Democracy Dies in Darkness

Does the world finally have enough ‘Pet Sounds’ rereleases?

On the 60th anniversary of the Beach Boys’ masterpiece, yet another new reissue. Did they finally get it right this time?

An illustration showing multiple copies of The Beach Boys album "Pet Sounds"
(The Washington Post illustration; Capitol Records; Katty Huertas)

Five years ago, Los Angeles record store owner Gary Johnson noticed that an obscure, largely unsuccessful Beach Boys album, “Carl and the Passions, So Tough” was enjoying an unlikely price surge.

When originally released in 1972, “So Tough” didn’t even crack the top 40. But suddenly Johnson noticed that used copies were going for $100. With a little research, he figured out why: It was the bonus record released with it, a reissue of the 1966 classic “Pet Sounds,” that all the fans wanted.