The album is a significant musical departure for the band and is the first to feature the Flames ' Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar as additions to their official line-up. It sold poorly and was met with lukewarm reviews, but later gained stature as a cult favorite among fans.
The album peaked at number 50 in the U. Initial American pressings of the album included the band's release Pet Sounds as a bonus record. Band member Bruce Johnston left the group during the album's recording. In , an expanded version of the album was packaged within the compilation Sail On Sailor — Impressed by what he saw, he later invited the group to the United States to sign with the Beach Boys' record label, Brother Records.
Carl now suggests that fresh blood is needed to invigorate The Beach Boys, both musically and personally. In truth, the group is barely holding together. They travel to and from every concert separately: Carl and Dennis in one car with some of the musicians; Mike [Love] and Al [Jardine] in their vehicle. At some shows, members are seen arriving on stage from different entrances, just to avoid being with each other. It seems that only their music and business interests are keeping them together.
On February 29, , the group held a press conference in London, where they announced the new additions in their line-up, as well as the imminent release of the album Smile , which had been shelved since Sessions for the Beach Boys' third Reprise album lasted from December 4, to April 13, , and were held largely at the band's private studio. Somebody would be cutting a track over at Village Recorders and somebody else would be recording at Sunset [ Perhaps that's why it sounds so bad.
During this time, Brian Wilson , who had reduced his contributions to the group, was largely preoccupied with hanging out with Tandyn Almer. But most of the time he was up in his bedroom while we were working downstairs. The recordings were very spontaneous. When Carl writes now, he has that Brianesque feel. Basically it underscores the teachings of Jesus and Krishna and the Maharishi.
