crazed

Musically- and I'm sure many people will disagree- I believe the Beatles were best from 1963-1965. In 1966, I'd call it a draw. Then from 1967-1970, I'd say the Beach Boys were best musically. I used to be of the exact opposite opinion but in the last ten-fifteen years I've enjoyed the music of latter '60s Beach Boys more over the Beatles of the same period. And I've come to appreciate more the earlier recordings of the Beatles. I don't hear much from either camp of these eras I dislike, just enjoying their output to different extents depending on how my tastes change (or change back-and-forth).

neardeathexperience

It is very hard to find fault with either band seeing as they were both legendary.

OliviaCherry

I like Beatles more than The Beach Boys, especially i like their song Yesterday

Surell

I had to comment on this one. Late as always.

"Fixing a Hole" gets on my nerves. Though it has grown on me, it's content is just kind of empty or pretentious, and contributes virtually nothing to the album (besides stating their stance in psychedelic culture). It does have a nice little beat though, and some alright guitar playing by George, and the transition to the chorus is done well. But "Caroline No" is a gorgeous, heartbreaking ballad, so minimal that it just lives in your music experience like a skeleton. It has one of their best vocal performances, and is paced incredibly. The jump in range at the second "oh caroline" is just stunning. However, even with the fitting solo toward the end, it isn't quite conclusive enough as a closer to such a great album.

The edge is still to the Boys though.

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Socialginga

beach boys all the way

Neapolitan

^ fixed.

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DriveYourCarDownToTheSea

After a long break I think it's time to return to the contests. As mentioned before, at around this point it gets harder to find "reasonably comparable songs," but here is my attempt anyway.

Contest #16: Battle of the somewhat rapid-paced acoustic-ish filler songs - "I'd Love Just Once to See You" vs "Cry Baby Cry"

I'd Love Just Once to See You - recorded fall 1967


Cry Baby Cry - recorded July 1968


My verdict: Pretty close, but in this somewhat arbitrary match-up I give the edge to the BB song.

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DriveYourCarDownToTheSea

Contest #17: Battle of the Songs About the Countryside - "Country Air" vs "Mother Nature's Son"

These two songs aren't very comparable musically but lyrically the themes are similar, so they're getting matched up anyway.

County Air - recorded fall 1967


Mother Nature's Son - recorded August 1968


My verdict: Paul's - erm, the Beatles' - tune is just too pretty to vote against even though the BB song is still decent.

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DriveYourCarDownToTheSea

Contest #18: Battle of the ... Well, Offbeat and Somewhat Weird Songs With a Bit of an International/Ethnic Flavor - "Busy Doing Nothin" vs "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

This is an example of where it gets hard to compare them. Brian Wilson writes a (musically) serious-sounding and sophisticated tune, but with lyrics which are pretty goofy. When the Beatles, on the other hand, write a goofy tune, not only are the words goofy, so is the music.

The BB tune is a Bossa-Nova tune (inspired by Burt Bacharach). The Beatles tune is a kind-of Ska-inspired piece (the title words were courtesy of a Nigerian friend of his). Hence, the "ethnic flavor" angle.

"Busy Doing Nothin" - recorded March-April 1968


"Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" - recorded July 1968


My verdict - the Beatles tune is really fun, but ever since I first heard it I've thought Busy Doing Nothin' was an under-appreciated, and really quite sophisticated piece of songwriting, plus the goofy lyrics add another layer of interest. So I'm voting for the BB tune.

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DriveYourCarDownToTheSea

OK, I'm going to make an existential leap out of the time continuum here in order to compare two songs which are otherwise out of the scope of my contests. This, IMO, will probably be the most interesting comparison with the possible exceptions of Let Him Run Wild/We Can Work It Out and Surf's Up/A Day in the Life.

I said I would stop the contests after Sunflower/Abbey Rd/1970, but I feel this one just *has* to be made. Here is what I consider the best post-Beatles song by one of the Beatles members, against the best post-1970 Beach Boy songs.

Bonus Contest: Battle of the Dreamy, Otherwordly Post-1970 Songs - "'Til I Die" vs "Number 9 Dream"

'Til I Die - 1971


Number 9 Dream - 1974


My Verdict: The only thing I don't like about 'Til I Die is that it's about a minute too short. Otherwise, don't even think about asking me which of the two is better.

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