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. JeffF
    Jan 2, 2005
    10
    Imagine 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.
  2. PaulJ
    Jan 26, 2005
    10
    Wonderful, at last an L.P (!) to listen too
  3. TomP
    Jan 3, 2005
    10
    Unique 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.
  4. DougP
    Jan 4, 2005
    10
    Nobody's perfect; but this is as close as it gets.
  5. ACritic
    Oct 6, 2005
    6
    I 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.
  6. Bluebird.
    Feb 11, 2005
    10
    Truly 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.......
  7. AgatheM
    Mar 19, 2005
    5
    It's OK, but what's the big deal?
  8. Marillion
    Mar 22, 2005
    10
    Smile 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!
  9. ryan
    Mar 7, 2005
    10
    I think most americans forgot how good pop music can be Ashlee Simpson should feel ashamed after listening to this CD
  10. MaciejW
    Apr 8, 2005
    9
    Plain 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.
  11. VincentX
    May 11, 2005
    7
    An 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.
  12. SamK
    May 12, 2005
    10
    I first bought this album in Feb '05 and believe it or not, I'm still listening to it almost every day, and it's the middle of May now! You'll either hate it or love it, but if you're open minded at all you'll see that this music is truly unique and YES it's WAAAAY more musically complex than anything the Beatles ever did. However, there aren't I first bought this album in Feb '05 and believe it or not, I'm still listening to it almost every day, and it's the middle of May now! You'll either hate it or love it, but if you're open minded at all you'll see that this music is truly unique and YES it's WAAAAY more musically complex than anything the Beatles ever did. However, there aren't catchy little songs about meter maids, or gettin' better all the time, so had it been released in 1967, I don't think it would have been that popular. This album demands several listens to get all the levels and nuances. It's really amazing that 40 years later, this album doesn't sound dated at all, and holds its own against anything musicians are doing today. Way to go Brian!… Expand
  13. JoeD
    May 24, 2005
    10
    All 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!
  14. Kev
    May 29, 2005
    10
    Best album ever recorded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  15. anthonyr
    Jun 1, 2005
    10
    total 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
  16. GregB
    Jun 24, 2005
    10
    Smile is an American classic. And Brian Wilson is among the greatest songwriters/ composers/ recording artists in American history. Right up there with Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin or Aaron Copeland. Right up there with Duke Ellington or Count Basie. Right up there with any of the greats in American rock. The fact that this album was released in 2004 truely crosses into the realm of Smile is an American classic. And Brian Wilson is among the greatest songwriters/ composers/ recording artists in American history. Right up there with Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin or Aaron Copeland. Right up there with Duke Ellington or Count Basie. Right up there with any of the greats in American rock. The fact that this album was released in 2004 truely crosses into the realm of miracles. Huge kudos to Darian Sahanaja and the Wondermints. Their passion, dedication and patience made this album possible. And Kudos to Brian Wilson for having guts made of steel. In 1967, he took a 900-pound bullet by cancelling "Smile" to keep the Beach Boys together. And in 2004, he finally gave the world this wonderful gift by bulling his way through his darkest demons and fears. While we may never hear what Smile would have been if Brian had been able to finish it in 1966, who cares! Listen to "Wonderful" in 100-200 years and it will still sound fantastic.. Yeah there's some goofy stuff on the album. So what! Dare to be stupid!! Yeah, Good Vibrations has some changes. So what! They probably had to be done for legal reasons.. And if Brian Wilson's music just isn't your thing and/ or you don't see what this big deal is here, check out the Smile DVD. Watch the documentary first, then watch the performance. You will see a remarkable story of human beings' ability to triumph against adversity. And you will see absolute proof that beautiful music has profound powers.… Expand
  17. GaryA
    Jun 6, 2005
    9
    Let me state something right up front, this is a superb piece of American pop music. With that said I am not ready to annoint this as the ultimate masterpiece. I have now listened to SMiLE about 10-12 times. All of us already knew how great "Heroes and Villains" and "Good Vibrations" were. And while there are cuts on this CD that rate among the greatest of all time, "Wonderful" comes to Let me state something right up front, this is a superb piece of American pop music. With that said I am not ready to annoint this as the ultimate masterpiece. I have now listened to SMiLE about 10-12 times. All of us already knew how great "Heroes and Villains" and "Good Vibrations" were. And while there are cuts on this CD that rate among the greatest of all time, "Wonderful" comes to mind, there are parts of this work that almost sound forced to me. Like Brian was being weird just for the sake of being weird with no real meaning to back it up. Granted, those passages are few and far between but they are there none the less. The CD starts off strong with the first 3 tracks, "Our Prayer", "Heroes and Villains", and "Roll Plymouth Rock". Then "Barnyard" appears, and while fun to listen to it seems a bit out of place. This is followed by "Old MasterPainter/You Are My Sunshine", which even though corny Brian makes it work and uses it as the lead in to the interestingly quirky "Cabin Essence". This is followed by the strongest stretch of this CD, the cerebral "Wonderful" that leads smoothly into "Song For Children" and then "Child is Father of the Man". These 3 pieces will mesmorize you. All that is followed by a superbly haunting "Surf's Up", which I still think is one of the greatest songs Brian has composed. That wonderful stretch of music is followed by the portion of the CD that I think sounds too forced. While "I'm in Great Shape/I Wanna be Around/Workshop" and "Vega-Tables" are interesting listens, I question what they add. "On a Holiday" is next which does work quite well and brings to mind Paul McCartney's "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsley" or "Sir Bodsworth Rugglesby III" by the Beatle rip off first album by Klaatu. Next is the pleasant "Wind Chimes" which would have made a terrific lead in to the CD's strong final 2 cuts, "In Blue Hawaii" and of course the classic "Good Vibrations", still one of the greatest pop songs ever written. Instead Brian gives us "Mrs O'Leary's Cow" in front of the final 2 tracks, a song that makes The Beatles "Revolution Number 9" sound like ear candy. I can only assume that this was Brian's answer to the bridge in the Beatles classic "A Day in the Life". But while the Beatles are able to evoke the emotions and mystery of "A Day in the Life" with the orchestral bridge, "Mrs O'Leary's Cow" falls completely flat and is grossly out of place. Does "SMiLE" stand up to "Sgt Pepper's" ? Yes it does, but Pepper gives it a good left hook and still retains the title.… Expand
  18. NicB
    Jul 23, 2005
    9
    I 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!
  19. JordanS
    Aug 12, 2005
    10
    I was confused the first five times I heard this album. But as I started listening to it more and more, I came to realize the wonders of this album. When I first started listening to it, something struck my subconscious as this was the first recording that sounded completely "American." You can't explain it; you need to hear it. Listen to this album a few times; if you don't I was confused the first five times I heard this album. But as I started listening to it more and more, I came to realize the wonders of this album. When I first started listening to it, something struck my subconscious as this was the first recording that sounded completely "American." You can't explain it; you need to hear it. Listen to this album a few times; if you don't like it, it's because something has convinced you that pop music is bad. Give it a chance though. This could very well be the greatest endeavour in popular music. And I'm not exaggerating.… Expand
  20. JamesSaysThis
    Aug 16, 2005
    10
    Everyone who thinks this album is a loss or a blunder is full of beans. I was almost completely in the dark in regards to the SMiLE legend before it came out last year, but have eaten it up whole hog since first popping it in. I'm 22, and it's clear to me that everyone in my age group who doesn't understand what Brian Wilson is not only capable of, but has done (let's Everyone who thinks this album is a loss or a blunder is full of beans. I was almost completely in the dark in regards to the SMiLE legend before it came out last year, but have eaten it up whole hog since first popping it in. I'm 22, and it's clear to me that everyone in my age group who doesn't understand what Brian Wilson is not only capable of, but has done (let's be clear on that), must have shit for brains.… Expand
  21. JohnW
    Aug 3, 2005
    4
    It's ok, but it's a far cry from anything great. It's just an update of the Beach Boys. Nothing new, nothing fresh.
  22. salomey
    Sep 2, 2005
    10
    this is the best album ever released i would spent some time telling the people who gave this one 0 or hardly any points why they are so obviously ruled but i would end up using language that wouldn't be suitable :D + the music speaks for itself it would have been nice had brian been able to release this when his voice was still 100% (though i was pleasantly surprised really) but this is the best album ever released i would spent some time telling the people who gave this one 0 or hardly any points why they are so obviously ruled but i would end up using language that wouldn't be suitable :D + the music speaks for itself it would have been nice had brian been able to release this when his voice was still 100% (though i was pleasantly surprised really) but then again when that's the only possible flaw there's nothing to complain this album is a victory in every way… Expand
  23. Mr.X
    Oct 17, 2006
    10
    So 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.
  24. LeoS
    Jan 2, 2006
    10
    Simply the greatest album ever released
  25. RichardK
    Dec 15, 2006
    7
    This 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.
  26. mike
    Jan 23, 2006
    10
    brian wilson is god
  27. karma
    Jan 6, 2006
    10
    if i had to pick just one album to take with me to a desert island, this would be it.
  28. matthewk
    Jan 7, 2006
    10
    The greatest music i have ever heard !
  29. CKbiggie
    Mar 26, 2006
    4
    wanted to like this, but 4 listens later was trying hard to stay awake. the critical fervor is completely baffling... a very mediocre album.
  30. SmittyP
    Apr 19, 2006
    10
    The 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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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 »