





Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson is embracing the digital era for the release of the SMiLE Sessions, a double CD of never-before-released recordings, outtakes and extra material from the 1966 to 1967 album sessions.

The SMiLE Sessions, available Nov. 1 in the States, will be available as double CD, digital package, expanded box sets and special packages only available through TheBeachBoys.com. Some of that bonus material includes additional artwork, a double vinyl LP set, a 60-page hardbound book with unseen photos and memorabilia and new essays from the Beach Boys themselves.

Since being recorded in the 60s, SMiLE has developed notoriety as the most famous album never released. It was meant to follow the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, but the project fell apart for mysterious reasons. Some blamed the Beach Boys' label for squashing the deal, while others cited rifts within the band or lead song-writer Brian Wilson's emotional and physical state.

SMiLE, however, was not destined for the dust-bin. Several bootlegged versions of the album began circulating the Internet and Wilson triumphantly returned to re-record and release SMiLE in 2004 to enormously positive reviews.

The SMiLE Sessions have slightly reorganized the track listings and draw from the original recordings from the 60s. Perhaps more of a treasure are the four additional CDs of unreleased audio and recordings. These CD's have tracks such as "Heroes and Villains: Part Two Revised (Master Take)" and "Heroes and VIllians: Verse Remake" from a separate recording session.

It's a goldmine for Beach Boys fans, not just to hear the album, but to get a glimpse into the studio process that both created and frayed its creators. "We figured that people were finally ready to hear all that kind of music," says Brian Wilson. It's been a process for Wilson, known for his elaborate harmonies and painstaking perfectionism, to let go of some of the control, especially as the SMiLE Sessions embrace the randomness of the Internet.

The Beach Boys are embracing crowdsourcing with the creation of two official music videos, one for their hit "Good Vibrations" and another for "Heroes and Villains," taken from SMiLE. The band has partnered with Tongal to ask fans to submit video concepts in 250 characters or less. The best submissions will then be made into corresponding music videos. "The thing is, I don't even have a computer," Wilson says. While he admits he's not much of a tech savante, Wilson is excited to connect with his fans online and see their music video ideas.

The SMiLE sessions come just in time for the Beach Boys' 50th anniversary in 2012. Yet, despite all of the hullabaloo, Wilson has one important hope for the Sessions: "I hope people have good CD players and listen to it on good headphones."





