As long time U2 (own all officially released records - most vinyl, all on cd) and Beatles (own all officially released records, all vinyl - by the way, I use a Linn LP 12 turntable) fan I slightly differ in my opinion with Dr.Who:
1. "Boy" as a first release was as fresh, unique and very good as "Please, Please me"/"With the Beatles" - result: tie
2."October" is in all way a very unique and a interesting sounding album but I think from
the point of musical development, musical ideas and performance "A Hard Day's Night" is the outstanding record of the first Beatles period (up to Rubber Soul)- result: Beatles win
3. I would like to compare "War" against "Help" and "Beatles for Sale" because I think that both Beatles albums having in some way the same tune and mood and represent the Beatles as "saddled down artists" in their first period. I really like "War" and it's for U2 the climax of their first hard and raw time. I really like "Beatles for Sale" and especially "Help" (my first purchased Beatles album) but in terms of innovation U2 is simply better - result: U2 wins
4. I think comparing "Rubber Soul" and "Unforgettable Fire" is a good thing because both bands are now on a very important point in their careers, changing musical style and directions. Both albums are really great, but Rubber Soul is a little bit to sweet (especially the Ringo song) and "Unforgettable Fire" is still the U2 record with is closet to my heart because it really change my life and my opinions back in 1984! - result: for personal reasons and good memories about the long gone glory eighties, U2 wins
5. I actually think comparing "Joshua Tree" with "Revolver" is better than with "Sgt. Pepper". "Sgt. Pepper" is much more experimental as "Joshua Tree" ever was and I will compare it with "Achtung Baby".
I think "Revolver" and "Joshua Tree" are musical landmarks. "Joshua Tree" is all about feelings and mood. I can remember back in 1987 when I brought this record (vinyl of course) I had to hear it constantly for 4 days and I start sometimes crying because I was so emotional shaken. But I still think "Revolver", when you just compare the music is much more innovative and gives more new directions. I think "Revolver" is the best Beatles album (and I think a lot of the so called musical experts agree with me). And it has one of the top three Beatles songs (maybe the best) ever: "Tommorrow Never Knows"!
Both albumcovers are execellent. I really like the "Joshua Tree" cover (still my U2's favorite) but again the "Revolver" cover is much more innovative. - result: that's a very tough one, but I think Beatles win.
6. I like to compare "Rattle and Hum" with the so far not mentioned "Yellow Submarine" album. Although "Yellow Submarine" (the original one) has only on one side beatles songs (on the other are songs by George Martin). I especially like George Harrisons "It's all too much" on "Yellow Submarine". On "Rattle and Hum" there are two outstanding tracks "Heartland" and "All I want is you". All in all I think both albums are good made but not outstanding. - result: I favor "Rattle and Hum", U2 wins
7. I will compare "Achtung Baby" with "Sgt. Pepper", because both are very experimental and really provide new musical ground. But my decision is very simple. "Sgt. Pepper" has one really, really great song (maybe this is the best Lennon/McCartney) "A Day in A Life", but "Achtung" has the best U2 song ever ("until the End of the world") and a lot of other outstanding songs. I think "Achtung Baby" is U2's best record and it belongs into the top 5 of the best ever made records (along with "revolver" and "abbey road")- result: Because of the outstanding song quality it' s easy, U2 wins
8. "Zooropa" can be best compared with "Magical Mystery Tour". In some way the tunes and the mood of both albums are similar. Both offers these unbelieveable "summer - looking back songs" feeling. I like both very much. - result: tie
9. "PoP" I would like to compare with "White Album". Both are kind of rough and experimental. The "white album" of course is a classic and contains much more outstanding songs ("Dear Prudence" etc.). I have one of the rare early european vinyl-pressings with the 4 pictures. result: easy, Beatles wins
10. "All You Can't Leave" I like to compare with "Abbey Road". Both albums offer a more mellow sound. I like both very much, but I have to decide - result: I go for "Abbey Road", Beatles wins
11. "Let it Be" has no competitor so far. I really like "Let it Be" and since a couple of years the Beatles officialy released the real recordings without the "Wall of Sound Mixes" by Mr. what was his name?. - result: ?????
I would like to add two new comparisons:
12. Live albums "Under A Blood Red SkY" versus "Live at the Hollywood Bowl". Both albums are catching the live tune of their recording time. Listen to the Beatles record. You really will here: the crowd is louder than the band! - result: tie
12. "B-Sides of Best of" versus " a beatles sampler "Forgot the name" released in the 70ies which contains B-Sides and rare tracks.
I will make it short -result: tie
So my score is 4/4 so far!!!
[This message has been edited by The Moose (edited 11-24-2001).]