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Pet Sounds goes hi-res in new Blu-ray release

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Nearly 50 years after its debut, The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds receives the hi-res treatment. The seminal work — plus six bonus tracks — will make its Blu-ray audio debut on June 16 via Capitol Records/UMe.

This isn’t the first reissue of the Beach Boys’ most acclaimed work, but it is the first featuring high resolution (24-bit/192kHz) audio. In addition to Brian Wilson’s original mix in PCM Mono, the Blu-ray release also includes versions in Dolby True HD Stereo and the new DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround mixes. These two mixes were produced and mixed by Mark Linett, the three-time Grammy winning record producer and audio engineer, under Wilson’s supervision.

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Bonus tracks include the Unused Intro for Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder), Wouldn’t It Be Nice – Session Highlights, Wouldn’t It Be Nice – Alternative Mix without Lead Vocal, God Only Knows – Session Highlights, God Only Knows – Master Track Mix with A Cappella Tag, and Summer Means New Love.

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Pet Sounds has a storied history in the rock cannon and remains the best-known work in The Beach Boys’ extensive discography. It’s received recognition as one of the greatest albums ever recorded from Rolling Stone (#2), MOJO (#1), NME (#1) and dozens of other publications. In 2004, it was recognized by the Library of Congress as “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant” and is preserved in the National Recording Registry. The record features classic rock standards “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “God Only Knows” and “Sloop John B,” among others.

This hi-res edition is targeted to give the listener a richer, more intimate experience with the artsy, intricately-produced psych rock album. On Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson intermingled complex vocal harmonies, keyboards, and guitars with unconventional instruments like bicycle bells, buzzing organs, dog whistles, Hawaiian string instruments, barking dogs, and more.

For those with top tier audio systems and Blu-ray players, this release could become a must-have standard.

The news comes alongside five new Beach Boys vinyl reissues this week (also by Capital/UMe), including 15 Big Ones (1976), M.I.U. Album (1978), L.A. (Light Album) (1979), Keepin’ The Summer Alive (1980), and The Beach Boys (1985) on 180-gram vinyl. On May 12, Carl And the Passions So Tough (1972) will also be released on 180-gram vinyl.

Updated 4/7/2015: This post was updated to add the 6 bonus tracks for the release.

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Chris Leo Palermino
Chris Leo Palermino
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chris Leo Palermino is a music, tech, business, and culture journalist based between New York and Boston. He also contributes…
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