> Pet Sounds revolutionized the field of music production and the role of producers within the music industry, introduced novel approaches to orchestration, chord voicings, and structural harmonies, and furthered the cultural legitimization of popular music, a greater public appreciation for albums, the use of recording studios as an instrument, and the development of psychedelic music and progressive/art rock ...
Then why not study those aspects of the album? It seems like those are historical and technical innovations, not esthetic or preferential. They are saying "look at all the ways this album changed the world." The author's strategy instead was to listen to other Beach Boys albums, then listen to Pet Sounds again, and expect to have an epiphany. I think that's a hopeless strategy, and probably misses the point anyway.