The Notorious Byrd Brothers

I’m at a 5.

Perhaps I’m just a sucker for an album with no brakes, but I happened to like this one. There’s lots to read up on about the making of the album, David Crosby’s departure, the horse on the cover, and the early use of a Moog synthesizer on some of these tracks (most obviously “Space Odyssey”), but it might take someone longer to read all of that than it takes to listen to the album. This is a brisk 28 minutes that doesn’t really have much filler; it’s relatively basic, but it’s just well done. Their harmonies are nice, the push/pull of each track feels dynamic (especially when the synths, guitar or drums push in a bit), and the way everything transitions helps the pace. There's a good variety from track to track, and I’m obviously a sucker for the country soundscapes as much as I am the weird sci-fi stuff or the filtered guitars. This is psychedelic rock, sure, but it feels like the Byrds really experimented on this one; not to the same degree as say, the Beatles did on “Across the Universe”, but for 1968, this feels outside of their usual bag.

I don’t think there’s too much more to say; the tracks are pretty straightforward, covering a lot of the late ‘60s (including the drugs, the hippies & the Vietnam War, as one might expect), and I’d say they’re all well done. Occasionally, some tracks could’ve used a little more (mostly “Space Odyssey”, honestly), but I think the album is pretty clean as is. The floor is a 3, and it’s one I’d understand if you can’t see it as anything other than competent. I just happened to enjoy it a lot, and while it might be a little closer to a 4.5 than it is a flat 5, I feel good about it either way. I don’t know if it HAD to be on the list, but I’m not complaining.

A few of the songs I liked but some got too country, and some were just whatever.

This sounds like everything else in this stupid, overrepresented genre. It’s exhausting having to listen to essentially the same album dozens of times.

Is this a good album? Yes I think it is. But it's not one I would listen to again. I like that you can see a lot of what's to come in this record but it just isn't something that really holds my attention. It does deserve its place on the list but it would fall into the "rightfully here, but not my thing" column for me. 3/5

Does this list need this many entries by The Byrds? I would say no. This is not bad, but I struggle to find it all that interesting either.

I liked that is short. I'm sure it was interesting when it was released and experimental too but we would need to listen to the albums in chronological order to appreciate that. Judging just by what it is now, it's a cute, short, folky rock album. It's good, but this one doesn't need a second listening.

Not a lot of interest here. Yes, it's 60s folky-rock with some maybe psychedelic influences, but having said that, the whole is so much less than the sum of its parts. I'm sure this spot could have been used by something a little more worthy. At least it's over quickly, though

Folk-a-delic

Nope. Not interesting, nor experimental, nor strange, nor envelope-pushing. This is a really bland album that I have no words for, because it’s t doesn’t really deserve them.
5.1/10
DOES IT BELONG ON THE LIST: NO
REASON: BORINGGG

fun

I like some Byrds but this album never managed to get it's claws in me except on a few tracks.

Some great ideas and sounds thrown at this but the blandly pristeen harmonies put me off a bit.

More of the fucking Byrds? When will it end? Everybody likes to complain about the number of Elvis Costello albums, but 5 Byrds albums? 5!?!?

The only thing I'll say in their defense is that they do change their sound quite a bit. Unfortunately none of the sounds are good.

Why the long face?

Jokes aside, this is the kind of "throw a bunch of genres in a blender" stuff I really like. Very enjoyable.

I'll give The Notorious Byrd Brothers one thing. With the exception of Change is Now and Space Oddity, which suck, the rest of the album is actually pretty solid as far as psych rocks albums go. Still not my thing, so it'll only get a 3, but its got some interesting, intricate stuff.

And did not expect an interpolation of Dave Brubeck's Take Five on Tribal Gathering.

I'd definitely remove a Byrds album or two from the list, but this one is definitely essential.

Honestly liking this more than I was expecting.

First listen. I’m enjoying this. The psych-inspired rhythms between multiple guitars are great. I’m not in love with the vocals or the vocal production, but it is manageable. Highlight- Dolphin’s Smile, Tribal Gathering Draft Morning. Lowlight- Moog Raga, it’s nice that this is one of the first major records to feature the synth, it’s just not a good song.

3.5 but I’m in a generous mood

Not bad, surprised there are 5 albums from these guys on the list. However it's not amazing, I might revisit, for now - 3 stars

The last great Byrds album, reflecting a more grown up post Sergeant Pepper’s version of the band, with and without both Crosby and Clark at times. The songs are very strong and the sound is leaner and less lush, with old friend Rickenbacker buried and adding only the occasional sparkle. The effect is impressive and very worthy of inclusion In this exercise.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘉𝘺𝘳𝘥 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 is one of the more psychedelic albums I’ve come across from the late 1960s. Even by the standards of the era, the record has a dreamlike quality, blending folk rock, psychedelia, country influences, and studio experimentation into something that feels surprisingly cohesive.

What I like most is how subtle much of it is. Rather than overwhelming the listener with effects or lengthy jams, The Byrds weave their psychedelic ideas into concise, melodic songs. The result is an album that feels adventurous without losing its sense of direction.

It may not be the first album I think of when discussing psychedelic rock, but it’s one of the most rewarding. The more time I spend with it, the more there seems to be beneath the surface.