Biggest Debate in Rock N Roll History ?

[Newguy562]

The biggest debate in Rock n Roll history is  ..Who's the best Beatles or Rolling Stones?
Well for me that's like picking your father or mother but out of these albums which do you prefer?


Rubber Soul vs. Aftermath
Revolver vs. Between the Buttons
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band vs. Their Satanic Majesties Request
Magical Mystery Tour vs. Beggars Banquet
White Album vs. Let it Bleed
Abbey Road vs. Sticky Fingers
Let It Be vs. Exile on Main St.

[JohnMill]

For me the debate has always been Who's the best Beatles or Beach Boys.  For me it's a more compelling debate because with all due respect to The Rolling Stones, it was The Beach Boys as stated by Sir George Martin that provided The Beatles with their greatest musical challenge.  For me The Beatles/Stones debate isn't even much of a debate, Stones had their moments but it's pretty much a clean sweep by The Beatles. 

[Newguy562]

For me the debate has always been Who's the best Beatles or Beach Boys.  For me it's a more compelling debate because with all due respect to The Rolling Stones, it was The Beach Boys as stated by Sir George Martin that provided The Beatles with their greatest musical challenge.  For me The Beatles/Stones debate isn't even much of a debate, Stones had their moments but it's pretty much a clean sweep by The Beatles. 

Yes that's true to beach boys pushed them to their musical pinnacle....thanks to Brian Wilson..but besides Today/Pet Sounds/Smile none of their albums could even be mentioned in the same sentence as the Beatles masterpieces..
Now the Stones have a bit more albums that could be.

[JohnMill]

For me the debate has always been Who's the best Beatles or Beach Boys.  For me it's a more compelling debate because with all due respect to The Rolling Stones, it was The Beach Boys as stated by Sir George Martin that provided The Beatles with their greatest musical challenge.  For me The Beatles/Stones debate isn't even much of a debate, Stones had their moments but it's pretty much a clean sweep by The Beatles. 

Yes that's true to beach boys pushed them to their musical pinnacle....thanks to Brian Wilson..but besides Today/Pet Sounds/Smile none of their albums could even be mentioned in the same sentence as the Beatles masterpieces..
Now the Stones have a bit more albums that could be.

Possibly not sure if that is true or just subjective opinion.  But then again I'm not much for The Rolling Stones anyhow.  One thing to consider about The Beach Boys subjectively speaking they may just have the greatest album of all time and the greatest single of all time in their trophy case.  So for me that more than makes them the creative equal of The Beatles.  Something in fact that I've been meaning to do for awhile and keeping putting it off is make a "mix cd" (I don't do mp3) of all The Beatles hits and pair them back to back with The Beach Boys hits from that same era.  I want to hear how some of those songs flow into each other, I think it would make for an interesting listen.

[Newguy562]

For me the debate has always been Who's the best Beatles or Beach Boys.  For me it's a more compelling debate because with all due respect to The Rolling Stones, it was The Beach Boys as stated by Sir George Martin that provided The Beatles with their greatest musical challenge.  For me The Beatles/Stones debate isn't even much of a debate, Stones had their moments but it's pretty much a clean sweep by The Beatles. 

Yes that's true to beach boys pushed them to their musical pinnacle....thanks to Brian Wilson..but besides Today/Pet Sounds/Smile none of their albums could even be mentioned in the same sentence as the Beatles masterpieces..
Now the Stones have a bit more albums that could be.

Possibly not sure if that is true or just subjective opinion.  But then again I'm not much for The Rolling Stones anyhow.  One thing to consider about The Beach Boys subjectively speaking they may just have the greatest album of all time and the greatest single of all time in their trophy case.  So for me that more than makes them the creative equal of The Beatles.  Something in fact that I've been meaning to do for awhile and keeping putting it off is make a "mix cd" (I don't do mp3) of all The Beatles hits and pair them back to back with The Beach Boys hits from that same era.  I want to hear how some of those songs flow into each other, I think it would make for an interesting listen.

that would be an interesting listen you should do it..matter of fact i might have to take your idea and see what i can come up with lol
and well might? honestly pet sounds is the greatest album of all time..tell me an album that SOUNDS better..lol

[rn57]

I'd break it down this way in album terms:
Beatles masterworks:
Hard Day's Night (in its UK version), Help (same), Rubber Soul (either US or UK), Revolver (same), White Album (I ain't no Pepper fan): 5
Stones masterworks:
Aftermath (US or UK versions), Between The Buttons, Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main St: 6
Beach Boys masterworks:
Today, Pet Sounds, Smile (sessions), Wild Honey, Friends, Sunflower: 6

And after FTTBA and PCH, who knows but that Brian could make it 7 before long?

[Newguy562]

I'd break it down this way in album terms:
Beatles masterworks:
Hard Day's Night (in its UK version), Help (same), Rubber Soul (either US or UK), Revolver (same), White Album (I ain't no Pepper fan): 5
Stones masterworks:
Aftermath (US or UK versions), Between The Buttons, Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main St: 6
Beach Boys masterworks:
Today, Pet Sounds, Smile (sessions), Wild Honey, Friends, Sunflower: 6

And after FTTBA and PCH, who knows but that Brian could make it 7 before long?

ok I like this

Beatles masterworks:
Hard Day's Night (Uk), Help (Uk), Rubber Soul (Uk), Relvolver (Uk),Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band , Magical Mystery Tour, White Album, Abbey Road : 8

Rolling Stones masterworks:
Aftermath (Uk & Us) Their Satanic Majesties Request, Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St, Goats Head Soup: 7

Beach boys masterworks:
Today, Pet Sounds, Smile: 3
I love Wild Honey and Smiley Smile but referring to them as masterworks is pretty funny 

[rn57]

Well, I meant Smile Sessions, not Smiley Smile. As an overall concept SS is very erratic - and how could it be otherwise? But WH and Friends are really well put together, track for track.

And when I refer to albums I mean ones that were programmed as such - in the case of the early Stones and Beatles LPs, by the bands themselves in England or by A&R people in the States.  And the American albums would have to have a substantial amount in common with their UK equivalents.  There was no Magical Mystery Tour album in the UK - it was a double EP there, which was issued here on a 12" along with some singles. And the double EP was still padded - "Flying," anyone? (Well, yes, Today has "Our Favorite Recording Sessions." But other than that its sequencing is pretty carefully thought out.)

The Stones's Satanic Majesties is a great personal fave of mine - I listen to it more often than any of their other records - but there's no denying that it's got two or three sloppy, highly self-indulgent tracks.

[Newguy562]

Well, I meant Smile Sessions, not Smiley Smile. As an overall concept SS is very erratic - and how could it be otherwise? But WH and Friends are really well put together, track for track.

And when I refer to albums I mean ones that were programmed as such - in the case of the early Stones and Beatles LPs, by the bands themselves in England or by A&R people in the States.  And the American albums would have to have a substantial amount in common with their UK equivalents.  There was no Magical Mystery Tour album in the UK - it was a double EP there, which was issued here on a 12" along with some singles. And the double EP was still padded - "Flying," anyone? (Well, yes, Today has "Our Favorite Recording Sessions." But other than that its sequencing is pretty carefully thought out.)

The Stones's Satanic Majesties is a great personal fave of mine - I listen to it more often than any of their other records - but there's no denying that it's got two or three sloppy, highly self-indulgent tracks.

That's no fair flying = our favorite recording sessions..so that's dismissed...magical mystery tour in the u.s. is what i meant the us version of rubber soul is :/ well it's great but it's missing "nowhere man" and "if i needed someone" those are 2 of my favorite songs from that album ..i just wish they took out "what goes on" & "run for your life"...
"Rubber Soul was deliberately reconfigured to appear a "folk rock" album to angle The Beatles into that emergent lucrative American genre during 1965."
so it only makes sense why they added "it's only love" & "i've just seen a face"

[rn57]

The Us Rubber Soul is superbly selected and sequenced. One time when the A&R guys got it right. As pretty much everybody on this board could recite in their sleep, that record and not the UK version, was what made Brian decide to go to work on Pet Sounds to keep up.

[Newguy562]

The Us Rubber Soul is superbly selected and sequenced. One time when the A&R guys got it right. As pretty much everybody on this board could recite in their sleep, that record and not the UK version, was what made Brian decide to go to work on Pet Sounds to keep up.

i prefer the uk version and definitely the uk version of help is superior to the crappy us version lol

[Lonely Summer]

Beatles vs Rolling Stones? No contest. Beatles had the melodies, the harmonies, the....EVERYTHING! Beatles vs Beach Boys is much more interesting. After 1970, though, what do we do, compare BB's albums from the 70's with solo Beatles? I have to think that even if the Fab Four had stayed together, they would have eventually put out a clunker album. Every band does if they stay together long enough.

[MyGlove]

Ha. This thread makes me laugh. Newguy, please follow my good friend George Harrison's advice, and think for yourself. Honestly, I mean how much of the music you listen to is not because you read on some internet list that it's a "masterpiece" or "one of the greatest things ever"? You just hang around this board with a huge arrogant persona about what's great and what isn't, and it's not even your own opinion.

[Newguy562]

Ha. This thread makes me laugh. Newguy, please follow my good friend George Harrison's advice, and think for yourself. Honestly, I mean how much of the music you listen to is not because you read on some internet list that it's a "masterpiece" or "one of the greatest things ever"? You just hang around this board with a huge arrogant persona about what's great and what isn't, and it's not even your own opinion.

not even my own opinion? wtf i just named the albums i listen to the most..you have some nerve telling me what is or isn't my own opinion  lol YOU BIG OLE' MEANY! 

[MyGlove]

But anyway, I'll say the Beatles. The Rolling Stones are right behind though. And i'm not trying to be mean. Sorry if i came across that way. I'm just saying you don't have to argue with people just cuz they are answering your question in a different way than you think. You raise some very interesting questions on the board most of which catch my interest at least. Sorry i probably should've reacted a little better.

[Newguy562]

But anyway, I'll say the Beatles. The Rolling Stones are right behind though. And i'm not trying to be mean. Sorry if i came across that way. I'm just saying you don't have to argue with people just cuz they are answering your question in a different way than you think. You raise some very interesting questions on the board most of which catch my interest at least. Sorry i probably should've reacted a little better.

yes sometimes it does seem like I do attack some of you guys but I'm really not ..I have to work on that because I don't want to come across as being rude..
Who's music do you enjoy most of all the Beatles or Beach Boys?

[MyGlove]

The Beach Boys for sure. But that's kind of weighing their first like 27 albums up against the Beatles only 10. That's a lot of the reason i like the Beach Boys so much, is cuz they have a consistent discography from the beginning to almost the end and its huge. The Beatles actually were my favorite for awhile, but i think i actually got sick of them because of people constantly putting them up on a high pedastal and seeing a bunch of other bands who were just as great or greater kinda being crapped on by people. I can't really deny how big, or influential, or talented, or good they were. But listening to them anymore i kinda feel like i'm doing it because they are the biggest band ever and i should be listening to them. Not cuz i want to. But as far as the original question goes, I'd still say the Beatles just because if I said the Rolling Stones, i'd be doing it out of spite for the Beatles and I'd also probably be wrong. But again man, i'm sorry about the outburst. That was a sh*tty thing to say to someone i don't even know.

[Newguy562]

The Beach Boys for sure. But that's kind of weighing their first like 27 albums up against the Beatles only 10. That's a lot of the reason i like the Beach Boys so much, is cuz they have a consistent discography from the beginning to almost the end and its huge. The Beatles actually were my favorite for awhile, but i think i actually got sick of them because of people constantly putting them up on a high pedastal and seeing a bunch of other bands who were just as great or greater kinda being crapped on by people. I can't really deny how big, or influential, or talented, or good they were. But listening to them anymore i kinda feel like i'm doing it because they are the biggest band ever and i should be listening to them. Not cuz i want to. But as far as the original question goes, I'd still say the Beatles just because if I said the Rolling Stones, i'd be doing it out of spite for the Beatles and I'd also probably be wrong. But again man, i'm sorry about the outburst. That was a sh*tty thing to say to someone i don't even know.

I remember I used to listen to the Beatles because of my mom and her infatuation with them,even my aunts made my cousins listen to them because when they were so obsessed so it's like a family thing. So I tired to not listen to them just because I wanted to rebel against it...but when I heard the music it was like I knew all of it even before hearing everything. I found out that when I was a baby my mother would always play the Beatles next to her tummy while I was inside of it..so it's the first music I ever was introduced too so it holds a special place in my heart.
I have a personal connection to their music like I can't explain..it doesn't feel like music it feels like a huge part of my life and that's why they are my favorite..
Now the stones have a part of me because of my dad I always heard stories of me dancing to the stones music as a baby and trying to imitate Jagger. He even got me baby rolling stones shirts..when I listen to their music it reminds me off my childhood but more importantly my dad and that reason alone makes their music so sentimental and is something that not many groups/artists do for me. 

[MBE]

Hell they're all good. Favorite periods

Beach Boys 63-73
Beatles 63-68
Stones 63-68.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

I love Wild Honey and Smiley Smile but referring to them as masterworks is pretty funny  

If Their Satanic Majesties and Goat's Head Soup are masterworks than Wild Honey is the f***ing Sistine Chapel of music.

[pixletwin]

I love Wild Honey and Smiley Smile but referring to them as masterworks is pretty funny  

If Their Satanic Majesties and Goat's Head Soup are masterworks than Wild Honey is the f***ing Sistine Chapel of music.

Amen...

Really though I think it's a much fairer fight to pit The Stones against The Beach Boys. That being said, TBB still win by a long run.

[Newguy562]

I love Wild Honey and Smiley Smile but referring to them as masterworks is pretty funny  

If Their Satanic Majesties and Goat's Head Soup are masterworks than Wild Honey is the f***ing Sistine Chapel of music.

Goats Head Soup has Silver Train...Wild Honey has Here Comes the Night....Wild Honey has Let the Wind Blow (which is awesome) and Goats Head Soup has Dancing with Mr. D (one of the greatest stones songs ever)
So Goats Head Soup totally takes the cake on this one.

[Newguy562]

I love Wild Honey and Smiley Smile but referring to them as masterworks is pretty funny  

If Their Satanic Majesties and Goat's Head Soup are masterworks than Wild Honey is the f***ing Sistine Chapel of music.

Amen...

Really though I think it's a much fairer fight to pit The Stones against The Beach Boys. That being said, TBB still win by a long run.

By a long run? WTF! That's not accurate at all!
You're being so biased!

[Chocolate Shake Man]

I love Wild Honey and Smiley Smile but referring to them as masterworks is pretty funny  

If Their Satanic Majesties and Goat's Head Soup are masterworks than Wild Honey is the f***ing Sistine Chapel of music.

Amen...

Really though I think it's a much fairer fight to pit The Stones against The Beach Boys. That being said, TBB still win by a long run.

by a long run? wtf that's not accurate at all!
you're being so biased!

I think lots of bands beat the Stones "by a long run" - The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Kinks, The Band. I'd put solo acts like Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and Stevie Wonder ahead of them too though Stevie may only beat them by a short run.

[Ian]

Sticky Fingers (1971) is better than Surf's Up (1971) as a start to finish consistent (no skipping) listening experience-but Surf's Up would have beat it-if Dennis hadn't pulled his tracks off it at the last minute-