Hidden masterpiece: "Trader" by the Beach Boys

How do I begin to describe one of my straight up and down favorite tracks of all time? "Trader" (sung by Carl Wilson) is on a proto-Animal Collective tip...seemingly years ahead of it's time with it's use of harmonizing backing vocals, cryptic lyricism, and lush, multilayered production. I'm sure you'll agree that this just sounds so unlike anything else in their catalog. The Beach Boys ain't all about "Surfin' USA," "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and the other bubblegum melodies we (regrettably) associate them with. If you pare away the disposable pop, you'll see that their underlying aesthetic reflected something much deeper (and in some ways darker) than what people perceive.

Watch for the thematic shift at around 2:21. This has got to be one of the most beautiful, arresting, and sublime moments in music. To me, at least...

Making it softly
Like the evening sea, trying to be
Making it go
Creating it gently
Like a morning breeze, a life of ease
Eyes that see
Beyond tomorrow, through to the time without hours
Passing the Eden of Flowers
Reason to live.

Embracing together
Like the merging streams, crying dreams
Making it full
Begging intently
For a slight reprieve, a night of ease
Hands to touch
Beyond the sorrow, on to the force without power
Piercing the crust of the tower
Reason to live.

Hoping
Like a budding rose, humbling shows
Making it.
Struggling lonely
Like a desert field, break the seal, make it real
Ears to hear
Beyond the showers, on to the suns of tomorrows
Burning the flesh of all sorrows
Reason to live.
Reason to continue
Reason to go on
Reason to live
Reason to live
Reason to live

Told you so...