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. StillaKidAtheart
    Oct 15, 2004
    10
    Simply 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.
  2. AaronS.
    Oct 15, 2004
    10
    Better 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.
  3. GaryE
    Oct 14, 2004
    10
    Now we can see how expendable the rest of the Beach Boys really were. Brian was obviously the brains of the outfit.
  4. MattP
    Oct 14, 2004
    10
    A brilliant masterpiece that lives up to all the hype. Best album of the year and the decade. Don't listen to the naysayers.
  5. JoeM
    Oct 14, 2004
    10
    I 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!
  6. DevinB
    Oct 13, 2004
    10
    Brilliant and heartbreaking, the work of a true virtuoso. Besides being immensely catchy and infectious in its moods, the three-suite style of circular song-structure makes this Brian's strongest album, surpassing the genius even of Pet Sounds. Sure, the highlights on Pet Sounds are insurmountable and make for unfair comparison. Smile, however, in its ambitious scope and flawless Brilliant and heartbreaking, the work of a true virtuoso. Besides being immensely catchy and infectious in its moods, the three-suite style of circular song-structure makes this Brian's strongest album, surpassing the genius even of Pet Sounds. Sure, the highlights on Pet Sounds are insurmountable and make for unfair comparison. Smile, however, in its ambitious scope and flawless execution demands canonization as well.… Expand
  7. DavidR
    Oct 12, 2004
    10
    First 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.
  8. DrakeT
    Oct 11, 2004
    10
    This 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.
  9. JE
    Oct 9, 2004
    10
    i 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..
  10. JimD
    Oct 8, 2004
    10
    An amazing aural experience. Totally unlike anything else by the Beach Boys in many ways, but the harmonies take you back.
  11. markf
    Oct 7, 2004
    9
    "Good Vibrations" was one of the first 45s I ever bought, and I still probably think that song is the best Beach Boys song, at least the old single. This album's version isn't quite as good, but the entire album, while not exactly flawless, is a beautiful flow of music with many repeating motifs from "Heroes and Villians", "Surf's Up" and "Good Vibrations" sprawled across "Good Vibrations" was one of the first 45s I ever bought, and I still probably think that song is the best Beach Boys song, at least the old single. This album's version isn't quite as good, but the entire album, while not exactly flawless, is a beautiful flow of music with many repeating motifs from "Heroes and Villians", "Surf's Up" and "Good Vibrations" sprawled across the three suites. Sometimes, the simplest parts are the best; for example, the Aaron Coplandish cello (with drums) melting into the haunting voice singing "You Are My Sunshine" brings shivers, and then the sax dissolves into a whirling string section (actually reminds me of the Beatles circa '67.) The opening "Prayer" is more beautiful than anything on Bjork's most-recent, although I think it's a good companion piece to her "Vokuro." Overall, this is a tremendous, awe-inspiring piece of art, which also enjoys being funny and silly. But I am sad that the Beach Boys aren't actually a part of it. (Carl and Dennis R.I.P.)… Expand
  12. Kris
    Oct 7, 2004
    10
    best album of the year no doubt, you´ll have alot of fun if you get this one
  13. paula
    Oct 7, 2004
    10
    the best 45 minutes of popular music i've ever heard.
  14. williamf
    Oct 7, 2004
    10
    never was that much of a brain wilson fan, but wow!!!!! this is a classic
  15. DavidP
    Oct 7, 2004
    10
    As an old Beach Boys fan who grew up in the 60's, SMiLE provides an unexpected closure to a part of my psyche. It's like John was not shot, George is still alive, and the Beatles got back together in the 80's and put out another masterpiece. Of course, that fantasy will always leave a hole in my heart but, now, at least, one of the holes in my heart has been filled with joy As an old Beach Boys fan who grew up in the 60's, SMiLE provides an unexpected closure to a part of my psyche. It's like John was not shot, George is still alive, and the Beatles got back together in the 80's and put out another masterpiece. Of course, that fantasy will always leave a hole in my heart but, now, at least, one of the holes in my heart has been filled with joy and a SMiLE. Thank you Brian.… Expand
  16. LarryJ
    Oct 6, 2004
    10
    It 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.
  17. RyanK
    Oct 5, 2004
    9
    This 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?
  18. Eoin
    Oct 5, 2004
    8
    A good album, but the songs are not as strong as on Pet Sounds. But as concept albums go it's quite good.
  19. DavidL
    Oct 4, 2004
    10
    Smiles 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.
  20. BrianF
    Oct 4, 2004
    9
    The 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!
  21. ChristopherF
    Oct 4, 2004
    10
    A 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.
  22. RobbieW
    Oct 4, 2004
    10
    I 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++++
  23. m.toups
    Oct 3, 2004
    10
    Mama mia that's a spicy meatball!
  24. JM
    Oct 3, 2004
    10
    Who would have thought it could turn out this good almost 40 yrs later? I can't stop listening to it!!!
  25. alc
    Oct 2, 2004
    10
    love this album the most!!
  26. TazmanianDevil
    Oct 2, 2004
    10
    Can't stop listening... enjoy every moment of this CD
  27. FrankA
    Oct 2, 2004
    10
    SMiLE's time is NOW!
  28. RyanM.
    Oct 2, 2004
    8
    It'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.
  29. RICHARDB
    Oct 2, 2004
    10
    Not 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.
  30. JackB
    Oct 1, 2004
    9
    Have to agree that it's brilliant. But we already knew that. My only complaint is that I miss Brian's old vocals. The other boys in the band I can take or leave. But Brian sounds like an old man now. Love this "Heroes" better than any other mix we've heard before. "Surf's Up" loses a step without Brian's original lead. Like the lyrics of the '66 "Good Have to agree that it's brilliant. But we already knew that. My only complaint is that I miss Brian's old vocals. The other boys in the band I can take or leave. But Brian sounds like an old man now. Love this "Heroes" better than any other mix we've heard before. "Surf's Up" loses a step without Brian's original lead. Like the lyrics of the '66 "Good Vibrations" better. … Expand
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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 »