Surell

Til I Die is such a dense composition, it feels like drowning in music to me. just saying.

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Alice in Chains

The Beatles. Not biased because they're my favorite band. They're my favorite band because they're as great as they are.

I dig The Beach Boys even though, admittedly, I haven't listened to as much of their songs as I have The Beatles because the didn't interest me as much. Honestly, those four dudes (Beatles) together was just genius. It's like some sort of connection just pulled them together because it knew the insane talent they had.

Anyway. Mostly meaningful lyrics (Though some are hard to understand for the narrow-minded), well played instruments, magnificently executed emotion, perfect live performances and just untouchable quality of music. It's my personal opinion, of course, and I'm not attacking anyone else for their opinion but TBB just can't compare to the Beatles.

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memycelfandeye

Early works: The Beach Boys
"Good" period: The Beatles
"Magnum opus's" (Pet Sounds vs Sgt Pepper according the media): Pet Sounds
Careers after bands fell apart: The Beatles
Music talent and ability overall: The Beatles (I believe that Brian Wilson and McCartney are equals but without Wilson The Beach Boys would've been nothing. While The Beatles' quality on many songs come directly from either Paul's pen or input I have faith that John and George would've had wonderful careers on their own)
Overall: The Beatles.

If SMiLE came out as it was supposed to when it was supposed this may be an entirely different argument though.

Lizzilee

As above........

The Beatles......

nirishan

I also grew up since I could listen to music, listening to the Beatles. And since then, they've been my favorite band. Then, Like you, unbeknownst to me, the Beach Boys made music outside, their fun and sun catalog. After hearing Pet Sounds was the record and so on like you I also discovered the magic wonder of Brian Wilson. I was ready to combat any who said the Beatles were better than the Beach Boys. But then after several repeat listens of Shut Down Volume 2, Pet Sounds, Summer Days, Smiley Smile, Surf's Up, Wild Honey and so on, and after firmly believing the Beach Boys were either on par with the Beatles or better every step of the way, I again decided to listen to the whole Beatles catalog. As a whole, I think it's obvious that the Beatles have a MUCH more consistent catalog due to late 70s and on Beach Boys (outside Love You) that don't come close to matching any Beatles album. The Beach Boys albums are obviously brilliant, but just as brilliant as the Beatles. Whilst there is something instiled in all of us to defy the norm and be contrarion and root for the underappreciated, that doesn't make the Beatles any less good. Brian Wilson was a brilliant, talented man, but I'd say no more than John Lennon or Paul McCartney. They were all on about the same level. Imagine, Let It Be, God Only Knows are all masterpieces. The Beatles are considered number 1 for a reason. And a damn good one. Their early records are impeccable all the way to the end. A Hard Day's Night and With The Beatles are two incredible albums and underrated compared to the rest of the Beatles catalog. The Beatles didn't just have 2 master songwriters. But 3. George Harrison composed some of the Beatles greatest songs (Something, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Here Comes the Sun), and was the one of the best guitarists there was. Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt Peppers, White Album, Abbey Road, Let It Be, Magical Mystery Tour, Help!. All magically perfect albums. Their Past Masters can't be overlooked as well. All the non-album singles that were damn good. Hey Jude, Inner Light, Day Tripper. Not only that, but the range of different genres and styles the Beatles wrote under was incredible. They even did the Beach Boys as good as the Beach Boys (Back in the USSR). Brian Wilson's talent was on par with any 1 of the Beatles yes. But how could he stand up against 3 fantastic writers on one team? The Beatles won't and shouldn't settle for number 2. Ever.

Lord Larehip

The problem with the Beach Boys is that the vast majority of the time, they are not playing on the studio tracks, it's all session musicians--Carol Kaye, Rikki Fataar, Glen Campbell, Leon Russell, Earl Palmer, Hal Blaine. Did you know that there are virtually no Beach Boys on "Sail On Sailor"? I've always liked the song but it really isn't the Beach Boys not even the singers. The Beatles, otoh, always played their own instruments although they had guest and studio musicians help out. I've always respected the DIY approach.

Surell

I think the Beach Boys have been more revered for their songwriting, and the sound that Brian Wilson achieved working with such revered musicians. The music wouldn't have been made without his vision. But you are right, on Pet Sounds, instrumentall speaking just about no Beach Boy are behind it, except for Brian on piano or organ a couple of times and maybe one other instance.

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Quzi

Rikki Fataar was a Beach Boy though, he was brought in when Dennis Wilson put his hand through a window pane in 1972 and severely damaged his hand to the point where he was unable to drum. Also, I believe on "Sail, On Sailor" the piano is played by Brian, the guitar Carl and Blondie (who was also a Beach Boy) did the bass and lead vocal.

The band probably shows the least presence on Pet Sounds, but saying they weren't there at all is a myth to a certain extent. On "That's Not Me", Dennis is on drums, Carl on 12-string, Brian on organ and Al on tambourine. Add a few other instrumental credits, Mike's lyrics to "I'm Waiting for the Day" and other contributions here and there, Al's arrangement to "Sloop John B", that awesome vocal blend etc. etc. you begin to realise that while undoubtedly still being a Brian dominated product, the other Beach Boys certainly left their mark on the album.

What's more, I'm confident the band would've been capable of recording those tracks had they been given the opportunity. After all, they played on the aforementioned "That's Not Me", "When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)" and a host of other complex songs. Even Mike showed us he was halfway decent at sax on this cover of "What'd I Say?":



Most of the time, the guys aren't on the tracks because Brian was recording while the rest of the guys were touring or because he was obsessed with aping Spector's session musicians, studios etc. For me, it all adds to the idiosyncrasy of the band's mythos.

Lord Larehip

At best, Fataar and Chaplin were session Beach Boys. I'm not buying that they were true members of the band. You never saw them in pictures of the band--not that I am aware of anyway. They were in the background making them essentially session men.

This is from Wiki concerning "Sail On Sailor":

Brian Wilson has said of the track:

“Van **** really inspired this one. We worked on it originally; then, the other collaborators contributed some different lyrics. By the time the Beach Boys recorded it, the lyrics were all over the place. But I love how this song rocks.[2]”

However, Parks has insisted that the song was not really worked on by Wilson, but rather that Wilson gave him a few chords with a small melody. Parks states that part of the reason it was so heavily stressed to be a mostly Wilson composition (indeed, Parks had to sue to gain any credits at all) is because Warner Brothers had demanded Wilson return to writing music and to the front of the band—something Wilson was not willing to do.[citation needed]

Parks later describes his contributions further:

“I came up with that lyric when I was working with Brian, as well as the musical pitches those words reside on. I did nothing with that tape until I saw The Beach Boys’ crisis at the company where I was working, earning $350 a week. Well, they recorded [“Sail on Sailor”], and it was a hit. And I’m glad that every one came out of their little rooms to claim co-writing credit on that song. But I never questioned it, just as I never questioned the various claims on the residuals. [...] On the tape, it’s clear from the contents that I authored the words and the musical intervals to “Sail on Sailor.” It’s also velar that I composed the bridge, played them, and taught them to Brian.[3]”

Vocals for "Sail On, Sailor" were recorded in late October 1972, some time after the Beach Boys had left Holland. However, Brian Wilson was not involved at all with the song's recording sessions, leaving the basic track to be recorded by Brian's brother Carl and ex-Flame and then-Beach Boys members Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin. The lead vocal was first attempted by Dennis Wilson, who sang the vocal once before leaving to go surfing. Carl was the next to attempt a vocal, but he then suggested that Chaplin make an attempt. After two takes, Carl decided that Chaplin's vocal would feature as the lead.[3]

Quzi

They've definitely been written out of history a bit, but regardless, they were without a doubt seen as true Beach Boys around this period. Glen Cambell didn't get this kind of treatment:





Also, why have you bolded that Brian wasn't involved with the recording sessions? It goes on to note that Carl was the chief producer for that song, and if he isn't a real Beach Boy then I don't who is... besides, I think Brian's contributions have been downplayed. I've come across a few sources which do say Brian made some significant contributions to the production, albeit over the phone.

EDIT: Oh, if you're talking about Brian's piano contribution, I believe it was recorded when the song was originally demoed in 1970 or so. Moog and other overdubs were laid atop of Brian's basic track.