ThePhanastasio

Good call there.

I think they're both exceptionally good, but in different ways. Both bands were able to write really superb pop songs, and both were quite brilliant bands.

I still feel almost like truly comparing the two is really difficult to do, as listening to either band tends to evoke different (although by no means lesser) feelings.

I also disagree greatly with the far earlier post(s) (first page) saying that McCartney's bass work was far superior; much of the Beach Boys' bass session work (see Pet Sounds) was actually done by the superb Carol Kaye, who is my absolute favorite session bassist of all time.

Lilmay

Definitely Beatles for me. But they both are good in their own merits. They have unique styles, yet they influence each other in terms of writing songs.

frankvoo

Beach Boys!

npc210

The Beatles, if only because their catalog is much more diverse, though both are among my favorite bands.

Key

I prefer The Beach Boys over the Beatles. The Beach Boys are just so much more relaxing to listen to, and I don't have to try and figure out what they're trying to sing about. The Beatles were great, but their music tends to be very very confusing.

musiclistsareus

Beach Boys stayed together longer b 0 bb 1
Beatles had more big hits b 1 bb 1
Carl wilson>Lennon>Paul as a solo vocalist b 1 bb 2
Lennon+Paul>Carl+Brian as solo vocalists b 2 bb 2
Harrison>Carl as a guitarist b 3 bb 2
Brian>McCartney>Lennon as music composers b 3 bb 3
McCartney+Lennon+Harrison>wilson bros as composers b 4 bb 3
Lennon>all bb lyricists b 5 bb 3
as harmony vocalists bb>b b 5 bb 4
as a producer Brian vs George Martin too close to call
Ringo>Dennis as a drummer b 6 bb 4
as innovators beatles>beach boys b 7 bb 4
as bassist Macca>Brian b 8 bb 4
bb session drummer Hal Blaine>ringo (maybe) b 8 bb 5

I'm sure I've neglected some areas but it looks like Beatles but it's not a runaway.

OccultHawk

Appreciating Ringo is subtle business but I think he's the only one in the world who would have come up with a lot of those beats exactly as they are and that plays a major and often overlooked role in The Beatles sound and what made it so intriguing. Ringo, during his time as a Beatle at least, was also a master or knowing when and what NOT to play greatly assisting The Beatles' ethereal qualities. The Beatles' mystical edge and intangible beauty would have been compromised by any other drummer I can think of. For my money, Ringo is the greatest rock'n'roll drummer to ever live.

Badlittlekitten

Beatles all the way. Far more diverse and consistent. I love Pet Sounds but it's just one album.

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poppie

If i had a choice i would say the beatles by a mile!

Janszoon

You do have a choice.

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