Reviews (page 6 of 8)
The sound of an era. Perhaps the originators of the cliches.
Not doing it for me. Old-school style music.
Two stars because it wasn’t unbearable, no more because it wasn’t interesting
Honestly, too similar to the Beatles. They sound like a cover band. I get that was the sound of the era, but it’s not interesting or innovative when it sounds so same.
Little slow hippy music it kinda sounds like. It’s ok but nothing memorable really.
2/5. A little more intelligent writing with unique experimental sounds for a pop band but it doesn't really age well. A lot of inspiration from the Beach Boys and Beatles but not quite the same feeling. It kind of just gives off feelings trying too hard to sound different. It gets points for the willingness to try something new but didn't astound me. Also the mixing truly drowns out the vocals. Best Song: Artificial Energy, Wasn't Born To Follow, Tribal Gathering
This was an interesting album. It started out predictably (in a good way) like a 60s rock/folk album would, but veered quickly into more of an experimental space with lots of synthesizers and sitar-like sounds. The concepts were interesting and I enjoyed them.
It kinda blended into the background on my first listen through, so I had to listen through again. I dug the instrumentals more than the rest of the tracks.
Moog Raga is trippy as fuck, and I loved every second of it. I like the fact that bands like The Byrds were taking big swings in a time of dramatic change and experimentation in popular music. I think that's where this album really shines. However, there are a lot of "play it safe" tracks here too that kind of make this one lose some steam for me.
A lot is going on here stylistically, from psychedelic folk and baroque pop to country and instrumental electronica, yet the record blends everything cohesively without ever seeming like it's trying to do too much.
Pretty good, experimental album that took some risks that hit, and some that didn't (moog machine, I'm talking about you!) but overall a good listen. I'm pretending that whatever that ending track was doesn't exist and is merely a fragment of my imagination so that I can justify a 4.
Another solid folksy album. It gets a little weird and experimental here and there like the song Dolphin's Smile which was nice. Gave it a little extra something.
There's a sound I like here, but this album doesn't quite work for me. There isn't enough of what I like, and there's too much of what I don't like.
Feel like sometimes the Byrds' reputation outstrips their output. Some of this comes across like unused tape cuttings from a Beatles studio floor. A bit noodly and inconsequential. Suspect I'd hear more from this on repeat listens but I'm afraid for today, on first impression, it's a low score.
It was just ok
9/10. A mix of unique creativity but with a slight feel of nostalgia is what I get with the Byrds. I’d rate this album between the other two. I think they have a bizarre mix of what I’d consider fairly “basic” chill music (Goin Back, Wasn’t born to follow) and experimental chill music (Space Odyssey, Moog Raga).
Too 1960's for me. Not putting down the music, it's just not to my liking. Boring is the word that comes to mind. With these exceptions: (I wrote this midway through the album, thinking I'd hear a few classic ones from my youth that would resonate with me. None did.)
A good picture of the 60s psychedelic rock.
Seems pretty influential. Thinking Big Star et al. Didn't mind it.
I like that the Byrds were willing to stretch and grow as a band. The fact that they were one of the first bands to use the Moog is pretty cool (although the songs they used it on were not that interesting). I knew that "Triad" was the song that Crosby had a lot of dispute with the Byrds. His performance on the live CSNY album is spellbinding. This is pretty good too, but I was so used to the live acoustic performance this paled in comparison. The first bunch of songs really open the album well. "Artificial Energy" has a great horn set, and the cover "Goin' Back" works well. "Draft Morning" was a bit on the nose for me, but most protest songs usually are. "Get To You" has a bit of a waltz feel, but I dig the 5/4 time. ("White Room" is probably one of my favorite 60s songs.) Things I did not care for: "Space Odyssey." The effects just got really annoying, and the lyrics just felt like someone who had no idea what they were talking about writing science fiction. I wish the moog was incorporated in other songs better. It's funny how we think of the band as just "Turn! Turn ! Turn!" when they went on for a while with quality work. This is an example of it, I really enjoyed this album. Top tracks: "Artificial Energy," "Goin' Back," "Get To You," "Draft Morning"
Well, that's 4 albums by The Byrds now and you know what? They kind of suck. That's a bit exaggerated but every album has felt like an existential crisis to pin down whether the album is truly ho hum or if it's just me not appreciating it. And why? Because everything I read tells me The Byrds are a major band and a key part of musical history. I don't care. I won't feel compelled to sing their praises anymore. They are not my cup of tea. Respect for constantly changing gears and styles and being on the forefront of those changes. But it's mostly average to me and I don't care who knows it.
very mellow classic rock. not quite for me but i can respect it
really good!
yeaaah
I enjoyed this album much more then I thought I would. this album is full of pretty vocals and simple yet engaging instrumentals. Really got a beatles vibe from this but I think that is more 60s rock as a whole def will listen to more
first listen. very nice and pleasant to the ears but far from being my favourite Byrds album, it doesn't really stand out
ну это совсем уже психодел, не
It was alright. I'm just not a fan of psychedelic music, so I probably won't revisit this.
I was in the mood for this & I enjoy this band. 3.5 stars.
This was fine for what it was. Not really my thing though.
Previously rated: Fifth Dimension (3/5) ************************ Listened to the original 11 tracks. More hippie rock with a little country and experimental prog(?) stuff. Nothing very catchy or memorable.
I was only familiar with "Wasn't Born to Follow" so this was all new to me. Well, I say "new"; I mean it is The Byrds after all. I liked it fine. Wikipedia says Space Odyssey "features a droning, dirge-like melody reminiscent of a sea shanty". It's clearly "The Handsome Cabin Boy" almost note for note.
I love the psychedelic folk rock and early experimental vibes of this album. The track with the Moog synthesizer was funny but also kind of cool for the time.
It's okay
It was a psychedelic era, and this was just one of those albums, it was OK
not much to say. very samey samey
Old, psychedelic rock
Classic 60s pop rock sound
The Byrds are a little too slow for me
"Mom can we get the Beatles?" "We have Beatles at home" Beatles at home: Als niet grootste Beatles fan is dat al licht zorgwekkend. Vind er dus niet heel veel aan, ga wel kapot om het vele gebruik van het flanger effect. Duidelijk dat dat toen nog een nieuw en interessant effectje was, waar het nu meer een kermis effectje geworden is. Super psychedelisch en dromerig album, klinkt wel geinig. Niet super bijzonder. Maar Moog Raga is een bad trip in een nummer, klinkt ook niet meer nice. Triad is hilarisch, stelt die guy nou gewoon voor om maar als trio verder te gaan? Geweldig. Maarja, het is een prima dromerig album, met een paar absolute dieptepunten zoals Moog Raga. Kom ik uit op 3 sterren. Toch iets minder aliexpress Beatles dan ik aanvankelijk dacht. FAVO: Tribal Gathering, Triad
Love the psychedelic 60's vibe. In my opinion, it lacks a certain element to be great. Wasn't born to follow, and Tribal gathering stood out as songs that was less thrown together than the rest
Willder recommended \"wasn't born to follow\" and \"going back\" Enjoying it so far, jangley 60s, if the doors weren't a bummer
Wasn’t sure what I was going to get, partially due to me always confusing The Byrds with The Yardbirds. Anyways, it’s a pretty decent and surprisingly atmospheric rock album for the time.
Begon als een gezellig folk rock album, eindigde in een halve lsd trip, 4 reten
Boring
As much as I like a few birds songs I have to say whenever we've had the albums they sort of blur into one. I find it hard to distinguish. Tbf I was listening to this during an early morning run which halfway through triggered a migraine... So I was distracted. Maybe I should relisten as I didn't not like it
Not bad, all sounds the same but all good I guess. Exactly what I expected.
Just not good
Good, mellow background music
The Byrds have some decent tunes here, but nothing out of the ordinary for the genre.
Typical hippie shit
Triad should have been on the challengers soundtrack
Just kinda sixties folky vibe. Not bad, but nothing special.
When they're not experimenting with psychedelic music, their smooth harmonies are like honey.
When you are in the mood for funky hippy music, this hits the spot!
typical Byrds
a few awesome tracks, but the b-side gets REAL shitty
It's nice, unexciting, and well produced for the time. Wallpaper music, but good for what it is.
Do we really need 5 albums by this band on this list? I was really hoping for more undiscovered albums than a popular bands entire discography. Anyway this is a nice psychedelic rock album.
Not a fan, there are better Byrds Albums. It’s good, but not something I’d ever choose to listen to. 3.5/5
This album is fine, but a lot of the songs start to blend together, and there isn't really many standout moments. This album sounds very 60s, which I think holds it back just a little. It is also weird how many songs are around the 2 minute mark, but I guess that was just the time. I wasn't crazy about this one. High 2.
Boring.
Very experimental for the time but I was never a fan of the Byrds in general.
Ok.
I thought I would like it, but nothing stood out.
meh
This feels like it probably deserves more, and could get a higher rating from me if I listened to it under different circumstances, but for now it will be a dead on 3. Just didn't cut through the noise of my workday enough, and I can't really single out a song that felt particularly good. Maybe should have listened to it more attentively, but it is what it is.
This really just passed me by and failed to grab my attention. Felt a bit like Simon and Garfunkle but without the catchy hooks. Maybe unfair since I know The Byrds were groundbreaking but since it just passed me by with nothing that really stood out it's getting a 2 star for now.
A lot of psychedelia doesn’t really hold up. This is a great example of that. Looking back it doesn’t feel innovative, but it’s not bad.
3.4/5 Best Track: idk
Day102 - a good album just not the best album from the byrds
Я ещё даже до сотни не дошëл, а это уже третий альбом птичек. И это прекрасно
Pretty good band already heard one and was better than this one. Solid musicians that knew their style and flowed great. Album is cool and easy listening but the 2 instrumental songs almost made go sleep. It OK
I didn't realize that I associate steel guitar with country music AND The Byrds, yet here we are. Loved it.
Strange production choices on this album. The horns, the fuzz guitar in the middle of a country track, the out of place strings... To me it felt like they were reaching for something on every song, and never got there.
It just sounds like an album from 1968. Not in a good way or a bad way, just in a 1968 way. There’s no way that horse is a part of the band!
frekar gott. er skeptískur á the byrds. en þessi fær aðra umferð. 3,5.
This makes me want to drop acid and frolic freely while barefoot in the woods. Interesting experimentation, this takes a hard left turn at the end. "Goin' Back" is absolutely beautiful. "Tribal Gathering" is a blatant rip off of "Take Five"; if George Harrison had to pony up, David Crosby should have too. Though, by the way the cover looks, he ponied up in his own way.
A bunch of meandering hippie nonsense that sounds incredibly hypocritical coming from a group that was falling apart and couldn't stand recording with one another in between alcohol benders and heroin blowouts. Still, it is mellow and easy to listen to, and mercifully short - probably short enough to fit on one side of an LP if you hate money.
Mostly just okay. It reminds me of the 69s but like b-roll music you hear in the background. Sam's Choice 60s music. Doesn't have the teeth of Hendrix or Jefferson Airplane or even the Stones but it's still enjoyable. I cant see myself returning to it often and enjoy their other work far more.
Nothing bad to say, liked the atmosphere
Nice mix. Some duds. Good flow of one song to next
Pretty good stuff
Yeah, great album.
Solid but not super memorable, few there are many groups with a similar sound that stand out more to me.
Some of the album kind of melded together in the middle and the ending got a but weird. But overall it was really good music that I plan to come back to. I can see how they influenced Dylan and the Beatles and also how they influenced the Byrds.
This is a 3.5 for me. There were a couple heaters on here but like so many of these albums, by the middle to end it's melds together a bit. Rounding down cause I'm a hater at heart and probably not coming back to it save for a couple songs.
Probably not the best Byrds album, but the last good one they made. Love the psych rock stuff and overall feel of this.
Supergroups like the Byrds get more attention based on the 'who' of who is in the band than the content. It's very listenable, but average. 3/5
They decided to be the Beatles after the Beatles. That's cool, I guess.
Good album, although a bit forgettable I guess
2 stars just because I've run out of ability to think about The Byrds at this point.
The electronic songs are way more interesting than some of the psych rock songs, but draft morning is a classic, despite leaning more to the latter. The moog experimentation makes this a great album instead of just a decent yet forgettable album.
3.5
Fine but so so long not bad but not notable
A good album and hugely influential, but there weren’t any standout tracks
Sound is so old
Easy listening hippie music. Nice for a chill relaxing day hanging out and enjoying the sunshine.
The Byrds are so groovy. Wasn't Born to Follow has been a favorite of mine for years.
Gotta love”eight miles high”
I just watched a documentary on Amazon the other day about Laurel Canyon, and The Byrds feature prominently in the first part. They were the first band to drop root in that idyllic heaven in California, followed by totemic artists such as The Doors, The Mamas and the Papas, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills and Nash, and later The Eagles. The music here sums up the feeling of an endless perfect summer, gardens full of colorful flowers, and sunlight coming through a plant populated living room window. It’s almost certain the album cover was taken at a band members house in the canyon. What a time and place to be alive!
All the 60s vibes here. Nothing specific really grabbed me, but I dug the album anyway.
There are several Byrds albums on this list, and this is the one that most deserves a spot. A shining example of how psychedelia, rock, and folk could intersect. Beautiful voices and arrangements, and some of the band's most original work.
Didn't like them when they were popular. Still don't.
Wow. Didn’t know how diverse and ethereal these guys are.
It sounds like Bsides off of a weak Beach boys album. Maybe a hint of the Doors in there or some Mamas and the Papas. None of it really grabbed me though.
Really didn’t give me much, feel like it blended in as background music at times. The moog raga was near unlistenable I had to fight hard not to skip that. Towards the end I liked goin’ back Harmonically the album was very familiar, but given the year it came out that might just be because people have copied this style. I don’t know, but I don’t feel an urge to listen again
Absolutely loved it, starting really like a lot of this kind of genre and these are no exception if not better. Love the early shoegaze like sound as well. Will certainly listen more and it may grow even more but it is hard to get a 5 so it will be 4 for now. Stand out songs: Wasn't Born to Follow Tribal Gathering Dolphins Smile
Hippie Byrds aren’t bad.
intensely boring
Nope
I thought that this album was pretty good. It was more experimental than I expected which was a nice surprise. All in all not bad. 3/5.
I feel like it had some advanced stuff for the era, gave a bit of a psychedelic rock feel but In the end it felt like folk rock 3.6/5
Some crazy psychedelic folk, very cool vibe. This album is literally a trip. I feel like every song gets deeper into a drugscape. Goin' Backs is very good on the front side, and the songs are little more folky with some unique effects on the voices that give it some character. Then the final three songs with tribal gathering, dolphin smile, and space odyssey, you can tell by the names alone what went down. Cool album
Original and interesting, liked it better than Mr. Tambourine Man
pretty basic 60s hippie shit. Its ok. 2.6.
It’s fine. Enjoyable listen but nothing that drew me in heavily.
I enjoyed it for the most part. No songs that I'm over the moon for but generally liked it. Good walkin around music
Ah, the record that broke up the Byrds. Nevermind, that was just David Crosby being a dick. While it’s a great record, with some PHENOMENAL songs, to me this is a transitional record that starts to hint at the full country-rock statement of “Sweetheart of the Rodeo.” The track listing starts with a very retro song (Artificial Energy), moves through some psychedelia and experimentation (the MOOG!!) before ending with “Triad,” which acknowledges their new lineup reality. Some really cool stuff here, though, with some super cool drum parts. Without this record, there would be no Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, etc.
bleggghh. idk maybe if I was on psychedelics and it was a good trip I’d give this a 3 but sober I’m gonna have to give it a solid 1.4 - a chore to get through ~ manifesting a pop album next ~
Moog Raga was a ridiculous jam, and name for a song. This was a weird album. I liked a few songs but not enough to seek them out again.
I can see how this album was popular in its time and has influenced many bands to follow. Good mix of rock, psychedelic, and folk. Prob need to give it another listen to lock it in. Wasn’t blown away but really enjoyed the jam at the end of Tribal Gathering
I liked it! Cool melody, chill vocals and all kinds of harmony going on 5.5/10
I don’t think I gave it a fair shot considering I didn’t listen to the whole thing, but was listening while multi tasking. Found myself a little annoyed at some of the noises during the songs…
увлекательный альбом. Я слышал о группе, но не об этом релизе. С удовольствием слушаю, они мне нравятся! Отличные эффекты для 1967 года! это немного долго, и мы это сделаем, "триада" заставила меня громко рассмеяться.
I liked it! Folk rock is generally not my type of music but you can definitely hear how this album influenced a lot of future music inside this genre and out. I liked the songs that stretched the vocalist a little bit, like Goin Back and Change is Now.
I'm in a grass field listening to this
A really nice album and one that surprised me in places. The cover of Goin’ Back is a definite highlight. It is melodic, warm and beautifully arranged. The harmonies are superb and it captures that dreamy late sixties sound perfectly. It is one of those songs that just floats along and stays with you. There is a lot going on across this record. Psychedelia, country touches, studio experimentation and layered production. At times it feels ahead of its time, and you can hear how influential it would become. That said, I am not a big fan of the instrumentals. They break the flow slightly for me and do not have the same emotional pull as the vocal tracks. Overall it is an interesting and enjoyable listen. Not one of my absolute favourites from the era, but a strong and creative album with some genuinely great moments. Favourite track: Goin’ Back Least favourite: The instrumentals do not quite land for me Album artwork: A very cool and slightly quirky cover that perfectly fits the late sixties vibe
Für diese Musik bin ich wohl zu jung (das ich das noch Mal sagen würde...) Es gibt Musik, die ist in Würde gealtert. Die hier ist nur alt.
60s psyche folk country, interesting but not that enjoyable
My favourite new discovery so far. This is a cracking album and one I’ll be buying. Going Back is a brilliant song. They have a lovely psychedelic folk-rock sound that just rolls through the album and then they seal the deal with effortless harmonies. I really really like it.
Tykkäsin enemmän kuin oletin, energia on hyvä ja taitavaa menoa. Mutta muistijälki katos heti kuuntelun jälkeen. Plääh siis? Vähän liian kuuskytluku kuitenkin kolmostähteen.
Oikeuksiinsa nousevat Carole Kingin vähän junnaava rallatus ja folkahtava readymade "Old John Robertson". Kertoo tarpeeksi.
Aaaaalta fumada, Esto es lo que escuchaban los de Érase una vez en... Hollywood
Bonito.
The 3rd Byrd's album I've gotten, and I just learned that David Crosby was an original member of this band. How did I miss that all this time? Anyways, great sound on this album, like if The Beatles had more southern American soul to them. More electric rock mixed in on this on than the earlier albums.
Cute
I really only knew The Byrds for their massive hit "Turn! Turn! Turn!" before listening to this album. Jangly 60s electric guitars and wistful, reverb-soaked vocals and group harmonies help propel this album to something I found more memorable than I thought I would (60s rock isn't really my thing usually). I did find the first half of the album to be better than the second. Interesting note from the Wikipedia entry for this album: "The Byrds also introduced the sound of the pedal steel guitar and the Moog modular synthesizer into their music, making it one of the first LP releases on which the Moog appears." Moog: best instrument name ever! Additionally, the well-known David Crosby was also fired from the band during this album's recording. Quite "notorious" indeed. Stand-outs: Artificial Energy, Goin' Back, Draft Morning, Wasn't Born To Follow, Old John Robertson
A durable classic. As with other Byrds records, one hears so much of the future across these cuts, so many of which are excellently tuneful – ”Goin Back,” “Draft Morning,” “Wasn’t Born to Follow” “Get to You” “Old John Robertson.” "Natural Harmony" and "Draft Morning" are templates for the sound and outputs of most likable and wholly decent The Clientele.
I haven't listened to The Byrds for ages, but I thought I liked their music then. But as I now discovered, this is not the case (anymore?). This is not bad nor a total waste of time, but no type of music for me.
Proper quality, classic 60s psychedelia and honestly I prefer it to their country stuff. Required listening for anyone exploring that era of music
If I'd had this album earlier I'd probably rate it higher. Influential psychedelic sounds & all. Long live the Moog! But after we've had 72 other influential psychedelic rock albums I'm tired.
Another band I've been meaning to listen to. I enjoyed the psych and prog elements of this album. Feels way ahead of it's time.
A great folk rock album with an experimental twist
Was not expecting David Crosby trying to pressure me into a throuple but here we are
there are better things by them in my opinion
So forgettable but not offensive apart from a few weird songs
So much shit at the end of the album. Moog Raga instrumental was one of the worst songs I've ever heard.
Beatles vibes, decent songs but nothing memorable Feel like I need to listen to it again and listen to lyrics etc Remarkably consistent
Not my kind of style but was quite soothing.
Make this a Beatles album and I went in like knowing them from little more than "Twist and Shout" and "Yellow Submarine". I'm fairly appalled by my ignorance of The Byrds, wtf. So; while I am not too keen on the "Old John Robertson" side of this album's music, it was overall delightful and immensely surprising. I'm suspecting there is a 5***** in The Byrds' discography and it's probably this one. /// Rating day. I'm not going to think "Man, you know what? I need to listen to The Notorious Byrd Brothers" any time soon, but I saved 4 tracks to my playlist of *everything* and this a damn fine album, a super nice blend of US-flavo(u)red late 60ies poprock and people being weird and experimental, yes indeed, 5 stars.
Fades in and out of interesting
Not my thing. I think it’s the vocals.
Some solid tracks for sure!
Short and kind of interesting folk/ rock/ psych/ country. I didn't like the sugary-sweet vocals, but the psychedelic sections were pretty good and there was some great guitar here and there. Overall it felt dated and not even particularly ground breaking. But it wasn't awful and I liked the horse on the cover so I'm giving it 3 stars.
Agradável, porém nada notável.
Already had this album. Duplicate.
The best Byrds album on the list so far. A bit more ambition in places but generally very MOR. A very overrated group IMHO. Rating: 2.5/5 Playlist track: Artificial Energy Date listened: 12/01/24
FIAT actually really interesting
nice and sweet but clearly dated
I don't know that I would call this the Byrds best album. It's definitely one of their most developed, that shows their most growth and change. But I don't think that necessarily makes it their best. Still good, though! Moog Raga sounds like it would be in one of those weird SpongeBob episodes.
I generally like the Byrds, and appreciate just how influential and groundbreaking they were. They were pioneers of folk rock, psychedelia, and alternative country. So much talent in that band. My least favorite Byrds songs are usually those where David Crosby had a prominent role. I'm not sure what it is, but his melodies are sort of creepy sounding easy listening to me. This album has a few of those, but overall it's very good. Also, this may be a controversial opinion, but the song Wasn't Born to Follow, which is a great song, was done better by The Monkees on their 2016 album Good Times! 4 stars.
Wafty 60s, could listen again.
I enjoyed this. It was a more complex than I'd expected from my knowledge of the Byrds. The country sounds and rhythms were appealing and it held up well.
Whoa, this was pretty cool. Dreamy, spacey, nice harmonies.
Mellow
7.3/10 Artificial Energy - 8,5 Goin' Back - 9 Natural Harmony - 7,1 Draft Morning - 5 Wasn't Born to Follow - 6 Get to You - 7,2 Change is Now - 7,8 Old John Robertson - 7,4 Tribal Gathering - 8 Dolphin' Smile - 7,2 Space Odyssey - 7,9
Kinda upset I had my shitty work headphones on for this one, I feel like I missed out on the production of it. Regardless I love this album, super cool psychedelic folk feel.
So so 60"s pop....
Just hippy 60's guff
a little too aloof. Space Odyssey especially was a hard listen. its just not fun to listen to. its not bad but nothing worth going out of your way to listen to.
Eh I only got about halfway through this one. Just didn’t grab me
Nope Byrds?
Hyggelig 60’er rock, lidt country/folk vibe uden st det bliver for noget
This was a fun and whimsical album. Kind of reminded me of The Ramones in that most of these songs are very short and sound similar. I couldn't decide if this was rock or country or a mix of both.
Album number four from the Byrds. It's aligned with the psych rock that I would typically expect from them, but it's nothing too off the wall. A few good tracks, especially the really long bonus track. And I really liked the Moog Raga, what a cool concept. Give me more of that! We've had at least one Byrds album that I really loved, but some of these others aren't as interesting. Too many Byrds in the house. Favorite tracks: Universal Mind Decoder, Moog Raga, Old John Robertson. Album art: Truthfully, one of the least creative we've seen from them. It's just a photo, but I'll grant that the photo is pretty good. The guys in a stable, with a horse as seemingly the fourth band member. The brick wall below them adds a nice element to it, but yeah, this one's not got a whole lot to it. 3/5
cowboy music for boring people, but this time with some rock elements
I feel like I've heard about a hundred bands that sounded like this
This was fine. The dreamier and more psychedelic elements help smooth out some of those jangly Byrds guitars, which I think is a good thing. One of those albums where none of the tracks on their own seem particularly noteworthy but it was a pretty consistently pleasant listen regardless.
Standards late 60's groovin
A bit different to the Byrds I was expecting, not as folky and happy.
Its nice enough. Dull enough too
Really captures the Laurel Canyon folk rock sound. Flows together as an album. Dabbles in different genres while a keeping a consistent rock base. Not as much a fan when they get more psychedelic though. "Goin' Back" is the standout.
Another byrds album and it’s different than the other ones. This one is more rock experimental with their folky style still intact. The country folk style is no longer and they’ve settled with what was popular with the random Indian hymn and other experimental influence. All in all it’s alright. There are other bands that were more experimental and succeeded in the 60s. 6.2/10
I mean its alright
it's a 4ish
Hell yeah brother
Very nice. the 60s were so fun goddamn it.
Kinda Mid, seemed like budget knock off beatles. I appreciated some of the choices in their instrumentation in Artificial Energy so it started strong but everything else was kind of forgettable. My ears found Moog Raga particularly offensive which is why this is a 2. Just something about it was ear grating for me. Also the overall sound quality seemed kinda ass Standout: Artificial Energy
Simon & Garfunkel voices and somewhat generic british 60s-70s alt rock band with experimental psychedelic-ish effects. it's just fine
Good old psychodelic rock))
it's the beatles meets eagles and i love it
Absolutely fine 60’s folk rock but also circles the same sound the whole way through (it’s a good sound but…)
I was enjoying this album until the second half. Moog Raga sounded like background music from a Muppets alien sketch. Triad was about trying to convince someone to be a part of a trouple (with possibly more to join later). And I just didn't like the last three songs.
Me ha parecido un coñazo, pero lo tendría que volver a escuchar más detenidamente.
Great space cowboy/cosmic Americana music
I feel like this leaned a bit more into the folk rock stuff rather than psychedelic, which isn't exactly what I wanted. I mean, there's psychedelic stuff present, but nothing as good as the peaks of Younger Than Yesterday. I have two left, which I'm looking forward too since they're older. My favourite songs were Draft Morning and Tribal Gathering.
Ik heb de laatste tijd behoorlijk wat indrukwekkende albums gehad, zowel Mount Everests als Marianentroggen. Dat zorgt er wel een beetje voor dat ik dit album alleen maar kan omschrijven als een beetje gezapig maar toch oerdegelijk. Het zit goed in elkaar, luistert aardig weg, de productie is lekker (ietwat dromerig en warm), het is licht experimenteel wat ik vaak leuk vind, maar ik voel er niet heel veel bij. Als je dit in die tijd hoorde, terwijl je als vanzelfsprekend aan de drugs zat, was dat waarschijnlijk anders. Een hoge 3 of een lage 4 qua gebruiksgenot: kwalitatief valt er niks op af te dingen. De niet-deluxe editie is na een half uurtje alweer klaar, wat reuze meevalt. Af en toe slaat de folk wel teveel door naar cuntry (track 7 en 8).
Eminently important and full of impressive soundscapes for the time, but it's definitely something of a museum piece for the modern listener. It's worth checking out, along with some of their other work, just so that you can get a feel for their influence and the impact it had on what was to come. That said, it's not terribly exciting in and of itself to listeners who have become accustomed to the more sonically impactful bands that followed.
Not my style but still enjoyable
Not as good as Mr. Tambo/Urine Man but still terrific.
The album was short and unremarkable. None of the songs really stood out. It wasn't bad just not good.
It's like all those Elephant 6 bands in Athens listened to this and then made records.
3/4
pleasure
Like the Beatles with creepier lyrics 🤣
I never used to understand why the Byrds were so popular but this album finally is helping me see why.
Great morning coffee music thanks to that teakettle ending note. The album begins with sounds akin to Beatles at their most gonzo, unserious psychadelia which takes itself very very very seriously. I'm not sure if the Byrds get much more Byrds than this, but there are hints of their country work and your expected "world" music worship scattered. And it doesn't overstay its welcome a minute.
Okayish folkrock without anything exceptional 2.5
I always associated them with the annoying jangly early stuff so only recently really listened to the Byrds with any attention after following Graham Parsons' discography backwards, so don't think I'd heard this album (apart from the ubiquitous 60s documentary soundtrack song Change is Now) but there's lots to like: Twangy country licks, baroque harmonies, Beatlesy pop melodies, raga drones, psychedelic production tricks, horns, slides, and synths and the occasional blues rock guitar solo - it all comes together better than you'd think in this controlled concise experiment in hippy indulgence. After the elaborate Sgt Pepper-sounding composition of Artificial Energy, the vibes chill out and we get a more blissed out ethereal California sound. The spacey-drone stuff in particular is really good and genre-setting for more exploratory instrumental psych, garage, and high-desert metal.
Meh
Music: 🌈 Lyrics: 💣
Amazing really enjoyed the dolphin and tribe song on b side
I don't know why I remembered that Notorious Byrd was a rap, unpleasant.
Gave this a second listen, just to confirm the 'meh'. Moog raga ... TF? Vigorously hated that! Liked the last track, 'Universal Mind Decoder (Alternate Backing Track)', the most. A good old fashioned 'talent' tanty. Lol. And then Wikipedia tells me about the 'staffing' problems they had; uhuh, yeah ... makes sense. Didn't really dislike it. Just not something I'd buy. 2.5
I couldn’t get into this one much. It was hard to distinguish the music and the vocals, it kind of merged into a jumbled noise.
Moog!
Just tolerable
Typical late 60's vanilla hippie music, not my jam maaaannn.
A little less country and a bit more rock to compliment the psychedelic vibe would’ve made this more enjoyable for me.
I really love the mystical, soft, and experimental nature of this. Love all the different instruments that are played with too. Crosby hasn't missed so far.
No more Byrds please. I think this was at least the third ftom them. Wasn't there a solo project thing too? It was just kinda there. I felt numb to it. No more Byrds!
Grooovy, easy listening. Some of these songs are great, some others forgettable.
So glad I got to hear and discover this. I love the style and cool info about the Moog. Also loved the Triad song.
I never knew there was a horse in this band.
Cool jangle rock; realized how much Beachwood Sparks sounds like the Byrds.
Just when I thought I had the Byrds pegged (in the sense that I think their music is fine but ultimately uninteresting to me), I get tossed yet another one of their albums (is every one of their albums on this list), and it turns out that it's actually good and I like it. What the hell, Byrds? It's a bit weird to me that the two Byrds albums that I enjoyed the most were the ones without David Crosby, despite the fact that I like his work with CSNY. It just feels like they are more willing to experiment in these albums, rather than trying to be psychedelic Bob Dylan. There was apparently a ton of songwriting talent in this band just waiting to get out of it's folk rock cage and explore other styles 4/5
Couple of good songs, like Sweetheart of the Rodeo much better.
I'm wondering (as many others, I presume) why these guys are not so recognized as much as The Beatles or The Beach Boys. Maybe they are not the best on this comparison; it's a matter of taste, and I don't think they are the best. However, it has everything here: the experimentalism, the psychedelia, the "feeling good" rock n' roll, everything! Maybe the problem with Crosby affected their reputation not to be so recognized worldwide as the most famous band. I'm happy to discover them on the 1001 list, even if I do not enjoy every song.
3/11, 27%
that moog raga was embarassing
Different sound and quite modern for the sixties. Another direction compared to their other albums.
Do not need another Byrds album on here.
Moving away from the sound and style of the previous albums, that I really love. A lot of credit has been given to this album for its Experimentarium approach, but I general find it boring, with only a few songs with the quality of earlier material
I had a long drive ahead of me, so it's a bit of a shame I got this album - nothing really stuck in my head from it and it was all a little bit background music. Nothing terrible about it, just nothing that I particularly want to listen to again.
Now I like it even more then before. It’s a really great record which shows the best sides of this band.
It was cool. Felt super short and without anything super memorable for me but I liked it enough.
Nice 👍
I really want to love the Byrd's. I get their influence but every album I listen to falls flat for me. Their are no doubt some moments of brilliance but this being my third Byrd's album on this list, I wonder what other albumin could be exposed to instead
Laid-back and chill stuff that I was kinda jamming to ngl.
Their best album in particular due to the two King/Coffin songs but overall it is a timeless classic of course.
Did not care much for this slightly annoying hippie music.
Fine, high quality songs. I also liked the droning closer Space Odyssey.
BEST SONGS: -Draft Morning -Moog Raga (Instrumental)
Nothing personal, but I can't stand this kind of flaccid 60s rock. Every single one of these albums to come, and I know there's a lot, will be a drag :(
Not my favourite Byrds album, but still the Byrds so 5 stars.
Feels weirdly like the Beatles, but very much enjoyed listening to this - apart from the last track which I frankly skipped over, wasn't in the mood for a 14 minute jam. It feels very experimental in the same way that the late Beatles was, and I actually found the sound to be somewhat similar (you can really see the Beatles influence here).
The Byrds have a classic 60s sound. But this is not a top album IMO.
HL: “Goin Back”, “Draft Morning”, “I Wasn’t Born To Follow”, “Get To You”, “Old John Robertson” Little step up from “Younger Than Yesterday”; it takes the country & psychedelic elements and pushes them further so you get a more diverse set of songs. My favourite is “Get to You”, which sounds like the Byrds’ take on baroque pop 4* July 31st, 2023
absolutely has the sound of a 60s album, but for once it works in its favor with some really good songs like goin' back, draft morning, and change is now. nothing particularly weak too (except maybe dolphins smile).
I've heard several Byrds album and found them a bit jungle jangle dull. Never heard thus and its really good. Will play again. Enjoy your 4 !
This album represents a major transition for the Byrds. David Crosby was fired halfway through the sessions and we hear one of the earliest uses of the Moog synthesizer. The Byrds still lean heavily into their psychedelic folk sound but temper it with more explicit country rock influences that would be more fully explored on their next album. Overall, this album is interesting for the development it shows musically as the Byrds head out of the 60s.
Als tiener veel gedraaid en snap nog steeds waarom ik 't toen tof vond, hoewel het allemaal wel wat fletser klinkt vergeleken met mijn herinnering.
Een 3. Wat moet ik daar nog meer over zeggen?
Ging aan me voorbij.
Well Interesting and not. I can’t really decide - at times it’s a pretty listen, at times the same record is tedious. But what’s for sure this is a record’s record. This songs are stitched well together and not simply a collection of unrelated tunes. They are greater together than the sum of their parts.
Interesting. 60's folk-rock-pop with a bit of psychedelia and some country thrown in for good measure.
I enjoyed that one.
Cool.
I have to imagine that many of these tracks were quite progressive for their time. Trippy in a good way.
Some pretty fun ditties on this album! I wonder what instrument the horse played.
Snooze fest
Pretty solid album, kind of epitomizes the sound of the late 60s. Politically charged lyrics, lots of experimenting with sounds and instruments, etc.
Ah the Byrds. Talented folks that just get way to obsessed with being super psychedelic and it creates some really bad tracks. Good stuff on here though.
Yet another example of an album that has not aged well
I like The Byrds, but I've never really understood the reverence for them. Many of their best songs were covers of Bob Dylan songs. That said, this album is enjoyable background music, but the only song that really grabbed me was "Goin' Back" and it's a Goffin/King cover.
I’m excited to hear more from The Byrds today. Mr Tamborine Man was a great album, and I’ve enjoyed the music from Crosby, Stills & Nash (& Young) too. I’m hopeful for today’s album, so let’s listen and find out if it holds up! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Goin’ Back, Change Is Now As expected, I really quite enjoyed this. It’s hard to describe just how pleasing the vocal harmonies are with The Byrds, and the guitar playing is also very identifiable. It’s a little bit twangy and country in places, and you can easily see how they were considered one of the most influential bands of the 60’s. The music is interesting as well as catchy, and makes for a very comfy listen. I could listen to this if I was having a down day, and I think it would make me a bit happier.
the compiler loves the byrds almost as much as SHACK loves riding shotgun in a porsche.
Darwin Nunez's favourite band
good
Definitely soft rock. Clean instrumental and lyrics.
This may or may not be regarded as "experimental" for its time, but on a straight up listen, it sounds like fairly standard "sixties music" - very dated with only occasional flashes of bringing something new to the table. But as "sixties music" goes, it's not bad.
Interested blend of styles, in an era when there weren’t that many to work with.
I understand what's good about this. I think this album was a necessary step in the development of music, but I don't recommend going back to it anymore. It's a little too sweet for me. Production sounds very thin. The B-side is more interesting than the A-side. Favorite song: tribal gathering.
Nothing peticurlary caught my ear.
I couldn’t get into this hippy stuff. Never heard of them before. Sounds like a band that would play early at Woodstock.
An unheralded classic of the Byrds discography. It is unlike anything before or after, thought is shows nods to both eras of the band. Roger McGuinn, Chris Holland, and Michael Clark were ready to move beyond David Crosby but not fully ready to embrace the country rock of Sweetheart of the Radio that would follow.
Das Album hört sich einfach nach einem klassischen rock 70s an und ich liebe es. Mochte den stil sehr
Featuring their trademark of lovely harmony vocals, jangly guitars and melodic songs, there's also some disorienting psychedelic touches, synthethsizers and sound effects. As per the previous albums, it's quite a short album, but a heck of a lot happens in under 30 minutes. It's production is shimmering and the mood is generally quite hazy. It's a fab LP to drift away on a lovely summer afternoon.
Just a bit dull, one song got close to interesting.
Nice enough, easily recognisable but not really all that memorable.
Fine. Not my thing really.
Largely forgettable songs; pleasant to listen along to; nice melodic vibes.
That was a passable album. Could listen all the way through. I'm unlikely to ever reach for it.
No I'd rather go and journey Where the diamond crescent's glowing And run across the valley Beneath the sacred mountain And wander through the forest Where the trees have leaves of prisms And break the light in colors That no one know the names of And when it's time I'll go and lay Beside the legendary fountain 'Till I see her form reflected In its clear and jewelled waters And if you think I'm ready You may lead me to the chasm Where the rivers of our visions Flow into one another I will want to dive beneath the white cascading waters She may beg, she may plead, she may argue with her logic And mention all the things I'll lose That really have no value in the end she will surely know I wasn't born to follow Its pretty hippy-dippy shit, but its actually pretty good too. Giving the album a 3 due to its only having one outstanding track, though. 3/5
OMG this is gonna be so 60's.
Good, but runs out of steam in the second half.
old boy white blues rock n roll stuff. not that exciting.
This is an album that I can 100% see people either loving or hating. It is very consistent, in that no one song stands out as any better than the others (to me). It is a very weird album because it doesn't really fit in a specific category to me. The first song is definitely classic rock with what sounds like (to me at least) some R&B influence with the horns, then the next tracks are strictly classic rock but also kind of sound like proto-country rock with some banjo and maybe even mandolin usage but they also have some harder rock influence on "Draft Morning" as well, then by the time we get to like "Old John Robertson" we are definitely in country-rock or folk-rock territory and then at the end they throw a big middle finger to us by adding a couple psych-rock songs like "Dolphin's Smile" and "Space Odyssey". Somehow though with all this the album still sounds extremely cohesive to the point that I had to re-listen to the album just to pick out the songs. I usually don't agree with the idea that you need to listen to an album all the way through but this is one that I definitely think you need to. It is just too weird and I feel like you would not get much out of just listening to random songs off the album in a playlist. Personally though I like the album a lot and I think it is a great easy listen but I definitely think that I would have to be in a specific mood to listen. I think I would give this an 8.5/10.
Minus Croz and yet to add Gram Parsons, this could have been something of a transitional moment for the Byrds. And it is, though it also manages the neat trick of being sublime as well. A potpourri grab bag, past present and future of psych rock in under half an hour. Far out.
Wow, 60's boy band?! I wonder if they are doing a riff off the Beatles/Beachboys? ...They are. I really am not a fan of this style of singing/music in general. It isn't super interesting in the way the singing is delivered, and many times the instrumental is just pretty bare bones. I'm sure this has good themes and the lyrics talk about something important but it's hard to judge lyrics only by listening to a song once and I'm not subjecting myself to multiple listenings of this album. This isn't terrible by any means, but it is not remotely good either. I will say they seem to be trying to do interesting things experimenting with early phasing (unless that is an issue with the recording) A solid 2/5 to strong 2/5
Pretty decent!
Cute, pretty music
Ok
Usually love this era of music but pretty boring. Get to You and Old John Robertson are my favorites.
Mostly bad. Tribal gathering was ok.
Such a hard album to rate because it's a mixed bag for me. It starts off with three fantastic songs, then it's mostly boring songs with a few good songs mixed in. I really like the lyrics and instrumentation of the more psychedelic songs. If the whole album was like Artificial Energy and Natural Harmony it would get a perfect score from me. 3.5/5
Ill
Swag album!
Decent