All right, I’ll admit it: I’m a latecomer to Brian Wilson’s music. Sure, I had heard smatterings of songs as I listened to oldies stations, and every once in a while I’d stop and listen to a Beach Boys tribute band at country fairs, but it was only recently that I actually looked into it seriously. I bought Pet Sounds because everyone talked about it being the greatest rock and roll album ever; and I was blown away. The arrangements of voice and instrument induce almost a musical nirvana. I knew before I was halfway into the album: this was pop perfection.

When Brian Wilson turned 60 this year, Silent Planet Records had the perfect gift: Making God Smile, a tribute CD from a number of Christian artists – including Phil Keaggy, Jason Harrod, Brooks Williams, Randy Stonehill, Sixpence None the Richer, and Kevin Max. The title “is both a nod to the legendary and unreleased Smile recording and a recognition that music serves a higher purpose, a healing purpose, as Brian has so often said,” Steve West, president of Silent Planet Records, writes in the liner notes.

Phil Keaggy, known for his 60s-influenced albums, gives us “Good Vibrations,” coming quite close to the original. He plays all the instruments, with the exception of drums, and sings most of the vocal parts – proving his musical prowess yet again.

The magic continues: Sixpence None the Richer joins in with “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times,” blending their folk-pop talents seamlessly into a Brian Wilson-style arrangement. Aaron Sprinkle’s funky piano brings us a fusion of “I Know There’s An Answer” and “Hang On To Your Ego,” while Jason Harrod captures all the vocal bliss of “In My Room.” Kate Campbell remixes “Add Some Music To Your Day” with a country twang, and Derrick Harris brings a rougher, Americana feel to “Don’t Worry Baby.” Terry Scott Taylor’s version of “Vegetables,” a hilarious but lesser-known Beach Boys track, is simple but uses quirky harmonies and sound effects to emphasize the equally quirky lyrics: “I’m gonna be round my vegetables / I’m gonna chow down my vegetables / I love you most of all / My favorite vegetable.”

Most of the tracks are fairly close to the original songs; the album isn’t an attempt to turn Brian’s music into something it was never meant to be. The most daring is a rendition of “Help Me Rhonda” by Kevin Max and Jimmy A. Imagine Kevin Max’s distinctive vibrato over a U2-influenced rock beat, and you’ll come close; but it wasn’t meant to be imagined. You simply have to hear it.

The album is a wonderful look at the following Brian Wilson has generated. Whether you’re a long-time fan, or simply looking for new music, you’ll find the musical joy you crave. And when you’ve listened to it, don’t forget to play Pet Sounds; because when all is said and done, there’s nothing like the original.