Do you think much of the variety in the Beatles' music was caused by them working to produce songs that reflected the different tastes of the members? Or was the variety caused more by each musician individually having an eclectic taste? And what makes you like George Harrison's talents the most? I don't know enough about Beatles songs to know who contributed what to the different songs.

I must confess I have never listened to the Byrds other than to their famous cover songs like "Turn, Turn, Turn." I'm listening to a few other songs now (Chestnut Mare, Eight Miles High, I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better). Hmm...they sound kind of like The Beatles but not as adventurous maybe, and more folksy? I think I like the Beach Boys better than the Byrds, based on what I've heard! Somehow the Byrds' music sounds depressing to me.

So for me, The Beatles > The Beach Boys > The Byrds

I don`t think its any secret about the different tastes that the individual Beatles had, and their incorporation of these influences were just part of the process of any great band, admittedly the Beatles did this process better and more varied than anybody else. I particuarly liked George Harrison, because like most people that listen to the Beatles for the first time, its the songs by John and Paul that are usually the best known, if you dig deeper you find George is the gem and in George`s work there is a spirituality and sensitivity more evident IMO than in the work of the others. He also introduced the group to indian mysticism and the few songs that he composed on each album were usually classics! Nearly all his gems have been covered over the years by other bands.

As for the Byrds you need to listen to the albums "Fifth Dimension" and "Younger Than Yesterday" IMO their two best and its on these albums that they predate the Beatles in certain styles of music, that the Beatles themselves would later indulge in. The best known Byrds album is probably "The Notorious Byrds Brothers" but I prefer the previous two. Their sound encompassed folk, pop and psychedelic and IMO could match the Beatles on this. I`m not so fond of their later stuff though when Gram Parsons was in the band, as its very country influenced and sounding and this is something that`s just not my style! Early Byrds were kind of like the Rolling Stones and specialized in covers and Gene Clark was certainly the Brian Jones of the group and they certainly brought a life to the Bob Dylan songs that they covered.

I agree the Byrds were a good band and I give them the credit they deserve, but I cant say I agree that the Byrds would be a better match-up against the Beatles, or that the Byrds are better than the Beach Boys..no way! :)

Given that the Beatles v Beach Boys is something of a landslide, and most groups are gonna lose in a head to head against the Beatles. I`m sure anybody familiar with the Byrds, could put up a good argument for them.....I know I can.

I've only ever listened to Beatles songs and not read much about who made which ones, so I didn't know George was the main person who drew the band into Indian mysticism. Thanks for the Byrds album suggestions! I'll listen to the first two and see how it goes.

Hey, the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" uses a theremin and "Vegetables" includes the sound of Paul McCartney crunching on celery! Let's see the Byrds out-do those, VB! ;) Celery percussion is hawt!!!

The Beach Boys - The Vegetables

The Beatles vs. Elvis is probably still an ongoing debate. Another interesting choice would be The Mothers Of Invention, but that's really a matter of personal preference.

What about The Beatles vs. ABBA haha

Really?

Obviously. How well are you acquainted with music history?

As to the Beatles v Beach Boys thing, well, i've heard 'Good Vibrations', and let me tell you, to my mind that's not even close to the best stuff from the Beatles catalogue! Take Harrison's spiritual hindu-influenced treks into the 'higher unknown' such as the much-soiled (from many a listening) 'Rain' and so on, for instance.

The Beatles are so much more better than the bloody beach boys!!!

Well if you look at that one little slice in time, when The Beatles released Rubber Soul, then The Beach Boys released Pet Sounds, then The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's, it might be considered a relatively even match. But after that, The Beach Boys sailed off into a sort of aimless oblivion, while The Beatles went on to record The White Album and Abbey Road. By that point, it was really no contest.