nema, you have some interesting points. I am not a Beatles expert and I am not old enough to have been a first generation fan, but here are some observations (not trying to disagree, I just think this is kind of interesting to chat about):
1. Though the Beatles initial success was "pop" songs, I seem to remember reading or hearing that they were considered somewhat dangerous even at that time. Rock-n-roll was young and parents were scared. That theme gets played out with every generation to one extent or another. I think their music is considered more commercial in retrospect, looking back through the lens of almost 50 years But back then, even their pop stuff was considered avante garde.
2. Then, in 1967, came Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. There is no other way to put this than to say that that album changed EVERYTHING. And I mean everything. It blew everything else out of the water. Wikipedia says that Rolling Stones ranked it as the number one album of all time. It was decidedly not pop nor commercial.
3. I think that one of the interesting similarities between Beatles and Crans is that they are both writing about stuff that is real and matters. Whether it be love songs (which are important even if they are love songs) or other, heavier social topics like war.