Let 'er rip.
Moth and I have been taking up space in the bands tournament since the first (and ever so cruel) match-up pitting arguably the two greatest rock 'n' roll bands of all time against each other. It hit me that it may be a good idea to start a thread about it. I'd like to hear some other opinions- which band do you prefer? And, more importantly, why?
Remember, let's not get nasty- there is no right or wrong answer, and people are entitled to opinions. This thread is not meant to be an arena for cruelty or anger, but instead to discuss these groups.
So without further ado:
or
So as not to be only an instigator but a participant, I'll lead things off.
Now, these two bands stand as number one and two on my list, and as far as I'm concerned rock music was never more influential, revolutionary, or entertaining than these chaps made it. Of course, The Rolling Stones are alive and kicking, so they easily surpass The Beatles in sheer volume of records.
Still, I like to look at the two bands' music as a whole. To me, The Beatles have the upper hand because of the crescendo of their work, the legend of the climb. To look at the evolution from Please Please Me to Let It Be is almost dumbfounding. The first few albums were what rock and roll meant to the 50s and early sixties: simple but catchy love ballods and mop haircuts. But the literal maturity of rock music can be traced through The Beatles' catalogue like a map; their music helped shape the genre, going through pop music to heftier rock and finally to psychadelic orchestrations. It is hard to compile a "greatest hits" because each song compliments another so nicely. Albums like Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Beatles (White Album) flow like a dream, and a piece cut out of the picture, while still great, is missing something without its origin. In words, each album is an indescribable mystery, each one a puzzle.
Now, I have an easier time listening to a Stones song out of place, which certainly is convenient, but something magical seems absent compared to the former band's legacy. Sure, albums like Let It Bleed and Sticky Fingers are powerhouse rock records, but to me they still stand as a compilation of great songs in a convenient package, not something elemental. In fact, the only album I find a journey to listen to is Exile on Main St.
Anyway, that's one man's opinion. Probably most of you don't give two shits, and maybe you shouldn't, because both bands are essential rock artists. but I'd be curious as to what the rest of you thought.