10 Classic Rock Albums That Changed Music Forever

For the entire front half of the 60's, the Beach Boys were known as the fun loving surfer dudes whose songs were the epitome of California sunshine. The band had been writing great pop songs, but they never seemed to be on the cusp of artistic greatness until they unleashed Pet Sounds.

With songwriter Brian Wilson having free reign over the sessions, he hunkered down to make another collection of great pop tunes. After hearing the Beatles' Rubber Soul album, Wilson entered the studio with a new goal in mind: to make Pet Sounds a good enough album to rival the Fab Four's output. Thanks to the gorgeous performances from session band the Wrecking Crew, Wilson put together some of the most beautiful arrangements the pop world had ever heard. The Beach Boys' trademark harmonies were still firmly in place, but the tone of the music seemed to be much different. Instead of being innocent songs about teenage romance, these tracks were some of the greatest sonic dives into the true meaning behind love.

The album hit a nerve with audiences and has remained untouched in the music industry for its brilliant sonic presence, whose influence is still being heard in everyone from Weezer to Radiohead.