There’s a great line in The Sandlot:

“Remember, kid…heroes get remembered, but legends never die.”

I always loved that line.

Not just because i love quips and one liners, but because it’s one of those lines that feels so profound but also seems a bit contradictory and confusing the more you think about it.

Well, we lost a legend this week:

Brian Wilson - the genius behind one of the most defining musical sounds and eras of America.

Labeling Brian a “legend” is impulsive, and of course true. But thinking about why he is a legend also helps us understand and explain that Sandlot quote.

Even though his physical body is gone, his soul, as expressed through his music, will never die.

It’s not something to “remember” - it’s something that is alive and well to this day…and for all days.

Why “Pet Sounds” is All-Time 🐐

Perhaps there is no greater expression of a curated experience than a musical album.

“Pet Sounds” by the Beach Boys is a near perfect example.

The Music:

Tortured. Euphoric. Melancholic. Haunting. Beautiful.

Hell, the first notes of the album are an out of tune guitar poorly picking the intro to “Wouldn’t It be Nice.”

See, Brian Wilson didn’t just write music, he created a mood board of longing, innocence, and transcendence.

The album is a curated sonic journey, incorporating instruments like harpsichord, theremin, bicycle bells, and even dog barks to paint soundscapes never arranged before in pop music.

Not to mention: the vocal layering & harmonizing.

He really pioneered the human voice as it’s own stand-alone instrument in modern music.

Just listen to the vocal-only track of “God Only Knows".

I mean - damn.

The History:

For context, the Beatles and the Beach Boys hit the scene at practically the same time.

The Beach Boys were already a success with hits like “Surfin’ USA” and “I Get Around” but when Brian heard “Rubber Soul” by The Beatles, he labeled it a “complete album”.

In 1964 he had a mental breakdown on tour, which he later attributed much to his competition with John and Paul as songwriters.

So, he became reclusive and wrote much of “Pet Sounds” on his own.

When Paul McCartney heard “God Only Knows” he called it the greatest song ever written and later said, “He wrote some music that, when i played it, it made me cry.”

What did the Beatles do in response?

Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Like Alcaraz and Sinner at the French Open last week, these geniuses were just smacking banger albums back and forth. One after another. Each upping each other’s game.

The Legacy:

Brian may not have planted LA’s palm trees or paved Pacific Coast Highway, but his music feels like it inspired and defined the lore of Southern California. It is so embedded into our culture.

“Pet Sounds” is his true masterpiece, though.

The vision, approach, and techniques (including two instrumentals) are one of the first examples of a concept album (which Sgt. Pepper subsequently personified) and his lyrics ached with simplicity and brilliance.

In many ways, the emotions he so deftly conveyed give us a longing of something so familiar yet so far away. It’s incredibly expressive and composed at the same time.

As I get older and my life gets crazier, I don’t listen to music as much as I used to. It’s a shame and something I’m actively fighting against. If anything, this is a good reason to press play.

I’d encourage you to go back with me and take some time with this beauty: a curated expression of the soul.

I’m just looking for reasons to fall in love with music again.

Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray, it might come true!

Sports Roundup 🎾

Tennis: Speaking of the French Open, this visual graph showing the live scoring of the epic 5 hour men’s final is incredible.

Baseball: Red Sox rookie phenom Roman Anthony has the most Italian family of all time.

Soccer: Ronaldo is 40 and still competing for his country in lower level tournaments, showing insane emotions after winning. Meanwhile literally all our good US soccer players (all in their 20’s) took the summer off and we’ve lost 4 straight games at home, getting embarrassed 0-4 to Switzerland. The World Cup (on our home turf!) is a year away. I am distraught.

Soundscapes 💆‍♂️

No curated playlist this week, just go listen to “Pet Sounds” all the way through.

Remember listening to albums?

I added it here:

RP WEEKLY!!!!