Today, 44 years late, Capitol Records released The Beach Boys’ SMiLE, or at least as close an approximation as we’ll ever receive. As this 5-disc set proves, there will never be a definitive version (and you are free to assemble your own — from the outtakes and alternate versions on these discs; from Brian Wilson’s solo effort at the album several years ago; from “Smiley Smile,” the album released instead, back in 1967, made up of tracks from these sessions; and from various Beach Boys albums in all those intervening years, on which several of the songs, “Surf’s Up” most significantly, appeared.

I’m glad to have this disc, and I’m not alone.  “Surf’s Up,” “Cabin Essence,” “Heroes and Villains” and “Good Vibrations” are brilliant pop music, each thrilling and unique. I’m glad to have the music — and I’m hoping that what’s left of the Beach Boys can leave it at that. There’s a rumored “reunion” tour in the works, as though a tour without the late Carl Wilson, whose beautiful choir boy voice led most of these best songs, would actually be in some sense the Beach Boys.  I’ve barely recovered from the last time I saw just Brian play live (and I’m still trying to forget it); attempting to recreate the Beach Boys without Carl would be adding insult to injury. Instead, I’d rather stay focused on this wonderful new release, and plumbing all enjoyment I’m sure it’s going to deliver me.

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