Best Ever Albums

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

SleepDealer — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 03:50:24 GMT

Author: SleepDealer

Posted: 08/15/2017 07:50

I prefer the Beach Boys. Although I never really loved Pet Sounds and found most of their discography pretty inconsistent, it has been much more rewarding to discover so many great tracks that don't appear on the usual 'best of' compilations that are inevitably driven by their early commercial singles.

I like the Beatles too, and probably prefer them as an albums band just about, but find them to be less interesting than the late 60s Beach Boys and Byrds.

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

RoundTheBend — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 19:30:26 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 08/14/2017 23:30

Beach Boys: yes they had more than one great album. yes their best of album incorporating their early hits is likely just as good as the early years of the Beatles.

Beatles: Their early years albums seem to be more interesting. I can actually make it through without cringing on most of those albums. Beach Boys have far more cringe worthy material overall. As stated before, their bubble-gum pop is more or less comparable up until the Rubber Soul days. Perhaps just a notch higher for the Beatles.

Alas my own opinion probably is getting in the way of the overall score I gave them. Probably deserve another album or two review on the Beach Boys side of things.

Beach Boys Average: 78.6
Title Band Year Year Rank Rating
The Smile Sessions The Beach Boys 2011 3 90.5
Pet Sounds The Beach Boys 1966 3 90
Smile The Beach Boys/Brian Wilson 2004 4 88.2
Smiley Smile The Beach Boys 1967 7 85
Surf's Up The Beach Boys 1971 18 75.5
Today! The Beach Boys 1965 12 70
Wild Honey The Beach Boys 1967 27 65
Friends The Beach Boys 1968 36 65

Beatles average: 88
Title Band Year Year Rank Rating
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band The Beatles 1967 1 100
Abbey Road The Beatles 1969 1 100
Revolver The Beatles 1966 2 95
Magical Mystery Tour The Beatles 1967 4 95
With The Beatles The Beatles 1963 2 90
Rubber Soul The Beatles 1965 1 90
Let It Be The Beatles 1970 7 90
The Beatles (The White Album) The Beatles 1968 2 90
Beatles For Sale The Beatles 1964 2 85
Help! The Beatles 1965 4 85
Please Please Me The Beatles 1963 4 80
A Hard Day's Night The Beatles 1964 4 80
Yellow Submarine The Beatles 1969 54 65

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 11:31:18 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/12/2017 15:31

bobbyb5 wrote:

There's also the tendency of music fans to mythologize musicians who had mental health or drug problems, as if these things were the source of their talent.

Well, who knows about mental health (or at least latent mental health) and music ? the first Pink Floyd album is kind of mad, and Pet Sounds is just out of this world. But one thing is sure. Acid just ruined their career. What amazing albums we could have had from Barrett (but then perhaps no Dark side of the Moon...that's a ccomplicated thing this Pink Floyd band...) or from Wilson, had they not burned their wonderful brains with acid...

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 09:05:50 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/12/2017 13:05

DJTommy wrote:

Daydreamer wrote:

I agree. Help! was a great album and the gap between that album and Beatles For Sale is so much bigger than between Help! and Rubber Soul.

On the whole Beatles vs Beach Boys. I like Beach Boys but I love The Beatles.

To add to discussion: I think The Beatles' early stuff is too often underrated because it's not "serious" enough and other bullshit. I see the same being said about great tracks like "Yellow Submarine" from later in their career. Even fantastic stuff like "Within You Without You" is often looked down upon because it doesn't "sound right". Talking about their early stuff, A Hard Day's Night is really underrated and a fantastic collection of tracks. Beatles for Sale, though easily one of their weakest albums, deserves much more credit than it gets in the band's evolution. People say that Help! or Rubber Soul was when their sound changed, but it was really with Beatles for Sale. That was the album where they started going for a folkier and somewhat darker sound. Some people dismiss their early music as generic boyband music and that it was first with Rubber Soul that they became good (something they've been their hold career IMO). These people annoy me a bit.

�'� Yeah, I definitely agree with the above. I didn't investigate the earlier albums of both these bands for many years as I presumed they would not be up to some sort of artistic standard I had in mind. I was totally missing out though! I'm glad both groups developed in the way they did as nearly all bands need to make changes to keep being interesting. But I don't think the later albums are better than the earlier ones in every way. For both bands, as they became more artistically interesting, some of the freshness, warmth and energy of the earlier albums was lost. Being serious isn't everything when it comes to music!

Also, I agree that "Yellow Submarine" and "Within You, without you" are key tracks on their respective albums.

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 08:01:54 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/12/2017 12:01

Daydreamer wrote:

Michael1981 wrote:

Gowi wrote:

Don’t exactly agree with this. I may be biased especially here, but I’ve always thought 20/20, Today!, and Summer Days (and Summer Nights) were some of their exceptional albeit non-experimental works. Of course nothing tops Surf’s Up, Friends, Smiley Smile, Pet Sounds, etc. in terms of songwriting depth I’d say writing off the aforementioned albums is a pretty unwise choice.

The Beach Boys have plenty of depth.

Yeah, I guess I love a lot of the more straightforward pop stuff from both bands. For me, the argument that things really kicked off with Rubber Soul and Pet Sounds is a bit overplayed. I really love those earlier albums as well and they are more consistent than they are often given credit for. After the more experimental stuff, I think both bands really needed to get back to basics, so I don't see the late 60s Beach Boys output as a step-back in the same way as a lot of people. In the case of he Beatles, I think I would have loved the Let it Be album had it worked out, but I don't think the Beatles could really function as a band at this point so the result is a bit of a mess.

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Daydreamer — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 05:47:32 GMT

Author: Daydreamer

Posted: 08/12/2017 09:47

Michael1981 wrote:

Gowi wrote:

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 04:33:56 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/12/2017 08:33

Gowi wrote:

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

glynspsa — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 04:25:52 GMT

Author: glynspsa

Posted: 08/12/2017 08:25

Sorry but pet sounds is in no way. Enter than sgt peppers hell Brian Wilson doesn't even think so.

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 03:52:43 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/12/2017 07:52

StreetSpirit wrote:

The Beatles probably have an overall better body of work, but Pet Sounds is better than every Beatles album.

My thoughts exactly

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

CA Dreamin — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 02:28:31 GMT

Author: CA Dreamin

Posted: 08/12/2017 06:28

The Beatles probably have an overall better body of work, but Pet Sounds is better than every Beatles album.

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

mickilennial — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 22:11:09 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 08/12/2017 02:11

DJTommy wrote:

Unless you're talking about their early stuff, The Beach Boys' best work is often more sad and melancholic than happy. Pet Sounds (by far their most famous album) isn't exactly very happy, maybe outside of "Sloop John B". But yeah, The Beatles do have more variety, both in styles and moods. But I can't agree on that you have to be in a happy mood when listening to The Beach Boys.

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

JOSweetHeart — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 21:38:12 GMT

Author: JOSweetHeart

Posted: 08/12/2017 01:38

I like songs from both, so I couldn't pick a favorite.

God bless you and them always!!!

Holly

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 21:12:04 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/12/2017 01:12

Words wrote:

Personally, the Beatles. I love both of them but I feel like I need to be in a happy mood for the Boys of Beaches and I can be in any mood for the Beatles.

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Repo — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 21:06:32 GMT

Author: Repo

Posted: 08/12/2017 01:06

Gowi wrote:

I don’t gauge quality of preference based on if someone had more popular success or “iconic” status. The Beach Boys have made more records that are worth listening to, so unsurprisingly y’all know where my vote went to.

Yeah. I hear ya. I just think The Beatle have more full on 5 star albums whereas The Beach Boys have only two imo (Today & Pet Sounds) and then a bunch of 4 star albums such as Wild Honey, Friends, Sunflower, etc). I don't know. Don't really feel strongly about. I love 'em both and really don't care who's considered the "best".

Bottom line: they both have a ton of awesome albums!!! Life's good! Lol

More importantly, great to see you active again. CHECK Out MY MUSIC DIARY! That's sth I do give a shit about. Lol. Would love to hear your thoughts & get some cool recs. Peace, brother!

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 20:41:53 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/12/2017 00:41

Personally, the Beatles. I love both of them but I feel like I need to be in a happy mood for the Boys of Beaches and I can be in any mood for the Beatles.

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Fischman — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 20:40:26 GMT

Author: Fischman

Posted: 08/12/2017 00:40

Minority report here:
I can generally pass on either.

For mid to late 60s, gimme' some Who, some Stones, and especially a lotta' Kinks.

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

mickilennial — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 19:48:09 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 08/11/2017 23:48

Tilly wrote:

Easily The Beatles. And I worship The Beach Boys. Revolver's just as good as Pet Sounds. Besides Pet Sounds, the Beach Boys did not make any other iconic albums whereas The Beatles made a whole bunch.

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 18:27:49 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/11/2017 22:27

Michael1981 wrote:

I have to back Tommy up on this one!!! The Beatles never made anything as beautiful as Pet Sounds. In terms of arrangements, melody and harmony, Brian always had the edge on the Beatles. Even though Smile was a no show the Beach Boys still outdid the the Beatles on their psychedelic output: on Smiley Smile and the off-shoots from Smile on later albums. Their 'back to basics' albums (Wild Honey; Friends; Sunflower) were also great an easily rivalled the Beatles late 60s output.

Don't get me wrong-I love the Beatles and they had a bit more pure rock n roll energy than the Beach Boys, but I've got to go with Brian's pure pop genius on this one. Franz Liszt a close third.

Think we may be fighting a losing battle though Tommy 8-[

Good to see someone else who shares the same view. And I totally get what people say about The Beatles having more classic albums, but to me, The Beach Boys at their best beats The Beatles at their best.

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 18:17:59 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/11/2017 22:17

I have to back Tommy up on this one!!! The Beatles never made anything as beautiful as Pet Sounds. In terms of arrangements, melody and harmony, Brian always had the edge on the Beatles. Even though Smile was a no show the Beach Boys still outdid the the Beatles on their psychedelic output: on Smiley Smile and the off-shoots from Smile on later albums. Their 'back to basics' albums (Wild Honey; Friends; Sunflower) were also great an easily rivalled the Beatles late 60s output.

Don't get me wrong-I love the Beatles and they had a bit more pure rock n roll energy than the Beach Boys, but I've got to go with Brian's pure pop genius on this one. Franz Liszt a close third.

Think we may be fighting a losing battle though Tommy 😨

Re: Which is better: The Beach Boys or The Beatles?

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 18:15:10 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/11/2017 22:15

bobbyb5 wrote:

DJTommy wrote:

I personally prefer The Beach Boys to The Beatles. I think that what the group did on Pet Sounds beats any album The Beatles ever put out. And I also think it's just as influential. Revolver put pop/rock in all sorts of new directions and was also a milestone in music production (the latter you can give George Martin the credit for), but Pet Sounds really paved the way for what pop/rock could be and can be called the first art pop/rock album. I do love both band, but I prefer Pet Sounds to all of The Beatles discography because it's just more beautiful and, what should I say? Magical? I just feel allot more listening to Pet Sounds than The Beatles can ever make me feel. The arrangements with the harmonies and the orchestration and all that is just unmatched by The Beatles. I can't think of a Beatles song that is more beautiful than The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows". Maybe "Strawberry Fields Forever" might be up there in beautiful arrangements, but it doesn't have the same emotion.

But there's one major problem: This magic didn't last long. Mostly because Brian Wilson had everyone against him: The rest of the band, the management etc. And he also started suffering from mental problems. Not to say that they didn't put out good music after Pet Sounds, because they did. But I believe that if they had at least put out Smile in 1967, their legacy would have been different. The Smile Sessions, which was released in 2011 is absolutely amazing! And their early discography has some catchy songs, but is hard to take very seriously as a great work of art. The Beatles just have a steadier discography and is for that reason held in higher regard.

Now you might come with the argument that The Beatles' Rubber Soul influenced The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, but I think that all music must have been inspired by something, and The Beach Boys really took that inspiration an turned it into their own original thing. One must remember that The Beatles also had their inspirations, like Bob Dylan on Rubber Soul (the album that inspired Pet Sounds) and The Beach Boys themselves on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

TL;DR: Though both are about equaIly as important, I think The Beach Boys' music and arrangements are better and more beautiful, but The Beatles discography is steadier and because of that they're held in higher regard.

So what do you think? If you have any good arguments please post them below.

I love The Beach Boys, but there's so much mythology surrounding them now. like the idea you mentioned that they stopped being good because everyone was against Brian Wilson and he was just prevented from being great by all these other bad people who were supposedly intent on blocking his talent. Well, he got rid of all these supposed adversaries, but he didn't suddenly return to making great music. the truth is, like everyone else, your creativity just tends to dry up after a decade or so. this is pretty much the rule in pop music. very few people are making the same quality of music 10 years after their breakthrough. There's also the tendency of music fans to mythologize musicians who had mental health or drug problems, as if these things were the source of their talent. Rock stars who had drug or mental health issues or died very young are always given lots and lots of bonus points.

Trust me when I say that I don't love Brian so much because of his mental problems. I think he's one of the best arrangers and producers of all time. His issues don't really add or take away from the beauty of his work IMO. If anything it's just sad that it struck him at his peak of creativity. And I don't think he stopped making good music after Pet Sounds either, and of course he wouldn't be making music on par with that album for many years, but listening to the Smile sessions it really sounds like they were cooking up something really good, and maybe a bit more support towards Brian would have helped him finish it.