The “genius“ 1960s album that peaked at 10 in the US. But John Lennon and Paul McCartney both agreed was “greatest album ever made”

The Beach Boys’ 1966 album *Pet Sounds* peaked at number 10 in the US, yet it had a profound influence on the Beatles’ music. Paul McCartney praised its arrangements and emotional power, while John Lennon reportedly called it the greatest album ever made, and producer George Martin said *Sgt Pepper* was an attempt to match it.

The article presents Brian Wilson’s work as a landmark of pop music and credits it with helping inspire the Beatles’ studio experimentation. It notes that *Pet Sounds* later sold around 29 million copies, nearly 10 million fewer than *Sgt Pepper*, and quotes Martin calling Wilson a living genius of pop music.