The term genius is thrown around a lot these days by overconfident parents about their overconfident children, or artists who can adequately finish something of average skill, so it feels inadequate to use the word when it comes to someone as mindbogglingly brilliant as Brian Wilson. But, like Mozart, Phil Spector, Syd Barrett, Tom Waits or Richard David James, the word in the real sense is valid to describe someone so immensely talented at their craft that it somehow seems impossible that a human could produce something so beautiful from nothing.
Most truly great artists manage to change the world in some small, or large way through their output by looking at this world slightly differently from the "average" human. Whether this a product of having their brain wired slightly differently to "us" or by ingesting mind-altering substances, or both is irrelevant in the big picture. The fact that they see and understand life slightly differently allows them to imagine something completely unique and influential and make the world a better place in the process.
If you hone a truly great artists work down to a single moment or work, which I personally have no problem doing as some of my most adored works can stand alone as single piece of inspiration, then Pet Sounds is a pinnacle of human achievement in music. It's attainment of layered melodies and unorthodox chord progressions while not appearing too clever or inaccessible, is a wonder.
There have been (and will be) lots of great pop bands who can make you forget there's a world out there and transport you to somewhere new and exciting, but every one of them since 1961 owes a huge debt to Brian for opening up the idea of what can be done, something to aim for, and something to love.
Thank you, Brian. You showed us just how amazing humans can be.
2 comments
Amen.
Tim, perfect commentry to recognise and celebrate “Outsider” musicianship (we are all on the spectrum). “Music is made by those who music saves!”