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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AnthonyLMar 26, 2010Best album ever.
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WJFlywheelSep 30, 2004Good stuff for the Mike Love Fanclub.
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MarycOct 1, 2004I never heard anything like this before.
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ShaneSep 28, 2004
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MikeASep 28, 2004A Masterpiece
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RayGSep 30, 2004
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dfSep 30, 2004STUNNING
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MattWSep 30, 2004This is one of the best records I've ever heard. Seriously.
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StephenMOct 1, 2004Worth the wait.
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JonathanSOct 1, 2004Unbelievable... gets better w/ each listening!
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KentSSep 29, 2004It's great to hear the full thing after tasting only bits for ages. It's really fun,thanks Brian
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NikeshGSep 30, 2004Truly Ace
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TheFirstOneToCommentSep 28, 2004If this album were released by the Beach Boys in 1967, it would likely rank as my favorite album ever. In 2004 the songs are just as brilliant, but you miss the vocals of a sixties-era Brian (as well as Carl). This is still the greatest thing I've heard all year. One of the greatest things I've ever heard, in fact.
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DanielPSep 28, 2004A mind blowing experience. Well worth the wait. Album of the year so far by a mile.
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FeidoVApr 12, 2010A great album.
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BrianEMar 26, 2010Perfection in Sound
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Oct 2, 2011
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DavidPOct 7, 2004
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williamfOct 7, 2004never was that much of a brain wilson fan, but wow!!!!! this is a classic
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JimDOct 8, 2004An amazing aural experience. Totally unlike anything else by the Beach Boys in many ways, but the harmonies take you back.
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JEOct 9, 2004i love it. it's a great album. i think everyone who is digging it is suffering from a little bit of nostalgia, but that's only natural..
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JohnSJan 10, 2005
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AlexanderB.Aug 6, 2007For me Smile is the greatest album of all times! Period.
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HankBMar 2, 2010More of a triumph than anyone could have expected. Still, it's a bit tragic that the world didn't get to hear this finished piece in '67 with the original Beach Boys.
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VinceH.Oct 1, 2004
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JensKOct 1, 2004Forget about 1967, this is a great, great, great record today!
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LarryJOct 6, 2004It just keeps getting better with each time I listen to it. I especially love the middle suite of "Childhood" songs -- "Wonderful." If the original BB had been involved in this production, particularly the late-Carl Wilson, it would have rated off the chart. The album and Brian's backstory, in my opinion, serve to reinforce the overall theme of these tracks. I'm happy Brian can SMiLE.
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MichaelCSep 30, 2004The Only thing wrong with this album is Brian's voice, if he had that classic falsetto, it would be perfection. But I'd only drop the album 0.1 of a point for that, so I'd give the album 10 out of 10. L&M
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JindrichHJan 15, 2005Beautiful....
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ArielNJan 18, 2005Smile Brian, You Did It Again.
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MurielB.Jan 20, 2005Look ! Listen ! Vibrate ! Smile !
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jimsJan 2, 2005Pop symphony, have never heard anything like it
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joejJan 4, 2005Brilliant!
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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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bobbycJan 7, 2005
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stevepApr 12, 2005A true Classic ! ! !
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ErickC.Jun 27, 2005
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DriRSep 7, 2005Wonderful! Brilliant!
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AndrewFOct 3, 2006One of the top 5 albums of all time. His voice is a little different, but certainly not bad, and the backing band is better musically than the beach boys. The only thing it is missing, is Carl, Mikes, Brian (in his 20s) voices. Only albums ahead of it are Pet Sounds, Revolver, Highway 61, and Sgt. Peppers.
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RaleighRJun 28, 2006
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BenSep 17, 2006It would have been a disapintment if released earlier... simply not comparable with pet sounds or any beatles records
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RogFeb 12, 2007Outstanding music - for any era.
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DarylSMar 10, 2007
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TedGMay 21, 2007What's so impressive about this album is how ahead of it's time it is today, 40 years since it's conception. The Polarized reviews speak to this. The album beautifully details American mass culture, with both ideas deep and adult, as well as childlike and innocent.
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RoccoSJun 12, 2007
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ScottW.Aug 20, 2007Now here as an album that should put a smile on your face. Not just because of its fun and catchy songs, but because your hearing what would have been classic Beach Boy tunes. This was a lost album for almost forty years, from one of the best rock bands. Brian Wilson gives us a true classic and a must have.
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TerryApr 8, 2008A masterpiece. Good for you, Brian.
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patf.Jan 30, 2009Best thing i have heard in years! surfs up, h&v, cabinessence the list of great songs is very impressive.
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LuisIFeb 10, 2010Pop orchestra, brilliant sound, brian wilson and a legendary record.
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ChrisLFeb 9, 2010Pristine.
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JackBOct 1, 2004
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StevieOct 1, 2004
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GaryEOct 14, 2004Now we can see how expendable the rest of the Beach Boys really were. Brian was obviously the brains of the outfit.
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AaronS.Oct 15, 2004Better late than never. This beautiful musical curiosity sounds like nothing else, totally unclassifiable. It sounds as out of place today as it would have back in 1967! Highly recommended to those with adventurous tastes.
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StillaKidAtheartOct 15, 2004Simply a Masterpiece! I first heard Sgt. Pepper's at the age of 14, and I have the same kind of feeling listening to Smile today...I can't stop listening to it...Thank you, Brian...You reached me.
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TazmanianDevilOct 2, 2004Can't stop listening... enjoy every moment of this CD
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alcOct 2, 2004love this album the most!!
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GeraldKOct 22, 2004
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midnightdreadDec 2, 2004
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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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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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RICHARDBOct 2, 2004Not much to say, except "blown away!" This goes into my top 5 of all time. The tracks released on the Good Vibrations box set really wetted my appetite, and now the complete album...it's....it's...words don't do justice.
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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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JMOct 3, 2004Who would have thought it could turn out this good almost 40 yrs later? I can't stop listening to it!!!
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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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BrianFOct 4, 2004The second "suite" is worth the purchase price alone...brilliantly beautiful! Deduct 1 point for the odd animal and power tool songs - give me more music!
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RobbieWOct 4, 2004I always thought "Pet Sounds" was the best LP Brian Wilson would ever make. Now I have to say that "Smile" is even better. Even though I had high expectations, this CD has exceeded them. A++++
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ChristopherFOct 4, 2004A wonderful concept album fully realized. Comparisons to Sgt. Peppers are not inaccurate because Sgt Pepper isn't a concept album: it has no central theme. Brian Wilson is a phoenix rising form the ashes, again.
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EoinOct 5, 2004A good album, but the songs are not as strong as on Pet Sounds. But as concept albums go it's quite good.
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paulaOct 7, 2004the best 45 minutes of popular music i've ever heard.
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NickJSep 30, 2004Prepare yourself for something new at every listen. A superb mix of feelgood pop, art opus and grand slam genius eccentricity. However in terms of mood, for 'eccentricity' replace this word with 'electricity' as far as this bands performance goes.
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DennisSSep 30, 2004Words could not describe the first time I heard it!! It is by far the best rock concept album of all time!!! A true Brian Wilson Masterpiece!!!!!
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DamonFSep 30, 2004When I heard this album after hearing the reviews, I am convinced that it has already obliterated every album made this year, out of the sky. This includes the new Morrissey album. This is how a decent album should be made by an artist. Sung brilliantly and layered and arranged without the use of meaningless computer technology
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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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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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PeterBJan 19, 2005Astounding!
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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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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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JRJan 6, 2005
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DaveDJan 7, 2005Best album since Brainwashed. That's along 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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JürgenRMar 4, 2005The best album of all time!!!
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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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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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TristramCSep 6, 2005
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ChrisBOct 30, 2006The most artistic album of all time. This proves that Brian does not need those coat-tail riding, freeloading Beach Boys. Here is a group of dedicated musicians doing justice to some of the most original American music since Copeland. God Save Brian Wilson!
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SeamusSMar 30, 2006
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cliftonbApr 3, 2006
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MeatMuffinJun 10, 2006The people who are giving this album a 10 seem to be generally smarter than the ones who are giving it lower scores. Just read the reviews below this one.
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lonnieMOct 10, 2007Smile..... A masterpiece in many ways.... to many ways to put into words.... Listen to the album alone, without distraction, and any negative thoughts of the record will disappear..... I'm just glad I had the experience of Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks seeing this vision through. The record is and always will be ahead of it's time.
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KitSJan 5, 2007
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KjellBNov 13, 2008
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dhFeb 20, 2008Perfect. Only comparable to the Lonely Hearts Club Band.
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nickm.Feb 8, 2008This isn't the highest rated album on metacritic. The highest rated is London Calling by The Clash, which scored a 100. My score is just the avg, this isn't my actual score.
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MartinPApr 25, 2008I haven't listened to this album but i find the fact that some people are rating it 10 to counter the people who rate it 0 which are countering the general reviewers.
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SameerV.May 7, 2008This is one of the greatest albums. I think it's up there with pepper. Sure, it probably would sound better if all the beach boys were on it and this was 66', but it's still great. It takes a couple of listens. Keep in mind, most of this was written in 66'. If it came out then, I think people would have appreciated it more.
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AndyD.Jun 8, 2008Truly stunning music. Love it!
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SteveSep 23, 2008
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ConradC.Dec 16, 2009Worth every minute of the wait!
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peterJan 6, 2009Beautiful and haunting. I cant imagine how anyone could walk away from this unchanged.
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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]