10 Classic Bands Who Only Had One Classic Album

From the moment that they started their lush vocal harmonies, the Beach Boys always seemed to be destined for a singles act. While their odes to cars, girls, and surfing were definitely fun in the early part of the ‘60s, there was no real reason to think that the band would be treated as anything more than a novelty act. Then Brian Wilson got the idea of a lifetime…

Aiming to compete with the Beatles’ album-centric productions, Wilson went into the studio and crafted Pet Sounds, which ended up becoming one of the most celebrated albums in rock history. Though the sound was still what you’d expect from these California surfers, the added touch of instrumentation made everything blossom out even more. Even the single from the sessions, “Good Vibrations,” is known as one of the greatest songs in the entire rock canon.

This is one of the best albums in rock, but it did take its toll on its creator, with Wilson going into a depression and suffering a mental breakdown as a result. The band would eventually try to venture further into psychedelic territory, but the results ended up being much more lackluster than people wanted to hear. The Beach Boys may still be able to deliver their big hits when summer comes around, but when it comes to their true artistry, Pet Sounds stands alone.