Beatles vs. Stones

I am usually not a fan of this debate, and this is a debate that happens often among British Invasion fans.  I hate doing this because I think the bands had different hey days, different problems, and they are both amazing.  I resent having to choose.

That being said, "Sound Opinions" on NPR has dedicated the show this week to comparing the two bands.  When I heard this was going to be the topic I sort of groaned and thought, "great's let's just get through this".  Listening to the show, I think it will be on of my favorites ever.  Instead of looking at the bands as a whole they have chosen to break down the two bands double albums.  The compare "The White Album" to "Exile on Main Street".  They are giving the background on how the albums where made, where the bands were in their careers, what the music is about.  They talk about how Mick and Keith's wives didn't get along so Mick was absent from a lot of the recording so it was really a Richards driven album.  "The White Album" was the height of Harrison's songwriting with the Beatles and suddenly Lennon and McCartney had to make room for more of his work.  It's all stuff I never knew before.  These are both albums on my desert island lists, and it's great to hear them stripped down and compared.

They haven't posted the show online yet, but when they do I'll throw the link up here.  Also I'm adding a link to the book the two "Sound Opinions" guys wrote about The Beatles and The Stones.  I may hate the debate, but if this show is any indication on the book I'm adding it to my Christmas list.