"Pet Sounds," the eleventh studio album by the iconic American rock band the Beach Boys, hit the shelves on May 16, 1966, courtesy of Capitol Records. While its reception in the United States initially leaned towards lukewarm, with a peak at number 10 on the Billboard Top LPs chart, the album found fervent praise across the pond. In the United Kingdom, critics lauded its groundbreaking nature, propelling it to the lofty heights of number 2 on the Record Retailer chart, where it lingered in the top ten for a remarkable six months. Marketed as "the most progressive pop album ever," Pet Sounds garnered acclaim for its audacious production, sophisticated compositions, and heartfelt lyrics, solidifying its status as a seminal work in music history.
 
Despite its initial obscurity with mass audiences, Pet Sounds underwent a renaissance in the 1990s, emerging as a darling of critics and musicians alike. It soared to the top of numerous polls for the best album of all time, including those conducted by NME, Mojo, Uncut, and The Times. Rolling Stone's revered "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" consistently places it at number 2 in every edition. Brian Wilson, the band's creative mastermind, embarked on a series of Pet Sounds concert tours in the early 2000s and late 2010s, celebrating the enduring legacy of the album.
 
In recognition of its profound cultural impact, "Pet Sounds" earned induction into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2004, hailed as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for exceeding one million units sold in the United States, the album's influence continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. An expanded reissue titled "The Pet Sounds Sessions" hit the shelves in 1997, offering enthusiasts isolated vocals and instrumental versions, session highlights, and the album's inaugural true stereo mix.