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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KimMMay 2, 2009Simply superb.
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ToddSMay 9, 2009Absolute perfection!
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SethG.Jul 13, 2009I've listened to this album so much. At least once a week, sometimes much more. It's so good!
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TiagoA.Sep 18, 2009A great album, this have soul and it's brilliant.
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AdamSSep 8, 2009Sounds like a good album, but 97! I think this score may have been boosted by critics nostalgia trips.
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DriJan 15, 2010Classic album of a genius.
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RobertB.Jan 8, 2010I love this album. He makes it all seem so easy. Don't think I have ever listened to a pop record that is this far ahead of the game.
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ChrisHNov 1, 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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stevebNov 18, 2004
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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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DavidROct 12, 2004First listen, I liked it but thought it was a bit odd. Then pieces began to surface in my memory. After a few more listens, I convinced it's one of the most original, wonderful, pieces I've ever heard. I love it.
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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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DevinBOct 13, 2004
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JoeMOct 14, 2004I am biased and a huge Brian Wilson fan and I admit that, but SMiLE, 38 years late is still a triumph. Believe it or not, it is even better and more powerful performed live. I love this music!
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RyanM.Oct 2, 2004It's good. But, seemingly, people seem to think after keeping a good record on the shelf for 37 years it becomes great. This may be true for wine, but not for "Smile". Though this is a solid album, and better than most crap that's out today, it's not great...then, or now.
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FrankAOct 2, 2004SMiLE's time is NOW!
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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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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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CaptainStubingDec 2, 2004
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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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ealonrrigbyDec 5, 2004excellnt
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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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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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m.toupsOct 3, 2004Mama mia that's a spicy meatball!
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DavidLOct 4, 2004Smiles and a few tears for what this great artist has accomplished in his lifetime and the joy in music that he has brought all of us who never quit listening.
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RyanKOct 5, 2004This album is a blast of 1960's psychadelia that is sure to inspire many strange trips... It's beautiful and innocent... why don't people make music like this anymore?
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KrisOct 7, 2004best album of the year no doubt, you´ll have alot of fun if you get this one
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markfOct 7, 2004
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ebokwSep 28, 2004if this came out in when planned it would be considered one of the 10 best albums ever made.
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ThomasZSep 29, 2004Finally!
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PaulLSep 29, 2004
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kevinfSep 30, 2004Shocking Creative Accomplishment! Brian and Van-Dyke's electric ambition from back in the day is back to blow you away! Pure bliss from THE Genius!
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TabPSep 30, 2004I am still stunned. It is so much better than I expected. Absolute perfection.
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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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GeorgeDJan 15, 2005Sensational from start to finish.
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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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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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PaulJJan 26, 2005Wonderful, at last an L.P (!) to listen too
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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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DougPJan 4, 2005Nobody's perfect; but this is as close as it gets.
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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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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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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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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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SamKMay 12, 2005
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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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KevMay 29, 2005Best album ever recorded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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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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GregBJun 24, 2005
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GaryAJun 6, 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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JordanSAug 12, 2005
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JamesSaysThisAug 16, 2005
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salomeySep 2, 2005
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Mr.XOct 17, 2006So Andy McD must think the crap that those retard rappers and pop artists put out is music. Today's music is such a de-evolution when it comes to musical progress that it makes me sick! It is a good thing I have Brian Wilson's Smile as my medicine. What an excellent album! Great musical and vocal arrangements.If you want to hear real music purchase this album.
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LeoSJan 2, 2006Simply the greatest album ever released
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RichardKDec 15, 2006This album is good, but how it got its ranking I'll never understand. I'm obviously missing something. On the other hand, why do some people give 1's and 2's? Is it just to offset the misplaced 10's? Metacritic's ratings always tend to the extreme.
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mikeJan 23, 2006brian wilson is god
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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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matthewkJan 7, 2006The greatest music i have ever heard !
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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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DavidCJun 1, 2006
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MikeLoveJul 18, 2006
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DaleBSep 23, 2006When you listen to the arrangments, not just the music, but the vocal arrangments, this album towers above any other piece of pop music I have heard. You really need to watch the DVD concert video to take in all that is going on with this musical materpiece. SMiLE is brilliant! And to think Brian and Van Dyke did this at age 23? Mindboggeling!
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RobertASep 24, 2006So good!
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stephjJan 19, 2007music does not get better than this. kudos to Brian Wilson. If only there was music of this caliber today.
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SanderVMar 17, 2007Altough the original tapes sound warmer, the real winning point for this version is its cohesiveness. I never thought it could be pulled of, but it works and it's brilliant. It's a trip, from beginning to end.
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chirsMay 25, 2007are you people insane? this album is amazing. it's wonderfully weird and genius.
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DaveMJul 12, 2007BRILLIANT!!!!! It took me back twenty years, then forward the same. A true work of art. It definitely left me with "Good Vibrations".
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PeterDJul 21, 2007An American classic. Like psychedelic Gershwin.
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SophieJul 31, 2007A really wonderful album, with some very slight faults. If only we had the original with us.
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PlatoSDec 23, 2008
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YaronS.Oct 6, 2008
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ThomH.Apr 26, 2008This is the single most important work of musical art that has ever been produced. Thank you Brian Wilson.
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MikeL.May 31, 2008Godhead!
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JonathanF.Jun 18, 2008Such a beautiful wondrous album so different to pet sounds yet strangely familiar and instant classic in 2004 although i fear it may be released for many year people giving it 0 out of ten im sure would not have if this was released in 1967 and i wish it was as i think pop music today would be a little (if not alot) different.
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JonathanW.Sep 19, 2008No originality? Maybe I'll post more later, but for now I'll just listen to "Surf's Up" one more time, i.e. my favorite song.
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PhilipD.Sep 22, 2008
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MikeA.Nov 20, 2009A true masterpiece of sound and emotion. It was well worth the wait!
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JamesH.Nov 7, 2009This is probably my favorite album to turn to at any time. I just love the songs and how they roll from one to the next. I can just hit play on the iPod and have an hour of total indulgence.
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BillWDec 31, 2009I think it's the album of the decade. I love it more as the years roll on. I listen to it more now than ever. When I hear people dis it I get confused, how can this music not move you? THis is not even "my kind of music" yet when it's on I am in a semi-meditative state and it's one of the few peices of music that can stop my in my tracks.
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DavidH.Jul 27, 2009A perfect composition.
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ShivaM.Aug 25, 2009Well worth the wait. It is definitely one of the best albums of the decade. Anyone not affected by this piece of art is probably just a 20 year old idiot with no taste at all.
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GlynnM.Jan 18, 2010Reignited my faith in music and rediscovery of the Beach Boys.
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JohnYJan 19, 2010
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KamilKFeb 23, 2010"SMiLE" is the best album of 00`s & One of the greatest off all time. Definitely.
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DrakeTOct 11, 2004This CD is more and less than could be hoped for. Brian's angelic voice from the 66/67 Smile sessions is absent, but his voice still sounds great, despite the diminished range. This version puts the Smile pieces in order and makes sense of everything that's circulated before. It's extraordinarily creative music that should elicit a Smile.
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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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MattPOct 14, 2004A brilliant masterpiece that lives up to all the hype. Best album of the year and the decade. Don't listen to the naysayers.
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ErikNOct 15, 2004It's getting better and better each time I listen to it.
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JamesDOct 15, 2004best cd i ever owned
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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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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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ealonorrigbyDec 14, 2004mack G poves he is a musical neanderthal, he/she most probably finds chopin,bach, mozart boring.....peasant
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ShaneWDec 16, 2004I never heard anything like it before. Brilliant.
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AndrewMDec 20, 2004
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StevenLDec 22, 2004best cd ever.
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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]