The Beatles Vs. Pepper's Pet Sound

1696 Words4 Pages

The Beatles and the Beach Boys are one of the most influential pop bands to grace the earth. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Pet Sounds are often considered the 2 most innovative rock albums ever made. The truth is that both of these bands influenced each other greatly and were also competitive rivals. After Wilson heard the Beatles Rubber Soul album he set out to create an even greater work and after the Beatles heard Pet Sounds they were driven to make Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Both bands also shared the same label (Capitol) in the U.S which meant they were competing for attention on their own record company as well. This rivalry resulted in an abandonment of standard rock form, the lyrics were more conscious, harmonies increasingly complex, a wider range of instrumentation and songs that were so complex they were unable to perform live.

This essay will explore and discuss the similarities and differences of the sound of ‘The Beach Boys’ and ‘The Beatles’. The structure of the essay will be as followed. Firstly ‘sound’ will be compared in relation to use of instrument related technology. Next the sound will be compared through the use of recording and production related technology. …show more content…

They worked closely with George Martin whose important role as a producer gave him the title “the fifth Beatle”. It was because of him that the Beatles began incorporating classical music into their songs after Martin suggested that they include a string quartet in ‘Yesterday’. The Beatles employed many innovative studio techniques such as tape loops, double tracking, vari-speed recording and unconventional mic placements. Artificial double tracking is an effect which the Beatles were the first to use. ADT involves taking a vocal part and delaying it, giving the effect of double tracking without having to sing the part

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