The Byrds - The fifth dimension

This is my contribution to the blog today! This summer I fell in love with an old classic band, I tried again the flavor of the sixties..and I found something amazing, something that made me feel just great. The Byrds! I knew already some songs from them but never had the chance to listen the whole record from them. They have such a beautiful psychedelic sound I just feel cool when I listen to them.. Great music and great people. I was very pleased this summer to talk about them with my friends Toni and Civi! Toni buying records of the Byrds, incredible! Anyway…here you are the Byrds and the 5th dimension!

I have taken the review of this record from a blogger:  Psychodelichar in his blog the60sound.

The Byrds were a popular American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. They are considered one of the most important and influential bands of the 1960s.

Their music bridged the gap between the socially and spiritually conscious folk music of Bob Dylan and the complex pop of The Beatles. Throughout their career they helped forge such subgenres as folk rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and – on their 1968 classic Sweetheart Of The Rodeo –country rock inviting Gram Parsons on rhythm guitar. The original lineup consisted of Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Jim (Roger) McGuinn and Gene Clark. After several line-up changes (with lead singer/guitarist McGuinn as the only consistent member), they broke up in 1973.

The Byrds

from left to right : David Crosby (guitar, back vocals), Chris Hillman (bass guitar), Roger McGuinn (lead vocals, banjo, moog), Michael Clarke (drums), Gene Clark (guitar, harp, tambourine, back vocals)

My words : When someone mention the Byrds, first thought that come to my mind are these : Beatlesque folky rock with elements of psychedelic rock that ruled the 60s with evergreen hits; the group that covered Bob Dylan the most, but also : brilliant group that captured flowy feel of careless 60s during heydays of psychedelia. This album is their introduction to psychedelic rock and is the one of best albums to start if you're into this kind of rock. First tune is mellow "5D (Fifth Dimension)" with translucent feel; some speculated it's about feeling high while on drugs, but there's some science in it, too :) It's also their intro to country style they'll later adopt. "Wild Mountain Thyme" is their way of seeing folk rock - vocals singing harmonies with jangly guitar that speaks out "The Byrds" with it's tone. "Mr. Spaceman" is rock n roll story about alien abduction, it's really fun to listen, because most of people are afraid of alien, but here - the Byrds are begging aliens to take them on a trip. Awesome. "I See You" has strong the-60s-LA-sound - you can clearly hear where Strawberry Alarm Clock picked up their influence. "What's Happening ! !" is Crosby's song that started asking insoluble questions. Song explores oriental culture, adopting raga rock into their opus. "I Come and Stand at Every Door" is song adaptation of Nazim Kihmet's poem Kız Çocuğu (The Little Girl) - anti-war song about ghost of a young kid (I hope I understand it right?) that died in Hiroshima during atomic bombing. "Eight Miles High" is their most-known song from this album and it's a truly masterpiece of psychedelic rock. Droning intro pours into a wild-running guitar solo that ends with beautiful harmonies singing chorus. I love how they use their vocals as one instrument, bending and shaping path of the song.

"Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go)" is covered rock classic by Billy Roberts that's already been covered by numerous bands including Love and Jimi Hendrix Experience. Its good version, but can't stand a chance next to Hendrix's. Next one is psychedelic instrumental "Captain Soul" that grew out from studio jamming to Lee Dorsey's "Get Out My Life,Woman" , but I've got to add that this sounds like a homage to Booker T & MG's, really nice and refreshing. "John Riley" is cover of a traditional song, but however this tune didn't seemed so special to me. Nice intro riff, but except that there's nothing exciting. "2-4-2 Fox Trot (The Lear Jet Song)" is just a cheery tune with repeating refrain and background sounds of   airplanes, nothing really special. This album would feel much better if it isn't so much pop-oriented (no longer songs than 3:38). However, there's some bonus tracks (the best one is "I Know You Rider") to keep you occupied when you finish the album. This is one of the most essential psychedelic albums before Summer of Love and I recommend this to you if you're into 60s psychedelic rock-pop bands like Jefferson Airplane, Buffalo Springfield, Moby Grape, Strawberry Alarm Rock and others. Peace