Can you really answer this question objectively? If you were to remove all context of time, influence and innovation, the sheer immensity of the Beatles catalog would be too overwhelming for any band to realistically compete with.

Still, that might be a moot point, because considering this question within those added parameters, the Beatles are even more impressive.

Radiohead is amazing, and they have put out some legendary albums, but putting them up against the Beatles just isn't fair.

As many have already stated, I feel this comparison is a bit awkward. Radiohead and the Beatles are from two completely different musical epochs. I personally was not alive in the 60s, but I assure you that the conventions of musicianship were different over 4 decades ago.
Both bands are magnificent in their own right, but I feel that the cultural differences of their seperate generations yield them incomparable.

Most ridiculous discussion ever. No musical similarity other than guitar, bass, and drums. Two completely different time periods. And Radiohead, contrary to what everyone tells you, have accomplished jack diddly for anyone. Anyone who likes them is a pretentious bastard. "Difficult music"? Try hardcore wankery.

Ha, ha that's excellent Tyler, well put mate....and I like 'em....

quote:

Originally posted by Ishmaelscoffin:
Ha, ha that's excellent Tyler, well put mate....and I like 'em....

I agree! What a devastatingly brilliant post!

bwahahhhaha....


What a joke this poll is. Radiohead took everything they have from the Beatles and Pink Floyd. Those two are the innovators, not Radiohead. The only difference is Radiohead has a more active and frenzied online community.


When Radiohead starts making albums full of 10's(Abbey Road, Dark Side, Wish You Were Here, Revolver) instead of albums full of 7's and 8's, then we'll talk.

OMG how can we even have this dicussion!!! Everyone knows that the Beatles are the greatest band ever, period. Forget every other band, forget Mozart, Bach and Beathoven. The Beatles are the only music worth listening to - They created music. No, in fact they created the Earth and the Universe and their farts smell of roses. Anyone who disagrees with this must be really stupid.

I sometimes enjoy my own farts. Does that mean I'm a BeatleWannaBe or something else? Have you seen this?? It's probably the greatest thing I've "seen" in a long while.

quote:

Originally posted by Funkymonk:
OMG how can we even have this dicussion!!! Everyone knows that the Beatles are the greatest band ever, period. Forget every other band, forget Mozart, Bach and Beathoven. The Beatles are the only music worth listening to - They created music. No, in fact they created the Earth and the Universe and their farts smell of roses. Anyone who disagrees with this must be really stupid.

im not sure i would go THAT far...but i agree, this is a ridiculous thread. These are two great bands (though im inclined to think the beatles are so much better!!) that are in different eras and CANNOT be compared.

Truly

I listen to Radiohead far more often, but easily the Beatles.

quote:

The lyrics to "Sail to the Moon" are embarassing.

Then there is "Sit down. Stand Up." Only Thom Yorke could make a four and a half minute song out of...."Sit down. Stand Up. Walk in to the jaws of hell. Anytime. We can wipe you out anytime. Anytime. And the Raindrops", with "raindrops" repeated like 50 times.

The Beatles were a boy band. All hail Radiohead!

Is this even a real question? The Beatles changed music as we know it. If it wasn't for The Beatles, we probably wouldn't be listening to 90% of the music we do today.

quote:

Originally posted by modestaretaloger:
Is this even a real question? The Beatles changed music as we know it. If it wasn't for The Beatles, we probably wouldn't be listening to 90% of the music we do today.

That is just silly. The Beatles are the most influential and important band of all-time. Agreed. However, it's not like they invented something in which music could be made. Music would have evolved anyways. The Beatles shaped music as we know it, however, it is preposterous to make such a statement. Many artists are influenced by the Beatles, but art and creative expression can come in many forms, and is mainly the eye of the beholder.

I have always found The Beatles a huge turn off, bit like our Royal Family, they have always been overexposed and shallow. To my ears their entire out put just sags under the huge weight of ordinariness. This is a belief that I almost have to keep to my self, it tends to upset folk, so thanks for letting me express myself here. Radiohead by miles....

These are my two favorite bands. I love Radiohead, but there's no contest here. The Beatles are the most influential band of all time in my opinion. Sure, at first they did little pop songs, but they started to get creative with their song structures. The Beatles are one of the bands that shaped rock & roll, and they even delved into other genres, such as metal (Helter Skelter). I think Radiohead is the most important band of this era, and they're extremely influential, but they're nowhere near as important as the Beatles.

The Beatles vs. Radiohead? A Beatles vs Rolling Stones thread would be more interesting. Then we can do Blur vs Oasis

For the record: I voted The Beatles. And yes, I inhaled.

quote:

Originally posted by hku:
The Beatles are more talented and better at music than any other band by hundreds of kilometres.

Not quite. Let me think...George Harrison vs. Eric Clapton..hm...Ringo Starr vs. Bill Bruford..tough one. The Beatles definitely weren't more talented than any other band. In all seriousness, I really don't buy into the whole "The Beatles' music was so innovative and influential" thing. Their influence was social. That being said, I am open to arguements otherwise. I wouldn't mind loving The Beatles like I used to, it's just hard. Even though I think Radiohead is overrated as well, I'll take them for now.

it's 2008, time to stop debating the Beatles.
enough has been written about this most overrated of all acts ever. Personally I think they have always sagged under the extreme weight of their own ordinariness, whoops there I go debating the bloody beatles.......