Reading Smile: History, Myth and American Identity in Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks' Long-Lost Album

The album Smile by Brian Wilson, which was finished in 2004 after being first imagined in 1966, is considered to be the most well-known unreleased album in the history of pop music. It is examined in the book Reading Smile in its social, cultural, and historical settings, with a particular emphasis on the finished works' subject matter, which is represented in Van Dyke Parks' lyrics. It contends that their references to national self-definition are a part of a deliberate vision of American identity, society, and culture that is both in tune with and at odds with the times.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

First conceived in 1966, but only completed in 2004, Brian Wilson Presents Smile has been hailed as the most renowned unreleased album in the history of pop music, often likened to the iconic American masterpiece, Sergeant Pepper. Delving into the album's rich tapestry, Reading Smile provides a comprehensive analysis of its recording, encompassing its social, cultural, and historical contexts. With a particular focus on the enigmatic lyrics penned by Van Dyke Parks, known for their low-resolution, highly allusive representations of western expansions' archetypes, from Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts, to Diamond Head, Hawaii, the book explores the intricate themes and motifs woven into these lyrics. Through meticulous documentation of their multiple references and connotations, the book argues that these invocations of national self-definition are integral to a carefully crafted vision of American identity, society, and culture, both in harmony with and at odds with the prevailing times. While critically examining the republic's past practices, Reading Smile remains firmly convinced that the republic's ideals, values, and myths still hold the potential for redemption. Thus, the album is interpreted as a creative musical milestone, an enduring product of its volatile, radical, countercultural era, and a quintessential American pop art classic.

With particular relevance to scholars of American Studies and popular culture, Reading Smile will also captivate those with an interest in 1960s popular music, particularly fans of Brian Wilson, Van Dyke Parks, and the Beach Boys.

Weight: 331g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367622879