811 The Byrds - Fifth Dimension (1966)

 811 The Byrds - Fifth Dimension (1966)

Studio Album- Folk Rock




About the Act:

The Byrds were an American Folk/Rock/Psychedelic band from California and from 1964-1973, then again from 1989-91, and once more in 2000. They are most famous for "Mr Tambourine Man" and "Turn Turn Turn". After initially being Folk Rock, (think Bob Dylan) they then became Psychedelic, and finally Country Rock. They were considered to be pioneers in all three genres in their main stint of existence they produced 12 studio albums.


About the Album:

This was the band's third studio album, and was created after the departure of their primary songwriter Gene Clark. McGuinn and Crosby stepped into these shoes. There are a few covers also, but this was the first Byrds album with no Bob Dylan covers.


My History with this Album:

None.


Review:

I have heard of the Byrds. Any serious compilation of 60s music seems to feature at least Mr Tambourine Man, and possibly Turn, Turn, Turn. Neither of those are on this album. There are, however, the tracks Wild Mountain Thyme (a traditional song) and Eight Miles High, which I know. Also Hey Joe, which is quite different to Jimi Hendrix's version, and I kind of remember Mr Spaceman.

This album seems to happen as the band are transitioning from Folk Rock, of the style of Bob Dylan and others (an essential flavour of the 60s) into more psychedelic waters (also an essential flavour of the 60s). In fact, in some ways, this sounds and feels like an archetypal 60s album. Want to know what sort of thing was popular in the 60s? This sort of thing. The last song 2-4-2 Fox Trot (The Lear Jet Song) includes sound effects which was less archetypal, and the track I Come And Stand At Every Door is quite unusual compared to the others - effectively a protest song about Hiroshima. If I were to pick one song to be as typical as possible it would be Mr Spaceman.

It's a bunch of songs, they are decent songs. The performances are reasonable, some of the jangly guitar sounds like it's fumbled, but apparently that was a thing. If you love The Byrds then this might be required listening. If you kind of like 60s music, like me, then this is probably a pleasant listen for you, I found it so. Pleasant, mildly interesting, good, decent, all of these adjectives apply - positive but not superlative.


6.8/10


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3dfPMayEO2G87wzXPMEvmb

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz6cAheObZciD15TP-vovKU1M8AvhWqBB

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Dimension_(album)



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