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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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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KrisOct 7, 2004best album of the year no doubt, you´ll have alot of fun if you get this one
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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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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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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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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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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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PeterDJul 21, 2007An American classic. Like psychedelic Gershwin.
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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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KamilKFeb 23, 2010"SMiLE" is the best album of 00`s & One of the greatest off all time. Definitely.
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BrianEMar 26, 2010Perfection in Sound
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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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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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JamesDOct 15, 2004best cd i ever owned
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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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StevenLDec 22, 2004best cd ever.
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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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DanielPSep 28, 2004A mind blowing experience. Well worth the wait. Album of the year so far by a mile.
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MikeCSep 29, 2004Glorious sonic fireworks. Amazing!
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wartSep 29, 2004I can't stop listening to it.
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JMoskalNov 25, 2005Couldn't have been better
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KentGJan 14, 2005
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SteveHJan 14, 2005Brilliant! Worth the wait
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PaulAJan 16, 2005Perfection
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RyanBJan 21, 2005Incredible, soak it in.
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GeorgeKJan 21, 2005The most unique record that I have ever listened to
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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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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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SharonDFeb 13, 2005Excellent. One of the greatest albums ever made. A true masterpiece.
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ScottHApr 26, 2005
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JustinKApr 29, 2005If you don't like this, you don't like music!
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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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JackHOct 23, 2006Simply the best album since Abbey Road.
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PaulWMay 19, 2006
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IainSJun 23, 2006Saw 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 :)
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JohnLAug 19, 2006
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danhJan 11, 2007This album is better than pet sounds. It is amazing but would have been better if the other living beach boys were on it.
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MichaelT.Nov 3, 2007This 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.
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RickFeb 19, 2007
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EliEMay 29, 2007Any 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.
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kevinkJun 22, 2007all 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
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liorsJul 13, 2007it'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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JoséLuisSJul 28, 2007The best of the best... Brian Wilson is a true genius!!!
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LeeC.Sep 23, 2007i think, this is better than 'pet sounds'.
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CarlPNov 7, 2008
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AlexTFeb 12, 2008
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TimothyM.May 28, 2008The best American album ever.
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ChrisSJan 12, 2009
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JoeS.Jul 18, 2009'Tis very good, yeah!
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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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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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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]