Sweetheart Of The Rodeo

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

“Hanging out with Gram” 🎶🎶🎶🎶 One of my favourite Byrds LPs, thank you for sharing RGP. 4 stars ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Tom.

I mean, I don't feel any particular way about this tbh. Very whatever. 2

Too much banjo and Christianity for my taste 1.5

Countryrock som är mer country än rock. You're Still on My Mind, Life in Prison och Pretty Boy Floyd bäst. 3,5 av 5.

Really boring..

Don't really like Country music, don't really like the Byrds, but this album is not terrible.

I’m absolutely delighted that the generator blessed me with back-to-back country albums this weekend 🙄 I can at least appreciate this one a bit more and it wasn’t as insulting to my intelligence as Steve Earle but this just isn’t for me.

Confession: I like country

What’s the difference between country rock and country? I don’t know either. Maybe the hippies should just stay in their lane. We’d all be happier that way.

There is no questioning the musical talents of the members of The Byrds. The music on this album is good but I don’t think the country-rock songs are as enjoyable as their other works.

If John Denver made a rap album, what are the chances you’d like it? If Jay-Z puts out a Christmas album, I damn sure wouldn’t expect it to be good. If Taylor Swift goes krunk, why get down for that ride? So, why would you expect a country album from classic rockers The Byrds to be any different? Experimenting with new styles is fine, but a whole soulless, knock-off album? Just stay in your lane and leave terrible country music to those terrible country musicians who make it their specialty. On second thought, I’d like to hear the Jay-Z Christmas album …

Interesting how even in the 60s when a bands luster starts to fade they just turn Country to extend their career. Simple formula and fans are easy to please I suppose. Bad music, bad songs, bad album.

Just. No.

Well... that was unexpected. Though, given the title, perhaps it shouldn't have been. But whatever, that doesn't change the fact that I found it very disappointing. Not helped, of course, by the fact that I don't like country. Mr Tambourine Man must be turning in his grave (or some such similar for fictitious characters). Sorry, but its a 1.

Awful

I gave thus a good go after trying and ultimately failing not to judge a record by its cover. Turn turn turning C&W and swapping out Crosby for Parsons. It had no chance. It was so cliche ridden, nearly all the songs sounded the same and same style. Not good. I was particularly revolted by the lyrics of 'The Christian Life'. This is from a band who started with so much potential in their early years and turned to this trash? If I could give it a 0 I gladly would, but out of misplaced Christian charity (if such a thing exists) I shall issue forth with the standard 1 sheriff badge.

Snoozefest. The musicianship & songwriting is “fine”, but I find this meandering country vibe so tedious and even when making a conscious effort to listen, it fades into the background. I guarantee I will forget all about this album and that’s okay. Nothing about it is terrible but it bores me. 4/10.

Why be a combination of silver beetles and Zimmerman when you can be a combination of Hank Williams and Hank Williams

Pretty horrible to listen to. I don't get it. 2/5

I found the vocals very soothing, more like 3.5

Come on... This sucks

(i) You can tell if it's a decent album by the numbers - the first track is 9 time more popular than the next ranked. It's a one track + filler timewaster. (ii) Whoever thought that this band is the missing link between the Beatles and Dylan needs their head examined. This very weak gruel. At best it's a competent country album. If they could have just been satisfied with that, they'd be more credible.

4 stars

I had no idea that the Byrds made a country album. Definitely not what I associate them with by knowing some of their hit songs. If you are into the history of how albums came to be, the story of this one is fascinating between Gram Parsons being in the band for such a short time and completely steering them in a different direction, to them basically getting booed off the stage at the Grand Ole Opry, to them losing a big chunk of their fan base for going "country". I also had no idea how influential they were on what became "country rock". I do find it a bit interesting that this was considered to be one of the first "country rock" albums, because I found it to be much more "traditional" country, including some covers of very traditional country songs. For me personally, it's a bit too twangy. I was never a country music fan, but I've come to really like some of the modern country rock stuff, but I still struggle getting into more "true" country and that's how this plays for me. But not a bad listen and I'm glad this popped up to learn about the album and its impact on so many artists that came after.

Sweetheart of the Rodeo feels like the Byrds taking a left turn into country and somehow landing on something warm, easy, and quietly addictive. It surprised me because it shouldn’t work—but the harmonies, the Parsons glow, and that laid‑back swing make it a country detour that’s shockingly easy to enjoy. I have added it to my album rotation.

From what I had already known of The Byrds, I wouldn’t have been able to say they’d have a wonderful country album; but here we are.

One of my favorite albums. I’d play this on repeat any day.

It reminds me of Self-Portrait and Bob’s Christian run of albums—just not quite as loosey-goosey or interesting. Still pleasant, though.

Probably the origin of the drunken honky tonk that Neil would turn into high art on Tonight's the Night (which is probably my favorite album ever?). Right up my alley. In 2017 in Nashville, when I was a freshman in college, I went to a Thanksgiving house party of philosophers—some amateur and some professional—and had one of the great conversations of my life with a twenty-two-year-old senior named Samm. He said a lot of weird stuff, but the two things that remain: "The music of The Beatles should be the cornerstone of all elementary education" and "Sweetheart of the Rodeo is the best album of all-time." Not sure if I'd go that far now, but this is good stuff. Where in the world is Samm? UPDATE: I searched him on Facebook, and this is, not kidding, the first post that came up. I don't think it's the same guy, lol... "Just want to wake up from this nightmare and see my son again. Life has a fucked up sense of humor, first life takes my best friend Adam years ago and now I have to say goodbye to my son Adam. WTF"

Little too preachy for me

I don’t care for Country and or Western

A classic of country rock. Sometimes almost seems like they are making fun of country. 100 Years from Now is a classic

Potent record with country-styled songs with a bit of blues taste. Not being a fan of the genre, I consider this truly well-made, especially this gentle voice and occasionally great instrumental parts which are otherwise just decent. The sound gets repetitive at times but mostly is fine and enjoyable, hence a B here.

The Byrds are not a band I really ever liked much to begin with; a twangy country version is going to be a struggle. I mean I guess it's cool that this was one of the first records in what would become a new genre, but like, I hate that genre. And I'm kind of getting tired of all these albums from 1966-1969. It seems that short space of time is disproportionally represented here. Of late at least. It's pretty much what I expected, 'country rock' is not what I would call it though I can see how that genre came out of this. This is a straight up country album. Christian Life is hilarious. Unless it's serious and then it's not so funny so I hope it was tongue-in-cheek. If it was meant in jest, I would guess it went over the heads of most of the Christians anyway. But I really hate this album. Not the fault of The Byrds, I just hate this kind of music. The recording, instrumentation, vocals, etc. are all fine but goddam I can't stand it. Today is another day I have to remember that this list is 1001 albums to hear before you die, not 1001 albums you want to hear before you die. Was it an important album that deserves to be on this list? Yes I suppose so. But I hate it. A lot. 1/5

4.1/5 some good old boys country

Overall Rating - 3.25/5 (6.50/10). Would never have figured The Byrds to do a real, honest-to-God Country album. It's fun, it's good, and it's a little disconcerting.

I get why it’s legendary; it started an entire genre. But I don’t know that it holds up as a great album itself.

You’re not Marty Robbins. You’re not Waylon Jennings, or Willie Nelson. You’re not even Johnny Cash. You’re a privileged pretender and I’m glad you’re dead. This is the U2, or Coldplay, of country music.

Das ist mir zu religiös, und zu stark country für die byrds . Noch OK denn You ain't going nowhere ist schon gut

Net schlecht aber nicht so mein Ding

3.5

Context: "'Sweetheart Of The Rodeo' changed the world of progressive country music forever, and it was a wild thing to experience back in 1968." Rating: Sucks in 2026. 2/5.

I listened to an over hour and a half country album yesterday, so imagine my surprise when I see this one today. Fortunately a much quicker album plus its The Byrds. I still did expect more from them, but it’s a fine album.

Really cool early country rock sound

I love The Byrds. This is a very good country rock album.

5/10

I'm sure this is important and influential and stuff but I found it boring as hell. The only thing that caught my ear was the absolutely dogshit soulless cover of "You Don't Miss Your Water." So boring I accidentally listened to the Special Edition Nonsense.

Another top-quality record from The Byrds. Gram Parsons' 'Hickory Wind' is the standout track on this album

What a nasty trick to play. I don't know EXACTLY what I was expecting, but it sure wasn't this. The Byrds 'Hey Mr Tambourine Man' jangly 60s feel has gone and been replaced by this horrible wet turd. It can't be the same band surely? Ah I see there have been some "musical differences" between then and now. And the introduction of Gram Parsons explains the flat singing on the tracks he's permitted to sing on...and also the common denominator between this and his solo album. I couldn't wait for both to end. Nasty.

Not my favorite, but still a good listen.

Gram Parsons plus the Byrds leaving the psych folk behind for Cosmic American Music. Precursor to the Flying Burrito Bros

It doesn't necessarily do anything new but what it does really well is refine the hell out of everything it does do. I'm definitely much more fond of the second half but the earlier tracks are solid enough.

This was a cool surprise, a country album by the Byrds. Gram Parsons did a great job as lead singer

Sounds like the belle of the ball killed the byrds with one stone. A band in turmoil and on a downward slide picks up a new member/zealot in an attempt to transition to the ever more popular country music - hippies go country. You have a couple of Dylan cover, a Chuck Berry inspired (best song) and some traditional folk songs, and you get a last ditch effort before going down like the Titanic. The Radio Spot at the end of the album sums up their desperation. (2.06*s) See, it is The Byrds. With eleven trips to the country - why not fly with them? ‘Cause the album is not that good. Makes The 1001 Must Hear List because it’s the first time a band tried to go country (and started the early county rock genre.) P.S. The Eagles may want to thank The Byrds for breaking the ice…

Not the Byrds I know and not the Byrds I prefer. Quite removed from their the early 60s psychedelia we are used to. Even though I did not like this album, I understand why it's a must listen based on the synopsis. Pretty adventurous to make such a pivot in genres. Nowadays, it's pretty common for artists to jump over to the pop-rock-country scene. But back in this era with a bunch of purest stiffs, much tougher to be accepted. Makes sense though that their original followers dropped them...I would have skipped this record in my collection if I was a big fan at the time. True country fans still need to convince me that the music is good. Even with the Byrds' valid attempt, the songs are still hokey corn. Between jazz and country, I'm just missing the appeal and praise. 1.18 stars for branching out but going the wrong route.

Surprised that this is considered the first country rock album as I would have figured those genres had crossed over much earlier. Sweetheart Of The Rodeo sounded like a lot of other run of the mill twangy country music from the time. I get why someone with country roots would enjoy something like this but it doesn't do much for me. I understand why this one makes the list but it doesn't mean I have to be a fan of it. There's certainly worse elsewhere but this one is just another skipper. 1.47 stars

Should never have sacked David Crosby. But then again would never have had CSN&Y. 1/5 2/8/26

this ain't for me chief

A nice country-rock album. More important historically, than musically. Low 4 stars

I've never quite gotten the hype for this album. Yeah, it's a big departure from their original sound, but it's such a departure, they don't really retain much of what made them great in the first place. Roger McGuinn trades his 12-string Rickenbacker for a banjo and it mostly just sounds like they're cosplaying the Louvin Brothers. Still, there is some good stuff here -- the two Dylan covers are great, as are the two originals from new member Gram Parsons. "One Hundred Years From Now" and "Nothing Was Delivered" do the best at sounding like a countrified version of the Byrds and I wish they leaned into that a bit more. 3.5 stars.

The Byrds but it’s all country. Not fussed.

A perfectly fine country rock album

This is a quite pleasant combination of country and rock, it mixes together very well and there's a lot of good songwriting here. That said, I don't think it's really for me. I don't know why but there's something that kept me from fully enjoying it. Maybe it felt a bit old fashioned, I dunno.

I thought I would enjoy this more than I did. It wasn’t bad, just didn’t feel overly genuine I suppose. The murder song kinda peaked my interest a bit, I don’t support the murder but the track itself was pretty good. 3 stars

No my favorite Byrds album, but I'm usually not big into country. Still good though and worth listening to.

So weird to have two Byrds albums basically back to back. This one wasn't my favorite- kind of like country meets folk meets pop rock? Not bad but no real standouts

I'm not much a fan of the 60s country style. If the Byrds had chosen a Hank William's style, that'd be great. They did do a bluegrass song. Anyway, I wish Graham Parsons had switched up some. 2.5/5

This kinda really blows, which I guess is what happens when you let Gram Parsons provide lead vocals for your album.

if i have any capacity in me to love the byrds as a total package i havent found it yet, i probably just need to actually sit down and give their albums Time like i did with neil young...i always appreciate the sound but i havent found my way into the actual Songs for the most part on their more classic records. all this is to say that you should take the fact that this is by Far my fave experience ive had listening to a byrds record so far with a grain of salt...i havent fully grasped the other stuff and this weird career outlier spearheaded by country iconoclast and flying burrito brother gram parsons isnt an immediate bridge into their other work. but god dude what a genuinely incredible country record, a lump of warm gold. the byrd's harmonies are such an amazing secret ingredient to deploy within a country context, and they really drive home what a viscerally beautiful experience this is from start to finish. parsons was indeed an iconoclast but it emerged from a place of deep love and respect for the fundamentals of the genre and how much Could be done with them...all in familiar melodic language but with a strength of songwriting and performance that demands my full attention and rewards it with such a sincere, pretty, inherently emotional sound. the hickory wind rendition here is every bit as blissful as their more iconic mr tambourine man style covers. the closing track nothing was delivered stole my breath when the chorus hit. i cant namecheck every song but man, even if the band at large clicks for me better someday, i cant imagine i wont rate this among their best

2/10 I was so confused when I put this album on and, it turned out to be a country record. They should’ve stuck to electric style music, they were good at it, For me the music on the album, mr tambourine, man sounds more interesting, feels like they stepped backwards 3 years later with this album. Didn’t mind the Christian life.

8/10 = ngl i was surprised with how much i liked this but i always forget that i actually like country music a lot, the guitar slide i think that's what it is was so nice and the whole album was easy and soothing to listen to and i would actually listen to this again, reminded me of o brother where art thou at points

Непоганий кантрі-рок, мені сподобалось. Поки що найкраще з того що я слухав у бьордс. Ставлю 3.5

2/5. Better stuff came out of the country-rock trend this album started

A relatively strong country album compared to others on this list. Unfortunately it isn't really my genre and there is just too much country in this list in general in my opinion. 3/5

The kings of Bob Dylan covers... Rest of the album was a nice mix of country and folk

Something about the novelty of 60's rock makes it enjoyable for me. Cool fact from Wikipedia: this was the first album widely recognized as country rock.

I wanted to like this more than I did, just too much country in the form I'm not a fan of. But, I learned today that Hickory Wind, a favorite song by a band called Idha was apparently a cover off this album. Byrds version is solid, but I still prefer the Idha version. :) Yuck. Another murder ballad with Life In Prison.

3 stars but I’m learning I’m a sucker for expanded editions where you can hear the band rehearsing their songs

7/10 – Good

normally i do like collages for each album on here, but honestly i dont even give a fuck enough to do that for this one

What the duck? How on earth is this album included in this list? I would rate zero. Of course I know this might be a pretty great country (or is it western? ;-) ) album, but that is not my music.

Another Byrds album, and yet more absolute tripe This has followed the same process as the Tambourine one. Each of the songs are pretty bad, but as a whole album it's awful I really hope there aren't any more of their albums on this list

#193/1001 🇺🇸 The Byrds go country with added Gram Parsons. Its the tracks where Gram's influence is more obvious that appeal most to me. Best Tracks: Hickory Wind, I Am A Pilgrim, You're Still On My Mind

Man, the best of the Byrds and a country rock classic.

Havr always found the Byrds to be bland and this detour into country does nothing to change that

Not for me. Over the top barroom country cosplay. Yucky.

nomel en vogul album? krass. die sind so country, ha immer gmeint sie seged psychedelischer. i like the christian life isch glaub chli funny? oder nöd? weisnöd? anschinend isch country rock nonig so es ding gsi vor dem album. lustig. hickory wind isch easy schön!

PARSONSSSSS ohh ja mega country! hmm s gaht chli ah mier verbii aber you're still on my mind hani recht cool gfunde, s klavier het durregeh! one hundres years from now isch megaa cute life in prison iach chli e crazy gschicht aber sehr cool als gegesatz zude musig, wo mega happy tönt de schluss hets nachli ufezoge aber für min country-untrainierte ohre isches halt na coole aber au chli langwilige country gsi

First country rock album and one that sets a high bar for country rock albums going forward. The songs are concise and the covers are done with that Byrds magic that they have shown from the start of their career. 4/5

I really tried, but I couldn't. Country music really gets on my wick.

Was prepared not to like this one from the description but I recognized the first song as one we used to sing in Summer camp when I was a kid so that changed my sentiments a bit from the outset. From there on I was less than enthralled, but didn’t hate it. I like Parsons’ voice. And I kinda like that they pissed off both the country purists and the teeny boppers.

Много-много кантри нравится мне у Birds меньше чем более ранние альбомы.

1.5 - Bad

I enjoyed this album as it was, and while I generally don't try to read too much about the making or history of the records I'm listening to, this one was made better by reading about the creation of it and the resistance they received from Nashville. On its own, it sounds like a country record that fit right in with what would be happening in the 70s in country music, but I didn't realize how much it actually set the stage for what became country in the following decade. The songs still sound fresh and timeless, and really it was a lovely experience to listen to it.

Not a bad crossover album. Not what I was expecting from a byrds album.

As a big fan of both the Byrds and Gram Parsons, I should absolutely adore this one, but it's not quite on that level for me. The Byrds were in the process of falling apart at this point, and McGuinn's well of creativity was running dry, but Parsons hadn't quite gotten to the point of being able to pick up the slack. Parsons original songs here are both very good, but those are the only original songs here! The rest is marred by inconsistent cover selection and uncharacteristically substandard vocals (in particular, McGuinn is completely awful on "The Christian Life"). It's a good album overall, but it's not as good as it should be.

Merle Haggard yesterday, this today, and tbh I could post much the same review. Trots along nicely and inoffensively (apart from the Christian Life song which seems incongruous) but nothing particularly memorable and not something I would choose to listen to. They are clearly good musicians and it’s a decent covers album. Favourite track is the opener which goes to show that Dylan songs are perhaps better done by other people

6 / 10

Not what I expected from the Byrds, with a distinct lack of jangly guitars. This was definitely in the bad country category for me. The best track was a bonus track which I accidentally listened to. The rest of them were pretty rubbish, with an unwelcome reappearance of the Louvin brothers’ material… Disappointing.

I think Lynyrd Skynyrd must have pissed me off because I absolutely hated this. The worst kind of Nashville country influenced blues rock - poor harmonies, banal lyrics and practically nothing of merit to note in my time listening to this. Was expecting a little more of a psychedelia edge to it that just never came through. In the end I was praying for a little more something than what I got.

Odd - way more country than I would expect from The Byrds - I prefer the more folk/psychedelic stuff.

Algo que sonaría en K-Rose

I had this already. I have five projects going, so it happens. But this is the first time I have gone back into an album I gave a 1. Honestly, it doesn’t really deserve that. But… there are, inexplicably, five (5) Byrd albums on this list. It’s just… yeah. Maybe not on the level of six (6) Elvis Costello albums, but really let’s be serious. And this album. It isn’t making me feel quite as stabby as it did before. But what’s the deal? The Byrds got the jump on The Stones and The Flying Burrito Bros. by a whole year? They foresaw the future of country? The pedal steel guitar playing stood out more this time around. But man, this album annoys me. 2 Boolean: I just don’t know —————————

I want to like it, I do, but I just hear unconvincing country cosplay. The songs are good, the musicianship is good, but the vibe feels fake. Plus I never cared for the sanctimonious The Christian Life even when the Louvin Brothers did it, and I like it even less here. This album's influential but I'd say ersatz. Fight me, Gram Parsons.

Not the best album, very country and simple doesnt showcase the talent in that group

This one was a groovy, classical country album with lapsteel, guitar, banjo, fiddling, the whole works. Released in 19568?!?! Imagining this is quite a precedent-setting album as far as genre and style go. I appreciate the concept of "settling down" and the mindfulness towards Christianity, women, etc. It's country is showing. Too bad I'm just not partial towards the genre or sound. A good album, but just not for me.

The Byrds produced what is arguably the defining sound of the 60s. There were acts that were bigger, more experimental, more influential, or all of the above but when you imagine the sound of the hippie movement, it's almost impossible to not hear their signature jangly 12-string guitar somewhere in the mix. But by 1968, the band had lost basically every key member but that lead guitarist and were running on creative fumes. Needing help, they turned to an hungry up and comer by the name of Gram Parsons who just a year later would form The Flying Burrito Brothers and release one of the greatest country rock albums of all time. Parsons, understandably, was still working on that sound and convinced the band their future lay in country rock. He was wrong. Catastrophically, horribly wrong. This album sunk the Byrds permanently and its songs were so poorly received that the band was booed out of the Grand Ole Opry mid debut performance. The Nashville old guard thought these insincere hippie assholes were mocking country music by releasing soulless, overly produced covers of classic songs that sounded like parodies. The album has been reevaluated since then and is widely beloved within country music now as a stepping stone in the evolution of country rock. I hate to say it, but I think the original country haters had it right. These songs largely sound like bad parodies of country music to my ears right down to the overly maudlin lyrics and often weak melodic structures. These guys were just not ready to sell this hard of a pivot and needed it to cook for more than just a couple months of recording sessions. There are interesting musical arrangements here and there but the band largely cannot sell their country pivot when the only true believer was Gram Parsons and he'd be kicked out of the band soon. The only songs that work to my mind are, as you might expect from the band that made Mr. Tambourine Man a hit, Bob Dylan covers and even Parsons couple of original songs don't hold a candle to what he'd do in The Flying Burrito Brothers.

No. This might be one of the first albums where I skimmed through songs. After Christian Life, I was like hold up. There’s so many better albums by the Byrds. This one is too honky tonk and generic for me.

eu odeio country

Started track 1 and said "Aw hell yeah". I have an odd feeling towards country music as a whole. I don't hate it, honestly I find it really endearing. It reminds me of home (bluegrass is actually what reminds me of home, but it's far too chaotic for me to enjoy in high doses). But it's also more often than not just not quite my thing, sonically or thematically. I think radio country from the mid 2000's - 2010's really soured my view on the genre (I hear it's only gotten worse), but I've always enjoyed what I know from people like Johnny Cash or Waylon Jennings, so maybe I'll be surprised. So far I like the voice and overall country flavor over it far more than I liked Neil Young's go at it. I'm so happy it's not The Pogues again. You Don't Miss Your Water stands out; it sounds like the Beach Boys tried to make a country song? Huge fan of the way the vocals stack on top of each other and sound. Oh and the lyrics are really really fucking good. Hickory Wind!!!! You Got A Reputation! Lazy Days! Blue Canadian Rockies! I've just had it on in the background all morning, this is really pleasant. It's worth noting that track 11 is the final track on the original release until a re-release in the 90's, but I quite like those last 3 tracks, so I'll allow their inclusion. The various rehearsals included I will not be partaking in, as they are the same songs! So apparently one guy joined the band in '68 and was like "I need to make country music cool" and the rest of the band was like.. not 100% on board. By the time the album came out the guy was on his way out of the band (says he quit in protest of touring ZA during the apartheid era, based), didn't even make it a whole year. 7 leaning to 4 stars this was pleasant all the way through. It's hard to pinpoint moments because a lot of it blends together, but that's not a bad thing here. The harmonizing/layering vocals, the twinkle and twang of the guitars (mmmm steel guitar), the yearning lyrics... Neil Young didn't sell me but this did. Some of the more upbeat songs don't do it for me like the laid back folksy ones do, but they're few and far between. Favorites: You Don't Miss Your Water (so good), Hickory Wind, You Ain't Goin' Nowhere, You Got a Reputation Least: Pretty Boy Floyd Shoutout: You're Still On My Mind, One Hundred Years From Now ok 7.5 i didn't realize i added every song except one to my spotify

Is Country the Britpop of America? Because I don't get the appeal of this at all

Great album to discover through this as it's important to listen to things like this to further develop my taste, as far as a country sound this wasn't a slog to get through

Perfect album for square dancing! Otherwise it blows.

This was such a departure. I get that it is considered the first country rock album but the timing of Gram Parsons in the band and the release of this album indicates that he wasn’t as much of the driver of this shift as people give him credit for. It is just a poor imitation of country for me, and barely listenable at times. And to think all of the terrible modern country comes from this explains a lot.

I can’t deal with this contrived Americana country folk music

Pretty boring, and secondly, I’m not a country fan; a few of the instruments are actually cool, but I wouldn’t listen to it a second time

I like this a fair bit but I don’t think it’s anything special and there are too many albums by The Byrds on the list. Nice to get something that sounds like country music but this album list is sorely lacking in country albums and iconic country artists. Wouldn’t mind less of this (and less Dylan!!) for more of that.

Folk Country is just bad... Go play Bluegrass you hippies

Howdy pardner! Didn't see you there on a count of my rattlesnake blindness. Yes, the snake bit both of my eyes. It's incredibly rare and every day is agony. Speaking of hellish torment, it's nearing cosplay cowboy season here in western Canada, and we've got ourselves a coupla ground rules to ensure maximum stampeding. Pull up a culturally appropriated piece of leather furniture, grab a light beer, and yell loudly over me while I walk you through the rules that any good western Canadian follows to enjoy this here faux cowboy circus. 1. Dress like a seven year old at Halloween. That's right fellas. Even though your hands have never been sullied by even a threat of dirt, and the only horses you've seen are on the side of the highway on your weekly trips to glamping resorts in the mountains, you need people to know you're a rugged cow poke. Now who cares that you're originally from Vancouver, BC? You've got a truck and an unimpressive penis, don't ya? Don that hat! tie that bandana! Drink 6-8 15 dollar beers and see my next rule! 2. If you identify yourself as one of them females, don't let the gents have all the fun! Grab a never used cowboy hat of your own, and then don the denim. Make sure you cut it up beyond recognition. Hell, you think a married, middle-aged energy trader is gonna hit on you if those seams aren't at least halfway north of the knee? Well, yes, he probably still will, but that's just because he is hopelessly unfulfilled and is looking for a mother figure. And your responsibility as a 19 year old at a corporate country music tent? Why of course you entertain that fella's advances until he passes out and is sent home on the C-Train with a belly full of brisket and eyes full of tears. If you do end up electing for the night of extramarital disappointment, you might even get some hush money. Heed this ol' blind snake wrangler's warning though; clinics do back up at this time of year! 3. Insist on standing around outside. It's hot. It's crowded. Rest assured you are the only human being that matters, so I need you and your pardners to stand on sidewalks, pathways, roadways, thoroughfares, escalators, elevators AND crosswalks. If you aren't obstructing, well hell, you just aren't trying. 4. Ignore the kids! That's right you big grown cow poke with your awesome cowboy hat! Be as lewd, loud, and aggressive as possible. Throw discarded alcohol containers into the petting zoo, puke in the kids park, make out with your mistress by the agricultural education centre. This isn't about some kid learning about sustainable farming practices in the region they live, or - god forbid - having fun! It's an opportunity for you, a 45-year old big boy grown up in a costume to make a drunken moron of yourself in the sweltering sun of a ruined climate. Fuck on fuckaroo. 5. Make sure you get a good view of the first chuckwagon horse death. Sometimes you can hear the ankles snap! Why now I think you're plum ready for the greatest, or at the very least, most recent, outdoor show on earth. Yee fucking haw. 3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: What do you mean I can't sleep on the train? Can't you see my little plastic badge???

Yet another one by The Byrds that I listened to a couple times because it was solid, but not amazing enough that I would want to seek it out. The kind of album I might buy from the used section of the record store if it was below five dollars. The Bob Dylan written songs are the highlights proving his songwriting greatness.

I was already familiar with this album prior to listening. This is a country rock album which definitely leans more country than rock. The album is notable for pioneering the blend of rock and country, and it would influence a lot of what came after it. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere is a great song, easily the best on the album. I would listen again, but I have to be in the mood to listen to this album.

Eh, this was pretty mid. Nothing about it resonated. It's almost entirely covers of folk/country standards which makes the whole project less interesting and I question why it deserves a place on this list when I know The Byrds have much better albums. Maybe I’m just fatigued from several listens today. 2/5.

Not really my style, but it was a good listen.

Well crafted and played songs, but just too overtly country for me. They all tended to merge together after a while.

Just not for me, found it a complete bore.

Very interesting. I kind of liked it, but I also thought it was kind of odd coming from them.

While I enjoyed country tracks, I really enjoyed the blue grass and blues numbers.

Liked it but not the byrds I was used too. More on the country side. Still go byrds dh

folksy and fine

Before the challenge I knew very little about this lineage of rock, especially gram parsons. Really interesting to see his influence on the country rock genre and how he was rejected by both sides. I like this version of country much more than the strict country of the time.

What’s with the slow ponderous plodding sings? 3/4 time can still be fun , didn’t have to be played at 18th century waltz tempo. It does pick up the pace occasionally, but it’s still a chore to listen to this. I’m so sick of The Byrds.

It sounded a bit more country than rock to me, but there were some charming songs. Just not for me.

Great

Teetered between 2 and 3 stars for me, but will give it a 3 because The Byrds are a wonderful group, and I appreciated that this album has its own defining sound to it. Comes off a little cheesy sounding, but the vocals elevate it quite a bit.

The best thing about Sweetheart of the Rodeo is its restraint. It does not try to overpower you. It does not bludgeon its way into greatness. It wins through feel, touch, and conviction.

Psychedelic 60's rock to country, um, pass. Polished and pleasant but no.

Country-Rock/Pop. Dudelt sehr viel rum. Ist mal nett zu hören und bestimmt für die Zeit ein prägendes Album. Mehr als ein "ok" gibt es von mir aber nicht. 3/5

***agood, easy listening album

this is a very good cover but I do not feel like listening to a country album today. I started while driving to the Mets game and it felt like simply too many things I wouldn’t want to do with a typical day. Perhaps on my drive home. It’s just not for me but not unpleasant

i really just can’t imagine enjoying this record besides like a 60s theme bar somewhere. I’m sure there are some ppl who say This is music, and everything else that came afterwards is just noise.

No. 219 I like it, solid album, some nice guitar work and fun tunes.

Um… The Byrds have 5 albums on the list. Really? Is that really necessary? Interesting, I just listened to the Flying Burrito Bros. That album has some history for me personally. This… is just another album from 68. Oh. I like alt-country. I like folk. But… this is… not good. It’s making me figure out why. It’s like smooth peanut butter. The jangling instruments, the lack of percussive interest. The treble harmonizations. It adds up to… white bread and Jiff stuck in my throat. 2… You Got a Reputation is ok, but man, I am feeling like going to 1. This album is pissing me off. How long is it? Yeah it gets a 1. The contractual disputes destroyed what might have been ok. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Boolean: False. Don’t need 5 albums from the Byrds. They need to fly away to the past and stay there.

Country rock sort of starts at this album!!

A departure from their previous psychedelic rock into a more hybrid country rock album at the direction of new band member Gram Parsons. It has that twangy steel pedal country guitar sound. They cover some cool classic country artists like the Louvin Brothers and Merle which is cool. I am not a big country music fan but this is one I wouldn't mind owning.

Unholy shit, that was rough...

Oh hell no.

Ah, Sweetheart Of The Rodeo... Un album des Byrds qui sent bon la bouse de vache, le foin fraîchement coupé et le puritanisme rance des cambrousses américaines. Il a toujours été de bon ton, pour un groupe de rock en panne d'inspiration ou en pleine crise existentielle, de nous pondre un disque de country bien poisseux ou un album de Noël foiré. En 1968, les Byrds ont choisi la première option, et le moins que l'on puisse dire, c'est qu’on en sort singulièrement désappointé. Pourtant, sur le papier, l'idée de mélanger le rock psychédélique d'un groupe phare de Los Angeles avec les racines les plus traditionnelles de Nashville avait de quoi intriguer. Sauf qu'au final, on se retrouve coincé dans un saloon de seconde zone avec de la paille entre les dents et une furieuse envie de zapper. C'est de la country pure et dure, et si ce n’est pas un mauvais album en soi, ce côté trop traditionnel et ultra-conservateur n'est absolument pas ma tasse de thé. On est à des années-lumière de la tension dramatique, de la noirceur crasseuse ou de l'expérimentation sonore que j'affectionne au plus haut point. C'est un disque qui s'écoute d'une oreille distraite pendant qu'on nettoie ses boots, mais qui ne viendra jamais faire vibrer la corde sensible du passionné de noise ou de cold wave qui sommeille en moi. Il faut dire que l'arrivée de Gram Parsons au sein du groupe a complètement bousculé le navire. McGuinn et Hillman, seuls rescapés du line-up d'origine, se sont laissés embrigader par ce dandy sudiste obsédé par la "Cosmic American Music". Résultat ? Un disque linéaire, sans surprise, qui a totalement dérouté le public de l'époque. Les hippies aux cheveux longs ont détesté cette incursion chez les rednecks, et les amateurs de country traditionnels ont chié sur ces petits jeunes de la ville qui venaient jouer sur leur territoire. Un suicide commercial parfait, une anomalie dans une discographie qui avait pourtant brillé par son avant-gardisme et ses envolées raga-rock. C'est le problème quand on laisse les clés du camion à un nouveau venu un peu trop envahissant : on finit dans le fossé, au milieu des vaches, à regretter l'époque où les guitares jangling ouvraient les portes de la perception. Musicalement, l'album s'ouvre sur une reprise de Dylan, "You Ain't Going Nowhere" : c'est pépère, ça trotte gentiment, la guitare pedal-steel pleure dans les coins et on s’ennuie ferme. Même les morceaux originaux comme "Hickory Wind", pourtant salués par la critique pour leur melancholie, me laissent de marbre. C'est larmoyant, c'est de la nostalgie de comptoir pour cow-boys solitaires qui regrettent leur maman et leur grand air. Le reste de l'album s'enchaîne sans véritable relief, oscillant entre prêches chrétiens ringards ("The Christian Life") et reprises de standards de la country que même les plus fervents habitués des pick-ups trouveraient redondants. On cherche désespérément le petit éclair de génie, la dissonance qui sauve, le sursaut d'orgueil d'un groupe qui a jadis rivalisé avec les Beatles, mais non : tout est calibré pour plaire à l'Amérique profonde, celle qui n'aime pas qu'on bouscule ses traditions. Je sauve tout de même la technique : les musiciens invités (notamment Clarence White à la guitare électrique et Lloyd Green à la pedal-steel) connaissent leur boulot sur le bout des doigts. Les harmonies vocales restent propres, héritage direct du savoir-faire des Byrds. C'est propre, c'est carré, mais c'est terriblement chiant. L'absence de relief et cette volonté farouche de coller aux codes d'un genre aussi codifié annihilent toute tentative de rébellion rock. Pour moi qui ai passé des années à défendre des ovnis sonores sur les ondes et à conseiller des disques abrasifs à des clients exigeants, ce Sweetheart Of The Rodeo fait figure d'aimable relique historique, un machin qu'on respecte pour ce qu'il a engendré mais qu'on ne sort jamais de sa pochette pour le plaisir pur. Au final, je lui attribue une note de 2 sur 5. Ce n'est pas un désastre au sens premier du terme, c'est une curiosité historique qui a pavé la voie aux Eagles et à toute la clique du country-rock des années 70, mais cela reste un immense rendez-vous manqué pour un groupe qui nous avait habitués à voler bien plus haut dans le ciel de la création musicale. Une escapade bucolique dont je me serais volontiers passé, surtout quand je sais qu'il me reste encore des centaines d'albums à écouter dans ce fichu bouquin des "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". Allez, je retourne à mes disques de chevet, là où les guitares grincent, où la basse fait mal aux côtes et où l'air ne sent pas le purin.

This is about the only kind of country I can listen to... can't handle the newer pop type stuff.

I didn't like this. I like the folksy Byrds, not this countrified version of The Byrds. The singing was fine, but I didn't really like the songs.

Either you're at the rodeo or you ain't

A classic of the country rock genre. The Byrds were well established and successful by 1968, but had been through several changes of personnel and style. Gram Parsons is in now and the sound has taken in a lot more country influences. I've got the Legacy Edition here to listen to so that'll keep me busy for a couple of hours.

Completely different sound from their other albums. If they hadn’t covered Dylan again, I wouldn’t know it was them. Sounds like it was an influential album, but it’s too country for me

This is my favorite album from the Byrds but I still don’t feel compelled to download any of the songs.

Love this. One of the first country rock albums. Gram Parsons is amazing.

I enjoyed this more than I probably should.

It's not something I'd ever listen to outside of this, but it very much seems like some really good, old school, sad guy country. I can see the appeal, and it was a solid listen

Country is not my favorite genre, and the Byrds did not produce the best country music, but I did enjoy this.

The Byrds hard-right from psychedelic to country is pretty great. I know Gram was an asshole, but he worked his magic with the Byrds here, and the Dylan covers, Hickory Wind, the Louvin Brothers cover - exhausted, sad, beautiful, old, cosmically new.

Gram Parsons’ voice is sweet, befitting the album title, and the arrangements are lovely. Their fusion of folk, country, and rock just worked, and it spawned so much great music to come.

Thoughts before listening: Graham Parsons era Byrds album that essentially was the blueprint for the alt-country genre. Review: So I have always found this album to be more rock n roll hippies playing country music than some sort of mashup of the 2 genres. Perhaps there are some light psychedelic elements sprinkled throughout, but ultimately this is a country album. Where I think the mythos around this album fails a bit is that the Byrds were always a folk rock band, so it wasn't a huge leap to add in some pedal steel and fiddle to countrify their sound. What hasn't changed is that the band is still at their best when they're interpreting other people's songs, especially Bob Dylan, with "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" being the best song here. Overall I like this album, but I personally feel that the country rock sound would be perfected over the coming years with artists like the Grateful Dead and Neil Young perfecting the sound. 4-stars

This is a good album. A decent country rock album. I really enjoyed this because it was something that most albums aren’t. It was honest to the music it was trying to introduce. To have a Merle and Louvin Brothers cover on the album meant that Gram Parsons was definitely familiar with country music and wanted to bring it to another audience. I’m glad I heard it. I wouldn’t listen again.

Ugh, I hate country music. It says country rock, but I don't hear any rock in this.

I didn’t enjoy this, but struggle to put my finger on why. A lot of the time it felt too old fashioned country for me.

This is what I expected an album by The Byrds to sound like and, while I didn’t hate it, it made no impact on me whatsoever.

I was not expecting The Byrds to sound like this. It started with a Dylan song and it was all downhill from there. I sort of wish we'd got psychedelic-Byrds rather than country-Byrds. I have very little to say about this other than I did not enjoy it. 1/5

You Ain't Goin' Nowhere Hickory Wind

Bland and forgettable but I baseline like folk more than rock so two stars instead of one

Great musicians but too much of a country influence for me to really get into.

I really liked this. I don’t know if I’m just getting less bothered by the country sound or what, but I dug it.

The Byrds and country, name a less iconic duo. That song about the Christian life deserves a wedgie.

It’s ok. Very heavy country twang

Easy going, but nothing outstanding for me. High 2.

Struggled to get to the end of this one

Starts strong but I was sick of it by the end.

The Byrds set the scene well with a great vibe, and sometimes that’s all you need. This amiable series of (mostly) covers puts me in a good mood but there isn’t anything unique or compelling enough to bring me back to it.

Byrds get a solid to high 3 from me, good songs well written and i like the style even if i never quite love it

Two Byrds albums in a row? Damn. Mr. Tambourine Man last year, then The Notorious Byrd Brothers a month later, and then Fifth Dimension yesterday. All solid 3-star efforts that pale in comparison to the best of the 60s, but tower over most of the punk, post-punk, industrial rock, and 90s hip-hop entries on the list. My expectations are middling. Though it's a cover – most of these are – You Ain't Goin' Nowhere achieves its goal pretty effectively. Though I would hope for an intro that packs significantly more punch (particularly in the violent, passionate year that was 1968), a solid, catchy acoustic country tune works too. I Am a Pilgrim introduces a new instrument with the fiddle (violin spelled differently), which is alright but absolutely threatens to get old if it's used in more than a couple tracks. Next is the Christian Life... Wow. I hope the lyrics are satire, but they don't sound like it. A goofy song that I hope never to listen to again. The next enjoyable track doesn't appear until You're Still On My Mind, a forgettable but pleasant country attempt. And then Pretty Boy Floyd brings back the fiddle. I've heard they call it the fiddle because it fiddles with your restraint against throwing your phone across the room. Nothing Was Delivered, the closer of the original album release, is pretty good, I guess. Nice prominent bass part. All in all, though, it's very easy to tune this sort of music out. As the Byrds transform more and more into country-slop throughout the 60s, you can't help feeling vaguely disappointed. While paying little attention to the music itself. What is there to latch onto? Where is the spark, the passion, the innovation? Zero interesting chords or melodies or virtuosic solos. I kept imagining other 1968 albums – mainly Electric Ladyland and The White Album – during this listen. And wondering what the heck happened? All I Have Are Memories, the closing instrumental, contains an atrocious slide guitar (it wouldn't normally be atrocious, but it has no place in country music). You Got A Reputation is noticeably better than anything on the main release (except possibly the opening song). I wonder why it was relegated to "bonus track" status. Pretty Polly also stands out: that fluttery, semi-psychedelic guitar parts works wonders. 2/5 Key tracks: You Ain't Goin' Nowhere, You're Still On My Mind, Nothing Was Delivered

1.5 Lasted up to Pretty Boy Floyd. As the album that launched a genre I detest I couldn't go on. Wanted to round this down to a 1* for kick-starting a terrible movement, but on the face of it it is less annoying than some of the shite which came after. Lucky escape for them though. This was still excruciating.

Not a huge fan of country but I don't hate it. Wouldn't choose this to listen again, though.

Totally different sound from the other Byrds albums, but I enjoyed this.

mmm nada nuevo

2026.05.22

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Actually surprisingly ok

Too much country for my tastes. While I can appreciate the distinct musicality, this is not something I would want to relisten to.

Would you like to manifest having a ranch in the middle of nowhere? You should play this to make it happen.

country AND western

The first half of the album is very strong, but it gets a bit repetitive as it goes on. Based on the reviews on this site, I’d say that I enjoy this style of country more than the average person. I wonder if The Byrds’ later country work may have developed more variety as they matured with the genre, as I haven’t listened to much Byrds, especially post-folk Byrds. 3/5

I'd never listened to The Byrds before. It wasn't bad. I definitely love the music inspired by this, like Grateful Dead, Uncle Tupelo and Wilco, so it was nice to hear where it came from.

I found the first half of the album repetitive and boring, until the song Hickory Wind, where the disc takes a second breath towards the last half of the album. In any case, it is not a job that I will listen to again, but the experience of a bit of classic American country was pretty good.

Eh... country music... 2.5

Eh

The 4th Byrds album on this list (fortunately only 1 more to go). Generally I have scored them a 2 and have found the jangly guitar and harmony stick underwhelming. This album breaks the mold and goes all country. I liked the soft country rock/folk of the opener (You aint going nowhere) and the next track (I Am a Pilgrim). Unfortunately thereafter my interest fell off a cliff and all the songs started blending into each other with too much country twanging.

Sweetheart of the Rodeo Although The Byrds were of course hugely influential and are responsible for some incredible music, as we have seen, their albums are often pretty patchy. Even though this album doesn’t necessarily have a true standout track, and it's clearly a departure from their classic sound, I think it’s their most consistent album, with a distinct and winning earnestness and sincerity in their versions of these songs. There are still hints at jangly, chiming guitars and their harmonies and overall atmosphere still retains a sun stippled west coast charm, and while they always had (and would continue to have) a country element to their music, it's probably hard to appreciate how people received such a straight on country record from a hip LA band. I think the song choice is great, countryfying Dylan and Guthrie and countryfying Stax’s William Bell, and tackling the Louvin Brothers and Merle Haggard. Hickory Wind is one of Parson’s best songs but I particularly love the version of Blue Canadian Rockies and the excellently bass driven Nothing Was Delivered. The context and what it birthed is a strong part of the charm, but purely musically I think this is a high 4. As much as I love it I don’t quite think it’s in the top bracket of albums, and again re-inforces that as great as The Byrds were, they never quite nailed an album 🤠🤠🤠🤠 Playlist submission: Nothing Was Delivered

Man these guys don't know which way to turn (turn, turn). Are they 60s Beatles pop? Are they psychedelic? Are they folksy janglemasters? Are they country? They feel a band devoid of an anchor, swimming around a big ol' ocean of musical trends. As it turns out this came as a nice slow-burning surprise. I like this crossing over back to folk, I like the Parsons originals, and I like some of the covers. It goes a bit too hackneyed in places - it's at its best when it pairs the country sensibility to folk, rock and soul, to create a great band performance. It's not the complete album by any stretch - I think it just gets to four.

I have no capacity for this shit.

Starts strong.

Country tranquilo. Al parecer fue un transición de una etapa que antes estaba más aventada al rock psicodelico También identifiqué folk rock Estuvo disfrutable, no encontré ninguna canción que especialmente destacara pero no es un mal álbum Para pasar una tarde tranquila, en la naturaleza, recomendado

I like it, solid album, some nice guitar work and fun tunes. Don't expect to revisit often.

20% meh 80% incredible. Used to cover pilgram.

Pleasant but bored me

Yeehaw! Really loved the first track, and whilst I didn’t necessarily relate to a lot of the lyrics on the other tracks (mostly the Christianity one), this was pretty much the perfect album to listen to whilst parked up in the van on a dirt track in the middle of nowhere 4

Ik droomde vannacht dat ik op Youtube een vrijwel niet bekeken opname vond van een band bestaande uit oude mannen, in Amerika, die eigenlijk alle nummers van Nirvana hadden geschreven en die jaren na dato aan het touren waren in kleine zaaltjes, met wat dus hun eigen werk was, terwijl het publiek dacht dat ze gewoon met een leuke coverband te maken hadden. Ik dacht: dit moeten de mensen weten; Ik heb nieuwe informatie! En nog mooier: In de pauze van hun optreden werd Hoedenplank van Opgezwolle ingestart, maar dan wel een alternatieve versie waarbij de intro sample ('En waar komt dat geluid dan vandaan') wat langer door ging en wat meer tekst had dan anders. Ik werd in m'n droom zwaar enthousiast, omdat anno 2026 die sample vooralsnog beschouwd wordt als een stukje lost media. Mensen zijn ernaar op zoek, zonder succes. Ik dacht in m'n droom: Misschien kan ik de code nu kraken, ik heb meer tekst om naar te zoeken dan anderen, dit is een doorbraak; Ik heb nieuwe informatie. En toen schreeuwde m'n wekker me wakker. Het was een droom. Het was niet echt. De doorbraak ligt niet in Amerika bij een bende optredende boomers die eigenlijk Heart Shaped Box hebben geschreven. Ik zal niet degene zijn die het tv fragment zal terugvinden waarin de intro van Hoedenplank te horen is. Het daalde, zoals vaker wanneer je wakker wordt uit een leuke droom, wat lelijk in. Het was maar een droom; Ik heb geen nieuwe informatie. En dat is het thema van de dag of misschien wel de week. De lijst dwingt me voor de vijfde keer naar The Byrds te luisteren, daarna voor de tweede keer naar The Pogues en daarna, kwam ik zojuist achter, ook nog voor de derde keer naar The Doors. De lijst begint te kraken en piepen. En ik ook. In het begin van de challenge merkte je al eens dat er teveel terugkerende artiesten waren, maar nu de lijst tegen z'n einde loopt is het helemaal erg. Het is geen ramp, maar het is soms wel jammer. Ik heb dus geen nieuwe informatie. Daarom geef ik De Vogyls nu een keer een onvoldoende. Ja en vooruit, het stukje country wat ze meenemen op dit album helpt ook niet mee. Twee sterren.

It plays like one big country song. Listenable, but nothing to get excited about. (I checked the review on Pitchfork — it's got a 9.7. Looks like I don't understand country at all)

pretty normal and standard, not as bad as people said in the reviews but nothing to write home about

Well I stumbled on a new band while listening to Body Count radio. I may not remember the name of the band without going back to look at it but I hope this album is worth the change. I really thought this was going to be hippy shit and instead it’s sort of folk/country. I can’t say I took anything out of that listening party of mine. It’s ok. The album that is. It’s ok

============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== -------------------THE BYRDS------------------ ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- -------------------SWEETHEART----------------- ---------------------OF THE------------------- ---------------------RODEO-------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------(1968)------------------- ============================================== ============================================== -----------------CALIFICACIÓN----------------- --------------------★⯨☆☆☆-------------------- --------------------(1,77)-------------------- ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== 1. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere (★★⯨☆☆) 2. I Am a Pilgrim (★⯨☆☆☆) 3. The Christian Life (★⯨☆☆☆) 4. You Don't Miss Your Water (★⯨☆☆☆) 5. You're Still on My Mind (★⯨☆☆☆) 6. Pretty Boy Floyd (★☆☆☆☆) 7. Hickory Wind (★⯨☆☆☆) 8. One Hundred Years from Now (★★★☆☆) -La mejor del álbum quizás... 9. Blue Canadian Rockies (★⯨☆☆☆) 10. Life in Prison (★★☆☆☆) 11. Nothing Was Delivered (★★☆☆☆) ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== PUNTAJE TOTAL 2,5+1,5+1,5+1,5+1,5+1+1,5+3+1,5+2+2 = 19,5 ============================================== ============================================== PUNTAJE PROMEDIO 19,5 / 11 = 1,77 ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== CALIFICACIÓN FINAL ★⯨☆☆☆ (1,75) ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== COMENTARIO -Definitivamente el "country" es un insulto a la historia, la condición y la evolución de la música humana... No sé qué hicieron los pájaros estos más que involucionar y convertirse en un dinosaurio con pantalón vaquero y muy mal gusto. -Le voy a poner 2 estrellas porque al menos está bien hecho, bien ejecutado por más que no me guste el estilo, a diferencia de la mierda auditiva que consumí antes de este álbum, lo peor que escuché hasta ahora, Sonic Youth, y su cosa/álbum "evol", o más bien "invol" de involución. ============================================== ==============================================

Nope. I tried, I really did. But decided it wasn't really worth my time.

I didn’t know anything on this album previously. I liked it!

Liker ikke sjangeren

Country done well.

This kind of album is not what I preferer but this one is okay with good song one it, maybe it will be higher in a couple of month

Sorry a disappointment for me I couldn't wait for it to finish dreary country

didn't enjoy it as much as I did other albums/songs of them but it also wasn't tasteless that I'd have to skip any songs

Good album by The Byrds, but I do miss something with more of sticking out. Many parts of the album are too standard country I find.

I really enjoyed this album. The minute I heard that slide guitar I was worried, but it was very nice to listen to.

I’ve tried several times to like this album.

Pretty good stuff

no.. just no.. not for me

more wife killing music and not as good as willie

ehhh

Just lame. Love the instrumentation but subject matter is so weak

Pretty good, but was really hoping for more. Not nearly as psychedelic as advertised, with only a few songs bringing the musical heat that I have come to expect from Crosby. Standout Tracks: One Hundred Years From Now, You Got A Reputation, Pretty Polly 3

I was surprised how folky/country this album was. Seeing David Crosby was a key member made me realize why You Don’t Miss Your Water also sounded so stoney. I could see from an English perspective how this album seemed revolutionary, but for me it sounded a lot like what Pete Seeger had been doing for a long time. By no means is that bad, just not ground breaking. I liked the uptempo Pretty Boy Floyd. It made me want to go-down, and Life On Prison felt classic country with a little New Orleans piano work in the back. This definitely felt like one of those highly historical albums that influenced a lot of things, but I can’t attest to its modern relevance.

Random thoughts: * I guess this was the Byrds go country album. * I guess all folk musicians need to make a country record at some point in their career and this was it for the Byrds. * I really dug the first track. I guess maybe because it's a Dylan track as I now just looked up. lol * I'm just realizing these were all covers. lol * I played it full through back to back. It was a good listen because the Byrds are a good band. I probably won't go seeking this one again but it killed a few hours while I did some tedious work. * Did you listen to the extended version on Spotify? There was a hidden clip at the end of the last track which was a radio commercial for this album that was really fun. Definitely worth a listen to see how they advertised it.

All time cover for sure.

Country music doesn't do a whole lot for me, I'm afraid!

Considering I am not at all a country fan, this is not bad. I found myself swaying and tapping my foot to a few songs. The plucky guitar really fit with the cadence of the vocalist and come together in a really fun rock country fusion. Life in Prison is actually an awesome song and definitely my favorite on the record. Very surprisingly solid listen.

i have a tattoo of this album cover

I genuinely regret that this is the first time I’ve heard this album. A must listen to before you die if I’ve ever heard one, at least.

fun homely and well produced country, also awesome cover art

Nope. Not my jam.

Funny, I was just reading a reddit post about bands that seem to have too much representation on this list and the Byrds was one that people mentioned. As "fine" as this album was, I feel like this might be the one that put people over the edge of too many.

Awful, preachy, twangy, tedious complaining and praying. There is nothing here for me.

Was a surprise. Nice nmx of country twang and rock. Enjoyable. LOVE the cover art! That is special! Only problem was the album from Apple - had a whole side of demo tracks, and rehearsal, became boring...

Country's not my thing but this is pleasant listening nonetheless.

Pretty generic country rock album that didn't really capture my interest outside of a few moments. Inoffensive but puzzling for its inclusion in the project. Top tracks: You Ain't Going Nowhere, Hickory Wind

amo el genero

I don't know what that was?! It was either terrible country or someone trying to be country that never heard country music before.

Very surprised by this, not at all what I expected. (I didn't know what to expect really), but I spose I was thinking the Byrds sat more in the rock/blues genre, than had anything to do with country/bluegrass. The album art kind of gave that away - and reading the wiki entry, now see I'm not going mad and this 6th album was a new direction for the band. Fun to read about how it was received :) The country stuff is not really my jam, but I like the more bluegrass influenced tracks, which are kind of timeless, i.e. I wouldn't have put it at 1968. Some blues/rock tracks stand out from the slide guitar - some have echoes of early Rolling Stones. Enjoyed it. Not sure about ranking as often based on whether I would listen to this again, and not decided if I would.

A solid album with consistent quality and twang. Although I have listened to and enjoyed their hits, it was good to hear that The Byrds were consistent with their quality.

Some of these are like oh hey I actually might like this sort of stuff. And then sometimes it is... not that. On the whole, absolutely not my jam.

This is nearly something I’ve been looking for: country with the bad parts removed. I love the traditional instrumental styles in country but hate the usual affected vocal style. A lot of the tropes of lyrics can get kind of old, too. On that scale I rate this a 3, maybe 3.5. But for having the guts to take a hard turn from pop rock to this, in ‘68 no less, I have to rate it to a 1001 4.

Fuck the Byrds.

Country isn’t rly a genre for me and this was REALLY country. The first song off this is a song I’ve had in my rotation for at least a year but the rest was very subpar of that. Every song sounded pretty similar but it did create a nice atmosphere. Overall not for me but I didn’t mind it Fav Song: You Ain’t Going Nowhere 5.3/10

Just not really my thing. I felt like I should be in a wooden house on the prairie

Meh

Gee, second country album in a row, what’s wrong with this generator..Anyway, if Johnny Cash I can tolerate, this one I can’t. Especially those violins.

Album was a total commercial failure and is interesting only because it was driven by Graham Parsons and largely created the genre of "Country Rock". Parsons was only a member of the Byrds for this album and then left the band. This isn't a great album, but was influential. Definitely NOT my thing. Pitchfork: 9.7 (2003 review) Rolling Stone: Top 500 Albums #274 Best Songs Nothing Was Delivered (Dylan cover)

12 hours of the 12 bar blues

Not particularly enjoyable for me

Nah niet mijn muziek

This record is partially responsible for most of the music insistent to today.

no tengo el alma para escuchar esto. Country rock más bien country pebble. Suena todo igual y es soporífero. solo podía ser top en los estados unidos del 68. terrible

dazed and confused?

Full Album Thoughts: Album Rating: 1.1 (C-) I still cant believe that the best parts of the album were the cut content released 30 years later. I resent having to wade through so much country dreck. I guess I like Bluegrass and Folk Songs decently enough, but I feel like I am rating them higher by sheer contrast then I otherwise objectively would. Somehow, numerically, Bruce Springsteen's album is lower than this, and this whole album is bolstered by my relief of the C side. Track Thoughts: You Ain't Goin' Nowhere C+ I dont know why I have a visceral negative reaction to the exact tone of guitar here. I should like the vocal harmonies, I should like the laid back meandering tone... but its something about the plodding bass that starts to make my eyes roll back in my head. There is something Dylan-esque to the lyrical delivery. I Am a Pilgrim B+ See now, you know what, lean into bluegrass, some folk-country... and I am all the more willing to enjoy it? Early exposure to, of all things, some fiddler's cassette when I was young, and then falling ever further down the rabbit hole due to celtic punk proclivities, along with reinforcement from the Coen Brothers preoccupation with the genre. I sleep on gospel songs but dress it up old-timey like, set out in Appalachia, and I'm actually down for it. The Christian Life F- Aaaand we're back to the whine, its a guitar that whines that drives me mad. Also wooooof the singing tone! Its the fact that every note they sing needs to be slid up or down to. I can only HOPE this is sarcastically mocking the POV character, but I am fearful it is earnest. F- You Don't Miss Your Water D- Its the dang country waltz that is doing me in. We are hitting the slide guitar again. And yet I REALLY wish the Vocal Harmony was being used for a better song because it is such a strange delivery and voicing, that like, I can see a better cover of this. And they bring in... are they actually bringing in a horn at like the 2 minute mark, or was that a strangely captured guitar tone? Eitherway, I think this has the bones of solid Midwestern Emo Shoegaze song. As is, its insufferable. You're Still on My Mind D- We keep hitting the plodding walking bass bounce and twang, but I keep being caught off guard by the eclectic vocal delivery! And then yeah we almost hit a honkytonk piano, which CAN be deftly deployed (see Jack White's solo career) to great effect. Pretty Boy Floyd B+ See now this DOES have a plodding walking bass, but its up beat, and the banjo and mandolin and fiddle drive this sombitch along something fierce. Plus a good ol outlaw folk story, lets go! My only complaint is that it is over too soon! Hickory Wind D- I wish this song stayed in South Carolina. I have a vendetta against glissando. Steel Slide Guitar is a sin in most implementations. 88 Fingers Edward can get a pass. Like I just have nothing to latch on to here. The lyrics come too few an far between, I want a sentence a bar, not a syllable or two at most. My brain cant hold that much information at once, so by the time the thought is completed I have forgotten what started it! One Hundred Years from Now D+ I am loving the vocal harmonies! The bass is doing something more than just walking back and forth! The backing guitar is doing some strange trills, and we have a piano doing something almost reminiscent of the Beatles if I squint my ears! AND THEN THE GODDAMN STEEL SLIDE GUITAR IS CHIRPING IN MY RIGHT EAR! I feel like if I muted a single track of this song, I could bring it up a whole letter grade! Its almost a rock song! Blue Canadian Rockies D You get my country's name out of your mouth. Stop warbling about my Province. (well technically Lake Louise is in Alberta, so neighbor province.) Its that goddamn hounddog wail, like a ship constantly bobbing up over the crest of a wave... I cant stand it. Life in Prison D I had high hopes before the steel guitar game in that we'd have another bluegrass banger. Lock up this whole album and throw away the key. To say one nice thing: There is a melodic interplay between the piano and the steel guitar during the solo (well, duet) portion that would be very interesting on any other instrument choice. Nothing Was Delivered F- WHERE WAS ANY OF THE ROCK that came in at like 50 seconds into this song (I guess the first half of the Chorus) on the rest of the album? And right back to country schlock. I am like, mad at being shown what could have been, at the tail end here. Do I applaud a brief moment of respite as a shining beacon to be celebrated, or chastise what has been demonstrated as technically possible yet willfully not pursuing it? You Got A Reputation A Oh fuck off the best song on the album wasn't originally on the album? This is a bonus from the re-release? I was ready to just Stop Listening at this point but like, this is legitimately excellent! (and also giving me CCR/Beatles vibes) FUCK I am going to have listen to the last two songs because what if there is gold?! Lazy Days B Fuck me and an early Beach Boys riff? Like actually upset that this is on the cutting room floor of the album. This should replace the opener about doing nothing, it covers basically the same material. (though I dont like the lyrics imagery as much here). Pretty Poly A+ And we go hard into heavier blue grass! Oh man this is like straight up my kind of folk song too! Its got that minor key drone! Again, like absolute shining bright spot of the album! Haunting yet Bright! I am so in love with this! WARGH WHY IS IT ONLY CUT MATERIAL!

Cero interés suscitado

Kinda country/folk like. Maybe a little honkey tonk. Not my thing

Bluegrass feel. Recognized only the first song.

Finally, the fifth and last Byrds album on this list. Nearly all tracks are covers of country songs or played in country style. I don't particularly like The Byrds or Country music, so it's a bad combination for me. The other 4 albums were better, but to be fair, I can't give this just 1 star.

Solid country music.

Light 3

ok so its time for me to complain. for your information, i didnt cry when i received my fourth neil young album. i didnt run when i get to listen a third elvis costello album. i didnt sigh when i was forced to listen to all four of led zep's epynomous albums. i was covered with joy when my fifth david bowie album arrived. i was even happy when i listened to the third nick cave album. but the byrds are just too unneccesarry. 2.5/5!

Album ok

I feel like this is too much America for my European ass...

1. you - 1 2. pilgrim - 2 3. life - 2 4. uuater - 2 5. mind - 2 6. boy - 2 7. uuind - 3 8. yearz - 1 9. blue - 2 10.Prison - 2 11. Delivered - 1 12. Reputation - 1 13. Lazy - 0 14. Polly- 1

Am I in HayDay? + This is in fact my first rodeo, and I'm glad I'm a sweetheart here.

Solid three

they sound very different here, i wasn’t a big fan i like their other style of a more rock based style, it was okay

Give me generic inoffensive 60s country album for 200. Had I been born 30 years earlier and grown up 5 miles farther west than I did, I might have grown up listening to this. That's a reality I'm not upset didn't happen.

I really like this album. It's great country music and solid as a rock album. It's definitely an influential album and is good, I just wish there were more original songs.

Holy crap is this bad. Why did they feel the need to make a country album? Their other stuff is so good, but this is derivative, hokey, and cringey. 1.0/5.0: Embarrassing

another easy listen from the byrds

I was already a fan of this album. A few years since I'd listened to it straight through. First listen, I was honestly a little disappointed, feeling like I'd rather listen to the original versions of the covers ("Life in Prison" especially, which fails to find a purpose when Merle Haggard's voice and his band's backing is just so much better). Hickory Wind still hits, though. Second listen, turned the volume up and my appreciation rose again. Still have the sense that some of the originals might be superior, but this really is great stuff all through. It's a great selection of songs, for sure. 4.5/5. Definitely belongs on the list. (And the list ought to also consider GP's previous country-rock album with the International Submarine Band, which to my ear is a little more rock and a little more fun.)

If I was a racist who was planning to marry my sister I think I would love this

Better than expected

I didn't look at what I was about to listen to, so I was expecting an album of Vietnam war movie soundtrack hippie bullshit. I was happy to find this wasn't that. And while I didn't love it, I do love some of the 90s country rock that sounds like it owes it sound to this album.

The country rock album against which all country rock albums are judged. So easy to listen to. As with many genre-jumping acts, they made a ton of country fans upset that a bunch of hippies were playing 'their' music. But they showed what was possible and created the path for bands like the Eagles to become hugely popular.

Ok The Byrds are country now, I guess, awesome still don’t care.

The first Byrds album I’ve ever heard. I… have no clue why this is on here. I don’t hate country, to be clear, in fact, I enjoy a fair bit of 50’s-70’s country. But this is just not very remarkable country. I’d take a Cash, Merle, Nelson or Cline record from this era any day over this. Maybe it’s influential, maybe it’s not, but whatever the case, it’s not enough to make me care.

Interestingly a record that starts ye ha country and then adopts the rock and roll that by then had been around for a while. Expected more from the Byrds. This is just an ok album.

Way toooo country. No thank you.

The opening and the closer were quite good.

I know this is a "classic" album according to some, but I found it bland for a Byrds album, and that's saying something.

Hmm. I have zero investment in the Byrds' history prior to this album, so I'm not offended by all the country rock, just slightly wondering why. (Why this and not the Eagles?) Along trundles the album, strumming and crooning in my ears while I do some work. Oh, what's that, "Life in Prison" you say? "With trembling hands I killed my darling wife / Because I loved her more than life / My love for her will last a long, long time". All this over a jaunty, cheerful instrumentation. Narrator sounds a bit sad at the idea of not having received death penalty ie having to live with what he's done. Well fuck off Merle Haggard, Jelly Sanders, Gram Parsons, Byrds. It's Bad, 1/10.

I’d agree with anyone who says the Byrds are over represented on this list, but this country rock gem is the one I’d go to bat for. It only loses a star for whatever slack-jawed yokel voice McGuinn is doing on The Christian Life - was he worried that if he sang it straight, people might think he meant it?

Just a bit too boring for my liking Best Song: Nothing Was Delivered Rating: 4.5/10 Stars: 2

Holy shit, why are there too many albums from certain artists on this list?! Fuck off!

I love the Byrds. I have never heard most of these songs. Very interesting.

A real country twang to this - we like The Byrds a lot

Probably the weakest Byrds album, does this list really need that many? Very country inspired but did the world really need more country. I would prefer more of their earlier work, but okay. 3/5

Как же меня заебало это кантри сраное Причем нормально же эти типы делали. И вдруг они откатываются до базовых настроек.

This is a good Country music album. It is a good selection if you are a real country music fan. Guitar and lyrics are typical country style. A good selection if you wanna listen to very pure country style.

Jesus Christ and the country...yay.

easy listening.

101. no

Mixed feelings, s jedne strane su mi kul, s druge mi idu užasno na kurac kršćanske reference. 2/5, 4/10

womp womp womp womp womp