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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AnthonyLMar 26, 2010Best album ever.
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WJFlywheelSep 30, 2004Good stuff for the Mike Love Fanclub.
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MarycOct 1, 2004I never heard anything like this before.
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ShaneSep 28, 2004
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MikeASep 28, 2004A Masterpiece
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RayGSep 30, 2004
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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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StephenMOct 1, 2004Worth the wait.
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JonathanSOct 1, 2004Unbelievable... gets better w/ each listening!
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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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NikeshGSep 30, 2004Truly Ace
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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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FeidoVApr 12, 2010A great album.
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BrianEMar 26, 2010Perfection in Sound
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dickjOct 5, 2004Ambitious, banal, silly, over-produced, schlocky, depressing, sappy, 37 years too late and egotistic
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DuncanL.Jan 2, 2010The great thing about this being the best rated album by the music critics is that it shows very clearly just how superficial and sheep like those critics actually are. This is no more than a piece of fluff good for a couple of spins and then put away at the back of the cupboard with that Nirvana record. But hey there are plenty of other sheep who agree with them so they must be right.
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GeneDSep 13, 2008
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Oct 2, 2011
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JoeGMar 9, 2006I wanted to love this, I really did. It's from a genius isn't it, one of the great lost treasures of 60's pop! A few of the sequences (Heroes and Villians) are excellent, but I struggled to warm to much else, some of which is positively flaky. I've just sold it on Ebay, and hope the buyer enjoys it more than I did.
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markhJun 8, 2006greatest album ever. hahahahahahahahahahha yeah right, refund please.
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erikbMay 7, 2007one of those albums that you'll force yourself to hear all the way through because you "should," and then realize it is totally impossible to listen to. Can't really say I enjoyed this one at all, which is tough to admit given all the hype. Maybe I don't "get it" but I think the emperor's new clothes comment got it right.
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DaveNAug 5, 2005Who would have thought that the band Brian really wanted to play in was the Moody Blues?
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MattMNov 7, 2004Pretty freakin' boring. The only really good songs are the ones we've heard before: "Good Vibrations" and "Heroes and Villains."
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brianwilsonOct 2, 2004It sucks, overrated piece of trash.
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BigStuartOct 9, 2004It has *sheep sounds* in it! god sake! and his voice is incredibly annoying! this sucks so very very bad.
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DustinBOct 26, 2005
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JohnDJan 7, 2005Just awful.
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harrypotterOct 9, 2005Opt for the Beach Boys originals instead. This is the sound of some demented old geezer trying to relive his glory days while equally demented old critics and musos oddly lap it all up. The emperors new clothes springs to mind. Waste of time. Complete and utter.
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AndyMcDJul 5, 2005Ummmmm... We get it Brian, you like singing "doo wop." Just because this was acceptable in the 60's, doesn't make it so now. Pretty darn overrated.
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ScottYJul 9, 2005I don't get the high ratings this one receives. The music just seems like a slightly updated version of the stuff the Beach Boys were doing in the 1960s. What's so great about this album these days?
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ElMoAug 1, 2005
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WilliamTSep 23, 2005first they told me Revenge Of The Sith had redeemed George Lucas. Heck many critics said it was even better than Star Wars. Then I hear Smile scores 97 on the metatcritic score so I goes out and buy it. "It's impossible for words to describe what is necesassary, for those who do not know what... horror...means"
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DanSJan 12, 2006Holy shit this album sucks. Its the #1 album on metacritic of all time? Ive lost all faith in critics and user ratings for life, with the exception of the few of you who trashed this piece, youve all lost your minds, much like Wilson. If you bought this album i feel sorry for you.
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DrewMMar 18, 2006Oh my God. This album is absolutely fucking horrible. Anybody who rated it high needs a good smack. Really. Get a life, people.
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[Anonymous]Mar 6, 2006pretty poor stuff if we're honest with ourselves
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chipdIIIOct 13, 2004Why did it take 37 years before it came out Brian? "Because it's mostly utter cock and it took me to completely lose my mind before I gave in to my money loving bastard label. ha ha ha wibble." This should have a really remained a myth.
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DavidDec 16, 2004No No No No!
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BruceOct 27, 2004You can take a pile of horse manure, mould it into the shape of the Statue of David and people will call it art, simply because that's what they are supposed to say. Of course in reality, it's really just a pile of shit. I'm sure Brian Wilson is "smiling" all the way to the bank !
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mattfOct 27, 2005I just don't get it and I've listened to the album many times. Best album of 2004. No way!
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KeithOct 28, 2005Utter sonic drivel, bought this for a friend, feelin' a tad guilty....must think i hate em.
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reynOct 3, 2005Worst CD. Ever.
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Rev.RikardOct 5, 2005I tried! I really did! This may be the most overrated album ever. No song touched or moved me; and it has become one of the few albums in my collections that is probably permanently shelved. Sorry Brian, but the years of sabbatical did little to make this work inspiring.
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DaveApr 12, 2005
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TboneMJun 29, 2005Most. Overrated. Ever.
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WaldoSep 11, 2005Horrific. And irritating. There's a reason that it took 37 years to get this material out--it ought to have remained in the dustbin.
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PeterFramptonSep 11, 2005Sounds rather like a lost, misguided composition clobbered together by the Moody Blues, George Michael, and a drunken aardvark. The drunken aardvark is the best, too. Save your money.
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JackhammerSep 11, 2005Wilson's voice is shot. He sounds like Neal Young with pneumonia--and is freuqently garbled. Easily the most grating album, as well as most overrated, on the market.
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BrianSApr 9, 2006Bought this album based on Metacritic review - deeply dissapointed
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JacobQNov 16, 2005Those demons in ol Brians head should have stayed there and not recorded on cd. I'm putting this "gem" on ebay...
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NoobyFJan 22, 2006Brian Wilson is ancient OKAY! Get it through your head. I thought the album was so thoroughly boring, as his other stuff was. So I'm one hundred percent behind you, Dan S. It's terrible.
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JackLMar 12, 2006
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NickWMar 22, 2006I agree with Drew M
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JakeMNov 21, 2004These songs are stupid and I cannot comprehend this albums critical acclaim. This guys brain is obviously fried. His songs aren't about anything at all and they all sound the same. The choruses are terrible. I HATE it. Come back Beach Boys!! How could this even be compared to Pet Sounds!!!!!!!!
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MackG.Nov 26, 2004
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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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DaleJun 6, 2005If you are a fan of BW or the Beach Boys, Smile may (or not) tickle your fancy, but if you are just a casual fan taken in by the critical acclaim it has received from this site (like yours truly), DO NOT PURCHASE THIS ALBUM before listening to it first. It is overrated by any standard and most may find the dated sound and (lack of) song structure rather unpalatable.
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GiovanniOAug 17, 2006Why are most reviewers giving this album a 10? When you rate an album do you consider overall enjoyability for adults that did not grow up in the 60's? As an open minded individual I can appreciate any music regardless of age or type, but as a reviewer I could not give a 10 to an album based on its history or lenght of creation. Rome was not built in a day but it fell in one...
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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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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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hitchynonejusthitchy!Oct 13, 2005
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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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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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RaleighRJun 28, 2006
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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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danielbMay 3, 2007
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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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DanDFeb 13, 2010It sounded like Brian Wilson threw mud at the wall while high on drugs through this entire album until "Good Vibrations" magically appeared. Frankly it was the only track where the mad combination of his doo-wops and strings and novelty sounds worked together. I'm sorry, but even a monkey could type the Iliad if he tried enough times.
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ChrisLFeb 9, 2010Pristine.
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engelbertcockswallowerOct 10, 2004gee this suxx!! get sum papa roach doodes!!
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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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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]