Symbolism on the cover of 15 Big Ones?

[SinisterSmile]

I'm curious if this has been looked into.

On the cover, only Brian and Dennis are smiling. Directly opposite, we have Carl and Mike with a much more somber expression.

Was this intentional?

Also, you'll notice Al has his back to the rest of them. Could this be further symbolism of him turning a blind eye to the Wilson family's inner workings?

I would like your thoughts.

[Autotune]

It was designed by Dean Torrence. He's still around. Perhaps somebody could ask him. In a BBFUN interview he said that, aside from the Olympics reference, he chose colors (blue and orange) that were scientifically proven to attract the eye (sic).

[Mujan, 8@$+@Rc| of a Blue Wizard]

I'm curious if this has been looked into.

On the cover, only Brian and Dennis are smiling. Directly opposite, we have Carl and Mike with a much more somber expression.

Was this intentional?

Also, you'll notice Al has his back to the rest of them. Could this be further symbolism of him turning a blind eye to the Wilson family's inner workings?

I would like your thoughts.

Honestly, I think it's just a really bad cover and you're making too much of it.

[Micha]

And Paul is the only one who is barefooted and doesn't tread on the white stripes.

[Vernon Surfer]

...and if you play the last 10 seconds of  Back Home backwards on the vinyl release you can clearly hear Denis whisper "I buried Saul"
Z

[The Shift]

I think his pic from the same era is more laden… tapes? Fanfares?

[SBonilla]

I think his pic from the same era is more laden… tapes? Fanfares?

This pic looks a little bit spur of the moment. Like the band was called out to the alley behind Brother Studios for a quick shot. It was like someone said, "grab a plant from reception, a chair from the studio and a reel of tape," for props. Earle Mankey had a van, could that have been his?

[Ovi]

...and if you play the last 10 seconds of  Back Home backwards on the vinyl release you can clearly hear Denis whisper "I buried Saul"
Z

If you play TM song backwards it actually sounds better.

[Lowbacca]

I think his pic from the same era is more laden… tapes? Fanfares?

This pic looks a little bit spur of the moment. Like the band was called out to the alley behind Brother Studios for a quick shot. It was like someone said, "grab a plant from reception, a chair from the studio and a reel of tape," for props. Earle Mankey had a van, could that have been his?

More from the same session:









And similar attire for everyone except Dennis:

...and if you play the last 10 seconds of  Back Home backwards on the vinyl release you can clearly hear Denis whisper "I buried Saul"
Z

If you play TM song backwards it actually sounds better.

[Summertime Blooz]

Some bizarre hybrid of '76 Olympics nationalism BS and American Graffiti-fueled nostalgia, that cover is an utter abomination. Looking for meaning or symbolism in such a tossed-off piece of shite is absurd.

[job]

Oh this is an easy one.  There is most definitely heavy symbolism at work there.  The cover was awful as a subliminal warning that you were about to buy an awful album.

[monicker]

Dennis: Carl. What the f***, man. Why'd you bring the reel out here?
Carl: It's cool, it's cool, don't worry about it.
Brian: Why are we doing this? I was in the middle of watching a really good show.
Dennis: Hey, this coffee sucks I just realized. We should get a new machine or something. And sh*t, styrofoam cups...why don't we get some nice espresso cups with saucers?
Mike: Everyone, please! Just look into the camera. Make sure your props are visible. Look serious.
Carl: I got it, Mike.
Dennis: Yeah, he's got the fuckin' tape.
Brian: How long do I need to hold this pose? This chair sucks.
Mike: Brian. Come on. Please. Look at Al, he's doing just fine. You don't hear Al complaining, do you?
Al: Naw, I'm not complainin'.
Dennis: This is bullshit. Why is the plant out here? Who brought that out? Carl?
Carl: Don't sweat it, Denny.
Dennis: You just better not lose that tape, bro.
Mike: Symbolism, Dennis, SYMBOLISM. This cover's gonna have layers, lots of room for interpretation.
Brian: I gotta go, guys. I can't do this anymore.
Al: Hey Brian, foosball later on? After dinner?
Mike: You will not go just yet, BRIAN.
Al: Hey Mike, play us a song on that thing. You know any good ones?
Mike: Al?
Al: Hey, I just realized, where's Bruce? Shouldn't we have told him about the photo?
Mike: AL?
Al: Sorry.
Mike: How's it goin', Earle? Any good shots yet? Hold on, I'm gonna switch to the claymore. Everyone stay put!

[monicker]

Dennis: Man, this is a drag. Do you know how many other things I could be doing right now instead of this sh*t?
Al: Aw, it’s not so bad, Denny. It’s kind of like the old days again, gettin’ together for a shoot and a session and all.
Brian: (sigh)
Al: Hey, Bri, remember that guy, that old friend of yours, Loren what's-his-name? Schwartz! That was it, Schwartz. He was somethin’ else, wasn’t he? Real cool cat, that guy.
Brian: (sigh)
Al: Had a whole different vibe about him or somethin’, really tuned in. I don’t know, I’m just reminiscing is all.
Brian: Al, come on, no. Don’t. I don’t... That’s not…no. Come on.
Al: No but, Brian, remember how he protected you? He was like your guardian angel, he healed you. Golly, I’d go as far as to say he SAVED you, Bri. Remember? I mean, the guy pretty much single-handedly did a great service to all mankind by introducing you to cool books and LA hipsters. You guys agree or what? I mean, Brian wouldn’t be the genius we know him to be today if it weren’t for Lor.
Mike: Al. We don’t talk about that guy. Understand?
Al: Alright, fine. I’m just sayin’, I liked the guy, you know? And, shucks, he liked me too. We were straight with each other. Guy was real swell, didn’t give a f*** what anyone thought of him. Real groovy ideas on women and socioeconomic class, too.
Brian: AL!
Carl: Hey, real quick, should I have my left hand over right or right over left? What looks better?
Mike: That’s not really important, Carl. I appreciate your commitment to this, but let’s focus on the bigger picture.
Dennis: Hey, what the f***, is that Bruce over by the garbage? What’s he doing?
Mike: How does this thing look next to the plant like this? Next to the plant or on the other side, away from the plant?
Al: You know, Bri, in a few years, thanks to the sage wisdom of Loren, Mar is gonna leave you. It's gonna be just like how he got you to get rid of Murry. And watch it, Mike, you're next!
Dennis: Hey Brian, I’m just thinkin’ aloud here, something about seeing Bruce rummaging through the trash that got me thinkin’ … This is a little out there, but … Suppose one day there's a bunch of maniacs who get together on a daily basis to talk about us and you and Mike and specific dates and sh*t like old bags of potato chips...  
Brian: Yeah?
Dennis: What if they were to ask you a bunch of questions. Lots of them, just hurling them all at you, you know? About sh*t you don’t care about and don’t want to be thinking about.
Brian: Well, Dennis ... I guess I don’t think I really understand your question.
Al: Yeah, that’s pretty far out, Denny. What do you mean by that anyway?
Brian: I guess I would answer all the questions very insightfully, Dennis.
Dennis: Hey, thanks for that answer, Brian! Really appreciate you doing that, you're the best! Can't wait to hear what you're working on next. Best of luck to you.
Al: Denny, you're actin' pretty weird. What gives?
Mike: God dammit, are we a diseased bunch of mo'fos! Can we just get this shot?
Carl: Hey, I’m good to go, Mike. I got this.
Mike: You’re doin’ a fine job, Carl, and I can appreciate that.

[Mujan, 8@$+@Rc| of a Blue Wizard]

Dennis: Man, this is a drag. Do you know how many other things I could be doing right now instead of this sh*t?
Al: Aw, it’s not so bad, Denny. It’s kind of like the old days again, gettin’ together for a shoot and a session and all.
Brian: (sigh)
Al: Hey, Bri, remember that guy, that old friend of yours, Loren what's-his-name? Schwartz! That was it, Schwartz. He was somethin’ else, wasn’t he? Real cool cat, that guy.
Brian: (sigh)
Al: Had a whole different vibe about him or somethin’, really tuned in. I don’t know, I’m just reminiscing is all.
Brian: Al, come on, no. Don’t. I don’t... That’s not…no. Come on.
Al: No but, Brian, remember how he protected you? He was like your guardian angel, he healed you. Golly, I’d go as far as to say he SAVED you, Bri. Remember? I mean, the guy pretty much single-handedly did a great service to all mankind by introducing you to cool books and LA hipsters. You guys agree or what? I mean, Brian wouldn’t be the genius we know him to be today if it weren’t for Lor.
Mike: Al. We don’t talk about that guy. Understand?
Al: Alright, fine. I’m just sayin’, I liked the guy, you know? And, shucks, he liked me too. We were straight with each other. Guy was real swell, didn’t give a f*** what anyone thought of him. Real groovy ideas on women and socioeconomic class, too.
Brian: AL!
Carl: Hey, real quick, should I have my left hand over right or right over left? What looks better?
Mike: That’s not really important, Carl. I appreciate your commitment to this, but let’s focus on the bigger picture.
Dennis: Hey, what the f***, is that Bruce over by the garbage? What’s he doing?
Mike: How does this thing look next to the plant like this? Next to the plant or on the other side, away from the plant?
Al: You know, Bri, in a few years, thanks to the sage wisdom of Loren, Mar is gonna leave you. It's gonna be just like how he got you to get rid of Murry. And watch it, Mike, you're next!
Dennis: Hey Brian, I’m just thinkin’ aloud here, something about seeing Bruce rummaging through the trash that got me thinkin’ … This is a little out there, but … Suppose one day there's a bunch of maniacs who get together on a daily basis to talk about us and you and Mike and specific dates and sh*t like old bags of potato chips... 
Brian: Yeah?
Dennis: What if they were to ask you a bunch of questions. Lots of them, just hurling them all at you, you know? About sh*t you don’t care about and don’t want to be thinking about.
Brian: Well, Dennis ... I guess I don’t think I really understand your question.
Al: Yeah, that’s pretty far out, Denny. What do you mean by that anyway?
Brian: I guess I would answer all the questions very insightfully, Dennis.
Mike: God dammit, are we a diseased bunch of mo'fos! Can we just get this shot?
Carl: Hey, I’m good to go, Mike. I got this.
Mike: You’re doin’ a fine job, Carl, and I can appreciate that.

You win the forum, sir. Best post on Smiley SMiLE I have EVER seen!

[SinisterSmile]

Dennis: Man, this is a drag. Do you know how many other things I could be doing right now instead of this sh*t?
Al: Aw, it’s not so bad, Denny. It’s kind of like the old days again, gettin’ together for a shoot and a session and all.
Brian: (sigh)
Al: Hey, Bri, remember that guy, that old friend of yours, Loren what's-his-name? Schwartz! That was it, Schwartz. He was somethin’ else, wasn’t he? Real cool cat, that guy.
Brian: (sigh)
Al: Had a whole different vibe about him or somethin’, really tuned in. I don’t know, I’m just reminiscing is all.
Brian: Al, come on, no. Don’t. I don’t... That’s not…no. Come on.
Al: No but, Brian, remember how he protected you? He was like your guardian angel, he healed you. Golly, I’d go as far as to say he SAVED you, Bri. Remember? I mean, the guy pretty much single-handedly did a great service to all mankind by introducing you to cool books and LA hipsters. You guys agree or what? I mean, Brian wouldn’t be the genius we know him to be today if it weren’t for Lor.
Mike: Al. We don’t talk about that guy. Understand?
Al: Alright, fine. I’m just sayin’, I liked the guy, you know? And, shucks, he liked me too. We were straight with each other. Guy was real swell, didn’t give a f*** what anyone thought of him. Real groovy ideas on women and socioeconomic class, too.
Brian: AL!
Carl: Hey, real quick, should I have my left hand over right or right over left? What looks better?
Mike: That’s not really important, Carl. I appreciate your commitment to this, but let’s focus on the bigger picture.
Dennis: Hey, what the f***, is that Bruce over by the garbage? What’s he doing?
Mike: How does this thing look next to the plant like this? Next to the plant or on the other side, away from the plant?
Al: You know, Bri, in a few years, thanks to the sage wisdom of Loren, Mar is gonna leave you. It's gonna be just like how he got you to get rid of Murry. And watch it, Mike, you're next!
Dennis: Hey Brian, I’m just thinkin’ aloud here, something about seeing Bruce rummaging through the trash that got me thinkin’ … This is a little out there, but … Suppose one day there's a bunch of maniacs who get together on a daily basis to talk about us and you and Mike and specific dates and sh*t like old bags of potato chips... 
Brian: Yeah?
Dennis: What if they were to ask you a bunch of questions. Lots of them, just hurling them all at you, you know? About sh*t you don’t care about and don’t want to be thinking about.
Brian: Well, Dennis ... I guess I don’t think I really understand your question.
Al: Yeah, that’s pretty far out, Denny. What do you mean by that anyway?
Brian: I guess I would answer all the questions very insightfully, Dennis.
Mike: God dammit, are we a diseased bunch of mo'fos! Can we just get this shot?
Carl: Hey, I’m good to go, Mike. I got this.
Mike: You’re doin’ a fine job, Carl, and I can appreciate that.

You win the forum, sir. Best post on Smiley SMiLE I have EVER seen!

I concur, A++++

[Slow In Brain]

I have queried this on this MB previously without an answer. How did they get away with using the Olympic logo? I don't think much either way for how the cover actually looks apart from Brian looking like sh*t  . They definitely should have used another photo of him.

[joshferrell]

it's all Illuminati symbols... 

[Mike's Beard]

Dennis: Hey, I thought we all agreed to shave our beards off for this shoot!
Mike: April Fools mutherfuka.
Carl: Hey Brian, guess what I found on this old reel? The second movement to Surf's Up. Maybe we should put it on the new album?
Mike: That avant garde sh*t? No way! Our fans want fun, relatable songs and odes to TM, right Brian?
Brian: I want a cheese pizza.
Al: Can somebody help me get out of this van, I think the door's jammed.
Carl: Now Brian, you know what Landy said. Absolutely no cocaine, no booze and no fatty foods.
Brian: Whoa guys! Maybe it's just an acid flashback but I think I've just had a vision from the future.
Al: Can somebody please help me with this door? Mike you're closest.
Brian: Oh my god Mike, you're going to sue me like, about 30 times. I'm going to have to keep pumping out albums 'till I'm an old man just to pay my legal fees. I'm gonna make this really shitty album with a bunch of nobodies, who I've never heard of singing all over it. Man what a drag!
Al: Why is no one helping me!!??
Dennis: Hey my coffee tastes funny! And why's there a ginger pube floating in it?
Mike: (Snigger)
Brian: (Sighs). I wish I was home in bed, snorting big fat lines off a 15" pizza with extra cheese.
Mike: Easy there big guy, not 'till the album's finished.
Al: (Screaming) GUYS, IF YOU DON'T GET ME OUTTA THIS VAN RIGHT NOW I'M GONNA f*** YOU ALL UP, BIG TIME!
Brian: OK, let's get back to work.

The guys trudge back into the studio.

Carl: Hey, has anyone seen Al today?

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Carl: Da Bearssss! Da Bearsss!
Mike: Bearsss! Bearssss! Bearssss!
Al: Da Bullsss! Da Bullsss!
Dennis: Ditka! Ditka! Ditka!
Brian: Polish sausage! Polish sausage!

[adamghost]

LOL, did Earle really take these?  Because I'll ask him what they really DID say...

[Slow In Brain]

Looking at the above photos makes me wonder what ever happened to other images of obese Brian 

[Capitol Punishment]

Dennis: Man, this is a drag. Do you know how many other things I could be doing right now instead of this sh*t?
Al: Aw, it’s not so bad, Denny. It’s kind of like the old days again, gettin’ together for a shoot and a session and all.
Brian: (sigh)
Al: Hey, Bri, remember that guy, that old friend of yours, Loren what's-his-name? Schwartz! That was it, Schwartz. He was somethin’ else, wasn’t he? Real cool cat, that guy.
Brian: (sigh)
Al: Had a whole different vibe about him or somethin’, really tuned in. I don’t know, I’m just reminiscing is all.
Brian: Al, come on, no. Don’t. I don’t... That’s not…no. Come on.
Al: No but, Brian, remember how he protected you? He was like your guardian angel, he healed you. Golly, I’d go as far as to say he SAVED you, Bri. Remember? I mean, the guy pretty much single-handedly did a great service to all mankind by introducing you to cool books and LA hipsters. You guys agree or what? I mean, Brian wouldn’t be the genius we know him to be today if it weren’t for Lor.
Mike: Al. We don’t talk about that guy. Understand?
Al: Alright, fine. I’m just sayin’, I liked the guy, you know? And, shucks, he liked me too. We were straight with each other. Guy was real swell, didn’t give a f*** what anyone thought of him. Real groovy ideas on women and socioeconomic class, too.
Brian: AL!
Carl: Hey, real quick, should I have my left hand over right or right over left? What looks better?
Mike: That’s not really important, Carl. I appreciate your commitment to this, but let’s focus on the bigger picture.
Dennis: Hey, what the f***, is that Bruce over by the garbage? What’s he doing?
Mike: How does this thing look next to the plant like this? Next to the plant or on the other side, away from the plant?
Al: You know, Bri, in a few years, thanks to the sage wisdom of Loren, Mar is gonna leave you. It's gonna be just like how he got you to get rid of Murry. And watch it, Mike, you're next!
Dennis: Hey Brian, I’m just thinkin’ aloud here, something about seeing Bruce rummaging through the trash that got me thinkin’ … This is a little out there, but … Suppose one day there's a bunch of maniacs who get together on a daily basis to talk about us and you and Mike and specific dates and sh*t like old bags of potato chips...  
Brian: Yeah?
Dennis: What if they were to ask you a bunch of questions. Lots of them, just hurling them all at you, you know? About sh*t you don’t care about and don’t want to be thinking about.
Brian: Well, Dennis ... I guess I don’t think I really understand your question.
Al: Yeah, that’s pretty far out, Denny. What do you mean by that anyway?
Brian: I guess I would answer all the questions very insightfully, Dennis.
Dennis: Hey, thanks for that answer, Brian! Really appreciate you doing that, you're the best! Can't wait to hear what you're working on next. Best of luck to you.
Al: Denny, you're actin' pretty weird. What gives?
Mike: God dammit, are we a diseased bunch of mo'fos! Can we just get this shot?
Carl: Hey, I’m good to go, Mike. I got this.
Mike: You’re doin’ a fine job, Carl, and I can appreciate that.

Forget post of the year, this is post of the century! A++++++++++++++++

[Juice Brohnston]

The cover did give us the 'Beach Boys' logo, which has become pretty iconic over the years.