These must be the too most compared albums of all time. Yet, it's still interesting to see peoples' opinions on both. Foregoing Beatles/Beach Boys arguments, which of the two do you think has it over the other and can be given the title of 'Best Rock Album of all time.' Although Pet Sounds isn't very 'rock' as we now know it. Or at least, which of the two is better?

For me, it would be Pet Sounds, one of my favourite albums of all time. I've listened to both many times over, but Pet Sounds' beautifully melancholic, at times slightly psychadelic melodies, the harmonies and lush instrumentals make it hard to beat. Sgt. Pepper's was a Circus. It was as if the Beatles' wanted to make a silly album. Experimental and overtly ambitious, it comes a cross as a bit overproduced and lacking in consistency.

It's hard to pick a favourite track from Pet Sounds, as they are all so good. But 'I Just Wasn't Made For These Times' and maybe 'Sloop John B' (although it was a touch cheesy) would be it. As for Sgt. Pepper's, 'A Day In The Life' or 'She's Leaving Home.'

the beatles could not have made sgt. pepper the way it was had not the beach boys made pet sounds, one needed the other. both albums are brilliant.

the beatles could not have made sgt. pepper the way it was had not the beach boys made pet sounds, one needed the other. both albums are brilliant.


Absolutely...both groups (moreso Brian Wilson in the Beach Boys case) were batting against each other...Brian heard 'Rubber Soul' and came up with 'Pet Sounds', then The Beatles heard that and came up with 'Revolver'...

Had things gone according to plan, Brian would have then launched 'Smile', but you all (should) know the story behind that...

For me, 'Pet Sounds' is the better album of the two ('Pepper' was a bit too  indulgent in places...), but if you had put it against 'Revolver' I would have had a heck of a job...!

Why compare Pet Sounds to Sgt. Pepper's? I never thought Sgt. Pep was The Beatles best. Pet Sounds is a fine album and "Wouldn't It Be Nice" is one of my favorite songs of the '60s, and I really like the barking dog and all, but it doesn't compare to any of the best albums of the Fab Four.

Paul McCartney stated in an interview that when he heard Pet Sounds, he was so blown away by it, it inspired him to do Pepper.
For me it's a tough call, but I have to go with Sgt. Pepper. :D

Why compare Pet Sounds to Sgt. Pepper's? I never thought Sgt. Pep was The Beatles best. Pet Sounds is a fine album and "Wouldn't It Be Nice" is one of my favorite songs of the '60s, and I really like the barking dog and all, but it doesn't compare to any of the best albums of the Fab Four.




I think that Pet Sounds was better than anything the Beatles had released. Unless the Beatles had released the following tracks in one album (a bit like a 'greatest hits'). Hey, I've got a good idea for a new thread..l. :)

Sgt Pepper. easily , for me.

I love both but I'd give the very slight edge to The Beatles :)

It has to be Sgt Pepper!

As far as I'm concerned, Pet Sounds will always be a lush, visual, and gorgeous piece of music. Sgt. Pepper definitely had hooks as far as pop songs are concerned, but Pet Sounds is an album I can put on and always feel refreshed. Sgt. Pepper, if I hear it at certain times, I hear nothing but a bunch of psychadelic bullroar that has instrumentation competing with vocals. Honestly, does anything surpass the beauty of God Only Knows?

Sgt. Pepper's without a doubt! Though I do love "God Only Knows" from Pet Sounds.

Tanya

"Sgt. Pepper's" The Beatles, hands down...though I only own their "#1's" CD & "Abbey Road" LP... 8)


Though "Pet Sounds" make a great coaster  :D  ;D  :P

Foregoing the traditional arguments over which album and group is better...

My FAVORITE of the two is Pet Sounds......truly a landmark album.

Sgt Pepper's sounds like a circus, and very experimental...because thats exactly what it was.

Sgt Pepper was the Beatles answer, or re-tort, to Pet Sounds. 
Both are great....but I prefer pet sounds

I would wager opinions would differ if you compared Pet Sounds with Revolver, which is perhaps a more accurate comparison as both were released in the same year (1966). Of course I would pick Pet Sounds, though Revolver is among the top 3 Beatles' albums.

I would wager opinions would differ if you compared Pet Sounds with Revolver, which is perhaps a more accurate comparison as both were released in the same year (1966). Revolver is among the top 3 Beatles' albums.
I agree ;)

Not to sound rude, but... How is "Pet Sounds" a landmark album?  ???

If you have to ask that question, you are either under the age of 18, or just havent learned to appreciate the men who helped shape rock n roll as we know it today yet.........Not to be rude.

I would wager opinions would differ if you compared Pet Sounds with Revolver, which is perhaps a more accurate comparison as both were released in the same year (1966). Of course I would pick Pet Sounds, though Revolver is among the top 3 Beatles' albums.


Ditto on the comparison! Yet, I would still select "Revolver".

Tanya

One really has to listen to Pet Sounds to appreciate it...and then some people (especially the younger generations) still would not get it. Few can match Brian Wilson's grasp of melody.  Revolver was a very good album...but, again like most Beatles' albums had alot of filler...comparing songs like Dr. Robert and Taxman with such classics as Here Today and I Just Wasn't Made For These Times shows the difference.

the beatles could not have made sgt. pepper the way it was had not the beach boys made pet sounds, one needed the other. both albums are brilliant.
Im not sure why you say the Beatles could not have made Sgt Pepper without pet sounds, i totally diagree. The Bealtes were already making music similar to Sgt Pepper, such as Strawberry Fields, Tommorow Never Knows

Speaking of Sgt. Pepper's I actually prefer Magical Mystery Tour (not by much) to Sgt Pepper's. It is definately the most underrated Beatles' albums. Although it is true that the competition between the two inspired each to better the other (hence produce better music).

Both were so amazing, but I'm have to vote for Sgt Pepper because it was just so unique....er. ::)

One really has to listen to Pet Sounds to appreciate it...and then some people (especially the younger generations) still would not get it. Few can match Brian Wilson's grasp of melody.  Revolver was a very good album...but, again like most Beatles' albums had alotof filler...comparing songs like Dr. Robert and Taxman with such classics as Here Today and I Just Wasn't Made For These Times shows the difference.


I'm not sure what you mean when you say "most Beatles albums has a lot of filler", only St Pepper had a few songs that George Martin had added loops of sounds, Look at which album sold more and there is no comparison, Sgt Pepper out sold Pet Sounds big time. The Beach Boys only # 1 hit was Kukumo.
Dr Robert and Taxman is all Guitar bass and Drums there is no filler. You might want to listen a little more closely. The only song on Revolver that had any filler, as you call it, was Tommorrow never knows which is a cool song.
AlthoughI love the Beach Boys, there is no comparsion.

I don't know what chart you're looking at, but the Beach Boys had countless no 1 hits including 'I Get Around', 'Good Vibrations' and of course 'Kokomo.' But I don't regard commercial success as an indicator of how good a band is. As an album, Pet Sounds was the one shining moment of the Beach Boys' career (to a lesser extent the earlier singles, and spotradically throughout the rest of their career), and I think Wilson and the Beach Boys have been downplayed next to other 60s bands. As a band overall, I think the Beatles were overally more consistently 'better' but there are few things the Beatles did that could equal Pet Sounds.

In my opinion,Good Vibrations was pure corn. and an attempt to re-establish the Beach Boys as still being cool and hip.
It didn't work for me.
There I said it :P
I do think they had many better songs than Good vibrations tho.
but this is off the subject. I still like Sgt Pepper better.
and Revolver too. :)

brian wilsons pet sounds....  didnt care much for the beatles later stuff, starting with lonely hearts club band.

I don't know what chart you're looking at, but the Beach Boys had countless no 1 hits including 'I Get Around', 'Good Vibrations' and of course 'Kokomo.' But I don't regard commercial success as an indicator of how good a band is. As an album, Pet Sounds was the one shining moment of the Beach Boys' career (to a lesser extent the earlier singles, and spotradically throughout the rest of their career), and I think Wilson and the Beach Boys have been downplayed next to other 60s bands. As a band overall, I think the Beatles were overally more consistently 'better' but there are few things the Beatles did that could equal Pet Sounds.


I mis spoke, the only # 1 hit by the beach boys in the 60s was Good Vibrations. The chart I'm looking at? Go to the internet and type in # 1 hits in the 60s, .there ya have it

I mis spoke, the only # 1 hit by the beach boys in the 60s was Good Vibrations. The chart I'm looking at? Go to the internet and type in # 1 hits in the 60s, .there ya have it


I Get Around/Don’t Worry Baby (Capitol 5174/11 May 1964) US: 1; UK: 7

Help Me, Rhonda/Kiss Me, Baby (Capitol 5395/5 April 1965) US: 1; UK: 27

Good Vibrations/Let's Go Away For Awhile (Capitol 5676/10 October 1966) US: 1; UK: 1

Do It Again/Wake The World (Capitol 2239/15 July 1968) US: 20; UK: 1

Moron  ;D

In my opinion,Good Vibrations was pure corn. and an attempt to re-establish the Beach Boys as still being cool and hip.
It didn't work for me.
There I said it :P
I do think they had many better songs than Good vibrations tho.
but this is off the subject. I still like Sgt Pepper better.
and Revolver too. :)



I too thought Good Vibrations was a bit faddish, even 'noveau' - a little bit over-elaborate when I first heard it. But it is one of those songs which reveals new things with repeated listens.