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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Nov 10, 2011
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Apr 2, 2019A missing Beach Boys album that could have just become a holy grail of lost content if not for Brian Wilson's reimagining much later. Great on its own the layered accapella vocals are near perfect beach music.
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Aug 9, 20169.0
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Aug 20, 2023I enjoyed listening to the album. It reminded me of old rock albums. I think it is definitely a timeless album that will never get old.
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Feb 24, 2012Smile was and is a landmark in pop music. Building on his masterful work on Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson creates a complex, moving and bewildering flow of music.
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Oct 2, 2011
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Nov 18, 2021Smile is simply one of the greatest albums of all time. There's something that really warms my heart when I listen to this. Wilson's old yet smooth voice is relaxing to say the least. Please, listen to this album.
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Aug 15, 2021
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DavidPOct 7, 2004
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williamfOct 7, 2004never was that much of a brain wilson fan, but wow!!!!! this is a classic
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JimDOct 8, 2004An amazing aural experience. Totally unlike anything else by the Beach Boys in many ways, but the harmonies take you back.
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JEOct 9, 2004i 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..
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JohnSJan 10, 2005
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VinceH.Oct 1, 2004
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JensKOct 1, 2004Forget about 1967, this is a great, great, great record today!
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LarryJOct 6, 2004It 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.
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MichaelCSep 30, 2004The Only thing wrong with this album is Brian's voice, if he had that classic falsetto, it would be perfection. But I'd only drop the album 0.1 of a point for that, so I'd give the album 10 out of 10. L&M
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WJFlywheelSep 30, 2004Good stuff for the Mike Love Fanclub.
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JindrichHJan 15, 2005Beautiful....
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ArielNJan 18, 2005Smile Brian, You Did It Again.
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MurielB.Jan 20, 2005Look ! Listen ! Vibrate ! Smile !
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jimsJan 2, 2005Pop symphony, have never heard anything like it
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joejJan 4, 2005Brilliant!
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MartyMJan 7, 2005Brilliant. Smile is finally released and I was not disappointed at all. The hype was definitely deserved.
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bobbycJan 7, 2005
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stevepApr 12, 2005A true Classic ! ! !
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ErickC.Jun 27, 2005
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DriRSep 7, 2005Wonderful! Brilliant!
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RaleighRJun 28, 2006
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MarycOct 1, 2004I never heard anything like this before.
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JackBOct 1, 2004
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StevieOct 1, 2004
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GaryEOct 14, 2004Now we can see how expendable the rest of the Beach Boys really were. Brian was obviously the brains of the outfit.
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AaronS.Oct 15, 2004Better 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.
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StillaKidAtheartOct 15, 2004Simply 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.
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TazmanianDevilOct 2, 2004Can't stop listening... enjoy every moment of this CD
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alcOct 2, 2004love this album the most!!
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GeraldKOct 22, 2004
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midnightdreadDec 2, 2004
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jonhDec 31, 2004if possible, I'd take this music to those who have never heard it-a musical missionary if you will-to not hear this glorious soundscape can be nothing but a lost connection with sheer musical perfection-
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NickKOct 24, 2004I didn't think it was a good idea that Brain was re-recording SMiLE from scratch. However, he proved me wrong-- this is a masterful psychedelic pop opera, and I enjoy it much more than the bits and scraps we've been listening to for the last decade through bootlegs and official Beach Boy releases.
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RICHARDBOct 2, 2004Not 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.
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bingobongoOct 20, 2004Good, but not-so-good. Sgt. Pepper is far better, and I understand why Brian Wilson, obsessed by Beatles, destroyed this album. He wanted realize something better, but he couldn't. Pet Sounds remains his best.
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JMOct 3, 2004Who would have thought it could turn out this good almost 40 yrs later? I can't stop listening to it!!!
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JimMOct 30, 2004Great music, great composer, GREAT band! Brian's band pulls off what the Beach Boys never could. I can't get enough of this CD!
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BrianFOct 4, 2004The 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!
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RobbieWOct 4, 2004I 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++++
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ChristopherFOct 4, 2004A 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.
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EoinOct 5, 2004A good album, but the songs are not as strong as on Pet Sounds. But as concept albums go it's quite good.
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paulaOct 7, 2004the best 45 minutes of popular music i've ever heard.
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ShaneSep 28, 2004
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MikeASep 28, 2004A Masterpiece
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NickJSep 30, 2004Prepare yourself for something new at every listen. A superb mix of feelgood pop, art opus and grand slam genius eccentricity. However in terms of mood, for 'eccentricity' replace this word with 'electricity' as far as this bands performance goes.
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DennisSSep 30, 2004Words could not describe the first time I heard it!! It is by far the best rock concept album of all time!!! A true Brian Wilson Masterpiece!!!!!
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RayGSep 30, 2004
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DamonFSep 30, 2004When I heard this album after hearing the reviews, I am convinced that it has already obliterated every album made this year, out of the sky. This includes the new Morrissey album. This is how a decent album should be made by an artist. Sung brilliantly and layered and arranged without the use of meaningless computer technology
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dfSep 30, 2004STUNNING
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MattWSep 30, 2004This is one of the best records I've ever heard. Seriously.
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GaryRJan 13, 2005Awe-struck! More appreciated in 2004/5 than it would've been in 1967. Actually makes the music of 67 and yes even Peppe, sound dated. Smile was made for these times!
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BrianYJan 18, 2005A triumph of the human spirit and a beautiful piece of utterly fun, pop, perfection. The best album in years.
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PeterBJan 19, 2005Astounding!
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SuzanDec 16, 2005Melodic, masterly crafted, way ahead of its time for the late 60's, simply smile-worthy!!
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GaryNJan 5, 2005Outstanding CD. Complex music that grabs you from the first listen. Unique, expanding the meaning of rock music. Vocals are complicated but catchy so they don't leave your head. Heard it several times and it gets better with every listen.
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JRJan 6, 2005
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DaveDJan 7, 2005Best album since Brainwashed. That's along time.
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AllanHFeb 16, 2005Everything you hoped and dreamed it would be and more. For it not only to live up to it's legendary reputations after all these year, but exceed it is a simply remarkable acheivement.
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JürgenRMar 4, 2005The best album of all time!!!
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TomFMay 13, 2005SMiLE is just undoubtedly the greatest music ever written. While the new tracks are missing a little of the heart of the 1967 tracks, they are close enough. The production on this album has yet to be tested by another musician.
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mattaMay 27, 2005Not as classic as "Pet Sounds" but still amazing, especially considering this was really all written back in the 60's. Too bad that it wasn't released back then, becuase if it had been, it probably would have the same status as Pet Sounds does today. IN any case, it is a great album, but something has definetely been lost by the four decade delay of the release.
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TristramCSep 6, 2005
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SeamusSMar 30, 2006
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cliftonbApr 3, 2006
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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]