Smiley Smile (edition 1967)

If memory serves, this release was patched together from the legendary "Smile" sessions, which were intended to yield up the group's masterpiece. Thus, over the years this has been handled rather roughly by the critical community. Perhaps that will change now that "Smile" has been imperfectly put back together by all the king's horses and all the king's men. In any case, taken as it is, this isn't half-bad. Although the record had two big singles, viz., "Good vibrations" and the magnificent "Heroes and Villains", the group was clearly drifting into their underground phase which would prove artistically their finest hour. Oddities such as "Vegetables" and "Spring Breaks and back to winter" were hints of the greatness which was to ensue as they drifted away from public popularity. ( )