Sweetheart Of The Rodeo

Great album. I'm still partial to psychedelic Byrds and folk-rock Byrds, but yeehaw Byrds hits hard.

War ok, aber jetzt auch nicht mehr. Gebraucht habe ich es persönlich nicht.

Ist grade nicht so ein Lauf für mich. Finde ich tatsächlich ganz ok gemacht, aber es wiederholt sich auf Albumlänge zu sehr.

I think this is my favourite kind of music when the lyrics are about sin. They are not about sin on this record.

"Yeah, but it sound like the Byrds, man. We're not folk-rock, man." That's whatever I think of when someone mentions The Byrds and it's probably one of the reasons I've done everything to avoid them. But here we are and I was expecting this album to be a disaster. This is a lot better than I thought it'd be. The Gram Parsons influence is legit...honky tonk sounds, pedal steel. It's a really great album. And I'm not even a huge Gram Parsons fan from what I've heard of his solo stuff but this was a real pleasant surprise.

They sure as shit don’t play this at any rodeo. I’ve ever been to.

4eme album proposé pour ce groupe, après 3 autres que je n'avais pas apprécié (notés 2/5). Celui-ci n'est pas plus intéressant, et malheureusement le rock est ici remplacé par de la country, que je déteste… =>1/5

Hits like a country album rather than folk rock. Might be the banjo-ish guitar work.

Rate: 6/10.

Graham!

This one has been with me most of my life. I grew up in a house where folk-country and alt-country were sacred music, and this is one of the canonical texts. As a result there is a lot of it that I don't really care to hear most days... I only heard the hokiness and the schmaltz in the first few tracks anymore. Yet I'll never not love "Hickory Wind." In fact revisiting it for the project I realize how much I truly love the less prominent songs, which pushes it up to a four for me.

I thought The Byrds were a more general rock sound than this, but I guess I was wrong. This is pretty transparently country rock. It's also pretty good country rock. This is pretty meat and potatoes, so the aethetic here isn't as significant than the songs in my opinion. But they make up for it by being generally good. I wouldn't say this is one of my personal favorite takes on the country sound, but I did enjoy it. I may even check it out again in the future.

It’s crazy how influential this album would become not only for country rock, but country music in general. Idk why it took until now to realize this is exactly the sound that popped off in the mainstream in the 70s. This record is interesting. There’s 2 OG members of the band left at this point. The band basically became a revolving door after 67. Graham Parsons joins the band for this album, and leaves with Chris Hillman to make the burrito bros. (Who I actually prefer to the byrds country rock wise) All this to say, the influence is clear. For me personally though, this record leans a bit too trad country for my taste. That’s what time will do to an album like this. Fav: Lazy Days (check out the flying burrito bros version, it’s the more polished version)

This was country musics origins wow. This is interesting but there is not that much here. I liked the songs but it felt like treaded water. You’re still on my mind is goated tho. Life in prison is awesome it’s good but it’s the Byrds I can’t hate it’s just classic and enjoyable and easy listening

Not my genre but liked it more than I was expecting

Pretty darn tootin boring

Will come back to this

Kjedelig, denne.

Cute, wholesome little country record. Very twangy and stereotypical of a country production, but still possesses some charm. Not my favorite of the country, but it's solid overall.

What the absolute fuck is this? Did The Byrds have enough of making good, memorable music and decide to put out some 2nd tier country garbage? Im not against the odd experimental country album per se (e.g., Sticky Fingers), but you need to back it up (e.g., Sticky Fingers). This is terrible.

Like me some Honky Tonk and the harmonies were nice, but overall not really something I’ll revisit

me senti pessoalmente atacado com esse muito ruim filho

tipo assim. bacana que foi mto importante pro country rock e tal. e eh interessante como o the byrds realmente fugiu da zona de conforto do ROCK e caiu de cabeça pra fazer esse album aí. mas eh aquilo né. meio xoxo.

The Byrds great the Byrds doing C and W we shall see. I'm not totally adverse to this type of music so I found this pleasant enough. Your Still on my Mind is a good song as is Pretty Boy Floyd. I enjoyed this.

Byrds attempt at country was good but I enjoy their folk renditions more.

Good for what it is. Was never a big fan of The Byrds though

A great song (a cover), a smidgen of bluegrass, and a whole lot of the Grand Ole Opry.

Muy bien

This country album is a big sad miss for me. They definitely went full formula here: sorrow over a lost love (check), turning my life around for Jesus (check), mountains - preferably Rockies (check). It's just too twangy and repetitive for me.

Really enjoyed the country and psychedelic vibes this had going on

Absolutely not. Stop it! I expect a written apology and a refund of $100 for being made to listen to this.

Yeee haw! Not at all what I was expecting based on what I know of the Byrds. Meh. Not really my cup of tea - super twangy hillbilly music. I suppose it’s good if you’re into that kind of thing. Then it drops the major twang for One Hundred Years From Now, You Got A Reputation, and Lazy Days (which are decent songs)... what the heck? (2.5)

yeeehaaaaw, no me motiva el rollo country cristiano, la portada mola tho y la mayoría son escuchables, no lo terminé

Byrds are always nice to hear. This is their somewhat softer and more Country-tinged album. Not the most revered when it came out but probably their most influential Album. Responsible for a lot of stuff I like and a lot of stuff I find boring. luckily the Byrds know how to ride a song and always manage to stay on the interesting side of this. Nice harmonies, guitar playing and songs that fly by. Byrds albums are just a treat.

I'll admit it, I just let this wash over me without paying a vast amount of attention but nothing much stood out as demanding that attention.

Gear: ZMF Bokeh Closed Artwork: 👩‍🌾🌼♥️ Production (Legacy Edition): 🎛️🙄🤷 Music: 🦠🍻🪕 Rating: 🐂/5

I guess I just don't understand country music

And suddenly, The Byrds have gone country. After the jangly folk rock and psychedelia of their earlier records, 𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘰 feels like a genuine break with what came before. The shift is bold and the band commits to it completely, but I still find myself missing the sound I normally associate with The Byrds. The country material is well played and often charming, yet it never pulls me in quite as much as their earlier work. An important change of direction, certainly, but not the Byrds album I would reach for first.

In which 21-year-old Gram Parsons pulls perhaps the greatest Trojan horse maneuver in the history of rock 'n' roll, joining the venerable institution of The Byrds to unleash a full album of good old country on the rock and pop masses.

3/5

Another "not what I was expecting" album. To be honest though, I didn't really know what to expect. The wikipedia notes indicate this album was one of the instigators of the country-rock genre, which is not really something I'm thrilled about. I made it about 2/3rds of the way through and was getting bored. It wasn't bad, like The Cramps, just boring. I'm going to bend my grading rules slightly and give it 2 stars.

I found the album to be a bit too country for me but I still can tell that they're talented musicians and their music is objectively good. The song I liked the most was Pretty Polly

A very inoffensive and generic country rock album with some Christian bullshit sprinkled in. Ah, I don't know, 2.5, I guess. It's a fine soundtrack to mow the lawn to, probably.

In the almost 300 albums I've listened to from this list, there have only been about 5 or 6 country albums. To come across one from a band that is one of my favorite psychedelic oldies songs is wild. This album is what this list is about.

No. Just no. Not for me.

Country rock eh? Hit or miss. But I like some of the songs tho.

yawnfest. great cover tho!

This wasn't bad at all, but just felt like a basic standard country album. Like it was good, but kinda got old. Every song blended together. Liked Songs: "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" , "The Christian Life" , "You're Still On My Mind" , "Pretty Boy Floyd" , "One Hundred Years from Now" , "Life in Prison" , "Pretty Polly'

Late 60s folk rock with country flavour. Very mid.

I enjoyed this it was good for a lazy Sunday morning Playlist add: “Blue Canadian Rockies”

one of my favorite albums

A little too hick for me. I didn't realize the Birds were so country western. Maybe I'm thinking of the Byrds for the British invaders.

I have always found the Byrds to be pleasant yet twangy, skilled yet unimpressive. I don't like country much, and while early country has some great songs and albums, this veers a little too far into the stereotypical territory that would mar the genre in the coming years. The Byrds had strong harmonies, and a strong sense of arrangement—I just don't really connect with them.

I expected another boring 60’s rock album, but instead got The Byrds country album. Good for what it is, but every song kinda sounded the same. I think I preferred it to their other albums, but nothing more than a 2 for me.

First Listen Favorites: You Ain't Goin Nowhere You're Still On My Mind Pretty Polly Honorable Mentions: You Don't Miss Your Water One Hundred Years from Now

ràs

You Ain’t Goin Nowhere without listening to this.

Regarded for its influence on the California Sound, whatever that is, Sweetheart of the Rodeo is certainly an album you must hear before you die. This sounds like The Byrds experimenting with Country. Gram Parsons definitely adds a flavor, more herbal than spicy. The ubiquity of the slide verges on annoying and feels layered on. And they don’t commit to trad country or bluegrass or blues (think Hank Williams). Hickory Wind and 100 Years are certainly standouts. Well executed and well crafted, mostly. Still feels like outsiders to the genre paying homage more than a deeply felt, sincere work. Cool lookin’ cover though.

A classic

6/10… folk / country / *1968

I heard the first two songs of this album and I couldn’t listen to the rest. The music genre of this album was difficult for me to appreciate, let alone enjoy.

Oh yeah I was just thinking to myself I needed to support a born again wife murderer. What luck

Nice harmonies but very traditional country sounding. Not really my thing.

I like country rock, but this was bland.

When I saw the Byrds were next up I was quite excited. I've heard a little of their music and was keen to discover more. Sadly, this album cured me of that. I didn't enjoy it, I've decided to blame the presence of Gram Parsons, I didn't enjoy his album on this list either. In some ways I have the same criticism of this album that I had of his one - it is a bit blancmange - ok but bland

Disappointing

The lack of appreciation for Gram Parsons’ contributions on the list is disheartening.

It sounds all the same

As for The Byrds, there’s good news and bad news when compared to their debut album, which I recently reviewed. The good news: On “Sweetheart of the Rodeo", they’re no longer trying to sound like The Beatles. The bad news: While their own sound is unmistakable, it’s nowhere near as exciting as what they released in 1965. Instead, we get relatively smooth country/folk rock. It’s a valid approach, but it clearly doesn’t come close to “Mr. Tambourine Man".

It's the byrds, its pretty good. That's what I would have said, if I didn't read the reviews and see all the negative words about this album. This album is good, Playing covers in a different genre is cool actually. The maytals playing country road,etc. Dorian Electra's new album interpolates Classics into modern hyperpop EDM. You don't have to like it but it's at creative and interesting and it's cool that real artists do it and not just youtube folks. Anyways this album was nice to listen to and seems inventive.

I don't really know what to make of this in terms of whether I liked it or not. It's a country album played by rock musicians which sometimes shows through. I'm not really much for the style but the talent is there, and weirdly the songs that are written to be something else (the Dylan covers especially) translate really well. There is a crossover for folk and country obviously but I was surprised when I looked up the details. The Parsons songs are easily the worst ones on here - you can tell they weren't country songs originally and they just sound like folk songs sung by someone with an accent. It's strange to me that there are more than a few albums in this list that are largely covers, but at least these take the time to push a new style on them. I think this may have been the first proper country-rock album, if such a thing exists, and for that it deserves some plaudits, but other than that I didn't find too much here I personally really loved.

country as fuck. and not in a good way for me

Old country

This Grams Parsons led album sees the Byrds unwittingly give birth to alternative-country with a heavy emphasis on country. Filled with roots-rock and Americana waltzes, traditional songs, and the required Dylan cover, one’s mileage will depend on how much they can tolerate country music. The instrumentation, playing, arrangements, and singing all are top-notch. This is a strong 3 and could be a 4.

Far too twangy.

I enjoyed all the previous Byrds albums much more than this. Other than You Got a Reputation which to me has Beach Boys vocals on top of a traditional country sound, it's pretty traditional.

If you're a fan of the folky, psychedelic sound of The Byrds on their earlier albums with David Crosby, you might find "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" a bit challenging. Not only is Crosby’s distinctive voice missing from the harmonies, but it’s also a bona fide country and western album, musically speaking. If you can’t get to grips with that, this fifth album by the band will be almost unlistenable to you. It teems with pedal steel guitars, banjos and fiddles, and the songs are in a slow 3/4 waltz time. With this album, the Byrds were attempting a change of direction. Their success proved them right. "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" is the band’s last truly successful album, and they went on to release six more albums with various line-ups. But I simply find it dreadful. While it is certainly well-made — Gram Parsons, who was essentially a guest on the album, played a significant role — as someone with a phobia of country music, I find the album almost unlistenable.

I was under the impression that The Byrds were more of a hippie/psychedelic rock band and less of a Christian country rock band…

Another fine album that didn't have any true standout moments for me.

1.25 - I thought the Byrds were going to be like the Beatles. No thanks on this.

Hard to see where the innovation was here, as it was just country by a non-country band.

A bit too country for me.

I'm roughly 70 percent completed in this journey, and I've figured out one thing(if nothing else): whenever a subgenre is labeled both "Rock", and "Country", that means it's a Country album. Don't ask me why; I don't make the rules. It's not like I'm a fan of the Byrds anyway, but their honky tonk album is just peak cringe. It's hee-hawful. On top of this, these are mainly cover songs. Luckily, it's a short album. Favorite Track: "Nothing Was Delivered".

It’s fine but how many Byrds albums do we need on here?

This is so cute. I love country. I am not in fact going anywhere. Me when I'm a pilgrim. Very Christian music. Which country often is but this is very christian. Not necessarily bad, I actually do like it but it's just kinda evangelical as hell. The singles may be the best tracks. Canada mention. I'll let you know in a few years what's going on in a hundred years from you. If I have to keep studying this bullshit I may not make it through. l*ddel count your days. Blue Canadian rockies. Speak on it. I didn't know they were blue. I love lake Louise. I mean good music cute country vibes. Canadian cabin music. Nice. Kinda lost it in the middle but got it back somewhat. Enjoyable. Favourite: I Am A Pilgrim Least favourite: The Christian Life

Honestly I was not expecting a honky tonk jamboree here, so that was obviously a little disappointing. However, the songs which are legitimately country ROCK are super solid, and it's especially cool knowing this is basically where it all started. I don't hate the rest of it, and maybe if I listened to the lyrics with a bit more of a discerning ear, I'd find more to love. For my first foray into The Byrds I am so confused, but not necessarily mad at it. Fave tracks: - You Ain't Goin' Nowhere - You Don't Miss Your Water - You're Still On My Mind - Hickory Wind - One Hundred Years from Now - Nothing Was Delivered - You Got A Reputation - Lazy Days

I would understand if this was ironic but they're seriously trying to play country in 1968 Parsons did so much better on his own with the Flying Burrito Brothers

Occasional moments of beauty can't really save this turgid nonsense

3.82

meh

I loved it, not just for nostalgia reasons. I was the rare person at that time who liked Nirvana but was perplexed by their huge fame. This album changed my mind - I could finally understand it. I love the covers, particularly “The Man Who Sold The World .”

When the first track came on I thought “this sounds like all my favorite Grateful Dead tracks” and I was happy second track left me a little flat. Third track was religious treacle and I hit the skip button. There were a couple fun old timey tracks that I liked and a classic honky tonk waltz which is a thing I like but there was nothing special about it. Hits and misses and a lot of just fine I guess.

A legendary album which is part of the larger Byrds Story ... so many supposedly great albums ... so many personnel changes (so Many Genes! So many Clark(e)s!) ... so many changes in musical direction -- all packed into about five years. It's beyond even Fleetwood Mac from Then Play On to Heroes Are Hard to Find. But whenever I try to take on the Byrds catalog, I find the albums tedious and hard to finish. The big songs are great, the rest is a mixed, mediocre bag. This album adds to that heady mix the glamor of Gram Parsons ("you'll be my Gram and Johnny too" -- the legend lives on, thanks to First Aid Kit) .... a brilliant rich kid genius streaking across the sky, changing music -- no, revolutionizing music -- before destroying himself like an opioid-winged Icarus. A man who went after the rock n roll lifestyle so enthusiastically that Keith Richards -- Keith Richards !!!! -- thought, Oy, bloke, you gotta take it easy a bit and understand limits. The legend says this album is amazing. And the title is very cool and memorable. And the music (billed as a game changing document in the history of country rock) ... is country played so a rock audience can understand it, I guess? I don't even know. It's just ... fully competent, kind of slow and boring ... country. I don't get it !!!! And I don't especially like it. It's fine, I guess. I think, once again, all I've done here is demonstrate that I am apt to overthink things, and I'm not even effective at it. Overthought Irresolution is not the worst, but it's on the Top Songs list by The Worst.

I was surprised how much I liked this. I feel like I had preconceived notions about this band that were totally wrong. it was definitely a mellow album to listen to well doing stuff around the house. I would add it to my playlist

I don't know what to think. I thought my penchant for 60s folk artists would mean I would love this album. It's often mentioned as a touchstone for country folk and folk rock. But I really didn't care for this. Just so boring. Up to now I would have said I love harmonizing generally but between this and the CSNY album maybe I don't actually?

Don't hate all country music but was pretty bored with this

Mas divertido

This might be my favourite of The Byrds albums I have been introduced to this year

I think I was a bit distracted when listening to this but even so it kind of passed me by and didn’t really grab me like earlier Byrds albums

Enjoyed this a lot - thought that it maybe tailed off a little but the first 3-4 tracks are lovely. Solid 3