I love Pet Sounds, but the Beach Boys were really a singles band and their crowning acheivements were 'Don't Worry Baby' and 'I Get Around.'

I almost agree, jonmc, but I'd replace 'I Get Around' with 'Help Me Rhonda.'

I would put "surfer girl" and/or "in my room" on that list too.

They were a singles band until Pet Sounds, which is a proper album, but that was because of the recording industry. Of course, after Smile, The Beach Boys never had a chance to make another "album" after that since Brian went to bed and Mike Love couldn't find talent if someone was smacking him in the head with it.

And thanks BP for the link.

What is the most overrated track on the Pet Sounds album? Why?
That's a tough one. I'm tempted to say "God Only Knows,
(from interview)

Right on, I think. It's all because of that quote from McCartney, but really i think its the 7th or 8th best song on the record. It's amazing what one quote from the right source can do for a song's reputation (see Sintara on the Beatles's "something")

Very true, drjimmy. For my money the BEST (i.e., has gotten me choked up listening to it) song from Pet Sounds is "You Still Believe In Me." And, while I'd have thought it was impossible to do a good cover version of a Pet Sounds song, Kirsty MacColl pulled it off beautifully.