The Smiley Smile Message Board

This pertains to the 2011 MFSL SACD release.

Did a search, but it's a bit tough to find results. Why hasn't this been talked about beyond fans commenting, "Yeah, the lead is double-tracked again"? Was it simply a matter of the track finally being found?

Also, I have to say, I'm so tired of this stereo mix of "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" Yes, Mike's vocal for the bridge as it is on the original album no longer exists. Bummer, sincerely, but this terrible phasing bullsh*t going on for the sake of "restoring" his vocal for that part absolutely marrs the recording. Brian sounds great there, just mix it as is and leave well enough alone. It's not like the original recording, but what can you do? It'd be nice if two mixes were made next time, but I don't see it as likely.

This is just pertaining to the newish SACD, right? 

I am of the feeling that the second vocal multi HAS NOT been found, and that the  double tracking was done by taking the single tracked vocal and 'doubling it' over the mix.

If you listen to the mono mix, the double-tracked vocal sounds a lot different, and more 'authentic' (for lack of a better word), than what is on the SACD.

I swear I typed that originally, but alas, nowhere to be found in my original message, haha - yes, that release.

Y'think? I don't know, as things like that tend to have a certain feel to them, a certain chorus-yness. Consider Carl's artificial ADT on "Cabinessence", although obviously things have changed since then. I don't know, it doesn't sound like it was doubled artificially to me, but I could be wrong.

I agree that it doesn't sound like traditional chorusing or ADT was used but I also think it doesn't quite sound like the vocal on the mono.  There's a different inflection and intonation on that 2nd overdub that I'm just not hearing in the new mix.  I'm guessing it was achieved through artificial means.

It could be possible that the vocal from the accapella mix (as found on the PS box) was mixed in to the SACD version.

I believe it was stated that they FOUND it. Steve Hoffman was talking about this not too long ago.

Can someone upload this on Youtube? Would love to give it a listen.

I don't have any info but I just wanted to say that I think Mike sounds a hundred times better than Brian on that part. In fact I can't stand listening to Brian sing the bridge. But that's just my opinion of course

I feel the same. While Brian sounds fantastic this isn't the version of Wouldn't It Be Nice I grew up with it feels... wrong. It's like if someone replaced Carl with Mike on God Only Knows. While the mix sounds a little strange in the MFSL version, I don't mind it that much considering how Mike is just so much better on the bridge.

Even if I didn't prefer Brian's vocal for the "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" bridge (Mike at his most nasal imo), I'd still give preference to the vocal as it appeared on the original version if it wasn't done by simply inserting Mike's vocal from a mono mix. It sounds so, so terrible, and such a brilliant song doesn't deserve to have what is probably its best moment tampered with and in such strange sonic quality. :(

I agree, it's very jarring when the change happens.

As much as I love Mike's singing on the rest of Pet Sounds, I've never been a fan of his vocals on the bridge.  Way too nasal, and they sound completely phoned in, with no genuine feeling.  Brian sounds like he gives a damn what he's singing, and in my humble opinion, Mike does not.

As for the original topic, I haven't heard said mix, but finding Brian's doubled vocal would be fantastic news.

Does anyone know for sure if this version is available to download through Amazon or Itunes? I would love to hear this track, specifically.

No. Its a limited release that you have to buy. Kind of defeats the purpose of 24bit audio if it goes through iTunes. Its worth the purchase.

Alrighty. Thank you for the info. I will be sure to check into buying it!