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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ScottYJul 9, 2005I don't get the high ratings this one receives. The music just seems like a slightly updated version of the stuff the Beach Boys were doing in the 1960s. What's so great about this album these days?
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ElMoAug 1, 2005
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WilliamTSep 23, 2005first they told me Revenge Of The Sith had redeemed George Lucas. Heck many critics said it was even better than Star Wars. Then I hear Smile scores 97 on the metatcritic score so I goes out and buy it. "It's impossible for words to describe what is necesassary, for those who do not know what... horror...means"
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TristramCSep 6, 2005
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AHNov 20, 2006Credit must be given to the level of creativity and variety on this album. In saying that however, variety without purpose and cohesion can be a bad thing and this album, after about Track 11, becomes really tiresome. Track 12 Vega-tables is just a montage of goofy sounds and nonsense.
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DanSJan 12, 2006Holy shit this album sucks. Its the #1 album on metacritic of all time? Ive lost all faith in critics and user ratings for life, with the exception of the few of you who trashed this piece, youve all lost your minds, much like Wilson. If you bought this album i feel sorry for you.
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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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DrewMMar 18, 2006Oh my God. This album is absolutely fucking horrible. Anybody who rated it high needs a good smack. Really. Get a life, people.
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SeamusSMar 30, 2006
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[Anonymous]Mar 6, 2006pretty poor stuff if we're honest with ourselves
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cliftonbApr 3, 2006
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NathanGMay 6, 2006The Emporer Has No Clothes
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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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EricYJun 17, 2006why critics always against the good musics, this is the E era, young peoples are the main consumer of the music industry!!
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JasonFJan 10, 2007Complicated? Yes. Good? Helllll no. One of the worst albums I've ever heard. I really wanted to like it too.
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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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BrendanDFeb 19, 2007
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davebJul 21, 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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ClifC.Jun 22, 2008
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AndyD.Jun 8, 2008Truly stunning music. Love it!
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ButchAutomaticAug 11, 2008Ouch! Brian, like Paul McCartney, should relaize when it is time to sit back and enjoy their spoils. Guys - you did well - it's time to stop before you implode and totally ruin what could be fond memories for us. LEARN A NEW HOBBY!
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kaylixAug 9, 2008What is going on here? This wasn't as great as the reviewers claim. I could barely listen to the whole album. Based on the reviews I kept hoping there was something better in the next track. I gave up and deleted it from my music library.
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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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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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AnthonyLMar 26, 2010Best album ever.
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StephenMOct 1, 2004Worth the wait.
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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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JonathanSOct 1, 2004Unbelievable... gets better w/ each listening!
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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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chipdIIIOct 13, 2004Why did it take 37 years before it came out Brian? "Because it's mostly utter cock and it took me to completely lose my mind before I gave in to my money loving bastard label. ha ha ha wibble." This should have a really remained a myth.
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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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DavidDec 16, 2004No No No No!
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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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evansDec 23, 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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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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BruceOct 27, 2004You can take a pile of horse manure, mould it into the shape of the Statue of David and people will call it art, simply because that's what they are supposed to say. Of course in reality, it's really just a pile of shit. I'm sure Brian Wilson is "smiling" all the way to the bank !
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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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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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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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NikeshGSep 30, 2004Truly Ace
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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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MikeONov 6, 2005Surf's Up and Good Vibrations are superb, but we already knew that. The versions on Smile are inferior to the Beach Boys. Heroes & Villains is good, the rest is average to weak. What was all the fuss about? This is really the most over-hyped album of all time, yet it is still rates a 6/10 due to the 3 tracks mentioned above.
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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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mattfOct 27, 2005I just don't get it and I've listened to the album many times. Best album of 2004. No way!
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KeithOct 28, 2005Utter sonic drivel, bought this for a friend, feelin' a tad guilty....must think i hate em.
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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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reynOct 3, 2005Worst CD. Ever.
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DougPJan 4, 2005Nobody's perfect; but this is as close as it gets.
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Rev.RikardOct 5, 2005I tried! I really did! This may be the most overrated album ever. No song touched or moved me; and it has become one of the few albums in my collections that is probably permanently shelved. Sorry Brian, but the years of sabbatical did little to make this work inspiring.
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ACriticOct 6, 2005I enjoyed the CD. Some of it. The songs were very unique and experimental, and had very different affects to them. "Our Prayer" was harmonic and bright, "You are my Sunshine" has a very dark sound to it. "Roll Plymouth Rock" was beautiful. Although, some of the tracks (Barnyard, Mrs. O'Leary's Cow), were a miss for me. A real mix I would recommend for anyone to listen to.
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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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AgatheMMar 19, 2005It's OK, but what's the big deal?
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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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DaveApr 12, 2005
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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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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]