Time for the disclaimers! First of all both of these acts are FANTASTIC. The Beach Boys are arguably one of the most talented, and influential acts of all time, making music in an array of different styles, but always held together by their out of this world vocal work and harmonies. A lot of the same can be said about Beck. Through his carrier he has made some of the most interesting, innovative, and influential music of my lifetime.
That being said, both these bands have A LOT of differences when it comes to their varying styles of music. Looking at Becks anti-folk, low-fi…(I’m not even going to try and list everything he has under his belt) against the Beach Boy’s Poppy, rock-and-roll love songs you would be right to throw that brick you’ve been palming since you started reading this article, but here me out first. (ouch, I said here me out first.)
What I’m comparing is tracks from the 1966 album Pet Sounds, and Becks 2002 album Sea of Change. Both of these albums are EXTREMLY critically acclaimed, the magnum opus of their respective carriers. Also both of these albums seem to have been influenced by pivotal events in the artist’s lives. Pet sounds came at a time when Brian Wilson began to experiment with LSD and other drugs, leading to the band’s, as well as his own personal, downward slide. Beck on the other hand recorded this album after his long standing relationship with Leigh Limon ended on bad terms.
I’ll start with the song from Pet Sounds:
“Caroline, No” was released as a Brain Wilson solo single before the album was released. It doesn’t take very long to figure out what this song’s about. The word No and a girl’s name in a pop song…some sort of break up or falling out with a girl. As far as a Beach Boys song goes it’s pretty simple. Really only piano, violin, hand drum and Wilsons layered singing throughout the whole song (with the exception of a few other instruments here and there.) It’s slow, it’s sad, it’s short, but my God is it pretty. Wilson has stated himself it’s his favorite song on the album, and “the prettiest ballad I've ever sung.” It’s very real and very relatable to me. He’s hurting, and he truly misses what he had with this girl. If you’ve never felt that then you’ve certainly never been in love.
Now for Beck:
“Guess I’m Doing Fine” is a bit longer, and perhaps a bit fuller sounding at first. The song is more complex, using his usual wordmanship Beck is able to paint a picture instead of saying being more outright. The singer is certainly in a similar situation. He’s lost a girl, and now life seems bleak, beautiful things have lost their beauty and meaningful things now feel meaningless…see the last sentence from the last paragraph.
To suggest Beck wasn’t in any way influenced by the Beach Boy’s is kind of laughable. They are one of the most influential bands of all time. On the opposite end of the spectrum I think if I could interview Beck (I can dream can’t I?) he wouldn’t mention the Beach Boy’s at the top of his list of influences. Both these artist used these turbulent times in their lives to put out some of the greatest music of their decade…but don’t take my word for it. Just push PLAY!
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