they judge music by how complex it may look on a score instead of by their ears,heart and soul! So sad for After reading the majority of comments, I have come to this conclusion. The negative reviews are from young dead-eared rap-damaged musically retarded people who wouldnt recognize a good melody if it bit them and collegiate musical zipperheads w/ their heads so far up there own butts they judge music by how complex it may look on a score instead of by their ears,heart and soul! So sad for you and the future of music and humanity. If you love melody,harmony and muisc as an artform this album is for you! Ignore these sad sad people and SMiLE instead.… Expand
  27. EliE
    May 29, 2007
    10
    Any flaws you could point out in Brian's vocals compared to the original tapes are drastically outweighed by the faithful attempt at reconstructing this greatest of lost pop albums.
  28. EvanW
    Jun 16, 2007
    8
    This album was truly one of the most unique listening experiences I've ever had. I'll admit to not exactly "understanding" everything I heard, but that's a good thing. Although I can recognize that a lot of critics writing up this album may be writing a lot out of nostalgia, the musical merits hold true. I think a lot of what people are missing in this album is its This album was truly one of the most unique listening experiences I've ever had. I'll admit to not exactly "understanding" everything I heard, but that's a good thing. Although I can recognize that a lot of critics writing up this album may be writing a lot out of nostalgia, the musical merits hold true. I think a lot of what people are missing in this album is its intention. It's supposed to be silly! The title is "Smile" for a reason. Perhaps some are a bit too jaded to appreciate this.… Expand
  29. kevink
    Jun 22, 2007
    10
    all of to say is pretty much what the last three people have said except the exact opposite. in the world of pop music brian wilson is god SMiLE is the bible
  30. liors
    Jul 13, 2007
    10
    it's really wonderful , buy this album if you have listened to "pet sounds" before, buy this album if you are willing to give "smile" a chance to be finished and not stay an inflated myth. do not buy this album only because it got a good rating on metacritic , music is a matter of taste not grades.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2004
3
#3 Most Discussed Album of 2004
15
#15 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
97

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    100
    Smile is quite simply the greatest triumph in the history of pop music.
    Read full review
  2. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    100
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    100
    "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]
See all critic reviews »