I just dashed away for a lunch-hour purchase. I bought two copies. Even the packaging is a thing of beauty and wonder. Can this be happening?

I’m not sure the world deserves something this good. I’m pretty sure I don’t. But here it is, and I’m listening to it as I type: “Cabinessence,” with the rougher-voiced 2004 Brian, and it’s just astonishing. He’s got every bit of what he had, and more–because now the whole thing is more precious to him and to us than it could have been in 1967. It doesn’t matter that his vocals are rougher. They’re still supple and expressive, and on some tracks (some–not all) they actually suit the music better than they did in 1967. Best of all, they’re fully committed performances. Brian has once again let this music matter to him. That’s an act of bravery that takes my breath away.

Thank God this has happened at last.