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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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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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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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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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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GaryAJun 6, 2005
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NicBJul 23, 2005I 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!
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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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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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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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LionelRNov 12, 2004I was 15 years old in 1967 and this album is not unlike a magic carpet ride back in time. It is clever, it is amusing but most of all it is deeply disturbing. I have downrated it by 2 points because I sense that it is technically inferior to "what it shud've sounded like" parts of it lack the tight control which is after all the beachboys' trademark
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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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ErikNOct 15, 2004It's getting better and better each time I listen to it.
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JamesDOct 15, 2004best cd i ever owned
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ByronJNov 7, 2004This cd may be the best one i've ever purchased. It's quite rewarding if you look deep beneath the surface, as sometimes with Brian Wilson's music(and a few other artists) so much is going on you can't take it all in, in one go. It will take multiple listens for you to fully grasp the reality of the situation.
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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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AndrewMDec 20, 2004
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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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tommygOct 27, 2004Beautiful. Warm. A down-filled concept record that dosen't weigh you down. Harkens back to when times were a little bit better, less confused, but still looks forward with confidence and opitimism. Absolutely gorgeous. California chamber pop.
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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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SeanJSep 28, 2004No doubt, it's extremely good. However, after all the years of hype, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed? All this fuss for this?! It doesn't come anywhere near Pet Sounds in terms of sheer genius. It's certainly one of the best albums of the year, but the Arcade Fire's "Funeral" is miles beyond this.
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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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davekNov 16, 2005I have been waiting for this along time ..I just wish it was done by the beach boys of the 60's
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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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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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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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JohnFDec 31, 2004The finest collection of gumball jamz this side of the Baltic Ocean, hands down.
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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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Apr 9, 2012Surf's up is possibly the best song ever made and Smile is possibly one of the best albums ever made/not made. 2nd only to Pet Sounds, Smile in its newest most complete incarnation is ecstasy.
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Sep 17, 2014
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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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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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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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FeidoVApr 12, 2010A great album.
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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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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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KimMMay 2, 2009Simply superb.
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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]