The Notorious Byrd Brothers by The Byrds - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

The recording sessions for the Byrds' fifth album, The Notorious Byrd Brothers, were conducted in the midst of internal turmoil that found them reduced to a duo by the time the record was completed. That wasn't evident from listening to the results, which showed the group continuing to expand the parameters of their eclecticism while retaining their hallmark guitar jangle and harmonies. With assistance from producer Gary Usher, they took more chances in the studio, enhancing the spacy quality of tracks like "Natural Harmony" and Goffin & King's "Wasn't Born to Follow" with electronic phasing. Washes of Moog synthesizer formed the eerie backdrop for "Space Odyssey," and the songs were craftily and unobtrusively linked with segues and fades. But the Byrds did not bury the essential strengths of their tunes in effects: "Goin' Back" (also written by Goffin & King) was a magnificent and melodic cover with the expected tasteful 12-string guitar runs that should have been a big hit. "Tribal Gathering" has some of the band's most effervescent harmonies; "Draft Morning" is a subtle and effective reflection of the horrors of the Vietnam War; and "Old John Robertson" looks forward to the country-rock that would soon dominate their repertoire. [The CD reissue adds six bonus tracks, including different versions of "Goin' Back" and "Draft Morning," a few instrumentals, and David Crosby's controversial "Triad"; unlisted on the sleeve is a rehearsal outtake which captures comically vitriolic arguments among the band.] ~ Richie Unterberger

1. Artificial Energy

Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Composer: Michael Clarke
Chris Hillman
Roger Mcguinn; Composer
Lyricist: Chris Hillman
Roger Mcguinn
Michael Clarke; Composer
Engineer: Roy Halee
Don Thompson; Production
Mastering Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Mixing Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

2. Goin' Back

Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Composer: Carole King
Gerry Goffin
C. King
G. Goffin; Composer
Lyricist: Carole King
Gerry Goffin
C. King
G. Goffin; Composer
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

3. Natural Harmony

Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Composer: Chris Hillman; Composer
Lyricist: Chris Hillman; Composer
Engineer: Don Thompson
Roy Halee; Production
Mastering Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Mixing Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

4. Draft Morning

Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Composer: Roger Mcguinn
David Crosby
Chris Hillman; Composer
Lyricist: Roger Mcguinn
David Crosby
Chris Hillman; Composer
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

5. Wasn't Born to Follow

Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Composer: Carole King
Gerry Goffin
C. King
G. Goffin; Composer
Lyricist: Carole King
Gerry Goffin
C. King
G. Goffin; Composer
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

6. Get to You

Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Composer: R. Mcguinn
C. Hillman
Chillman; Composer
Engineer: Don Thompson
Roy Halee; Production
Mastering Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Mixing Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

7. Change Is Now (Single Version)

Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Composer: R. Mcguinn
C. Hillman
Chillman; Composer
Engineer: Don Thompson
Roy Halee; Production
Mastering Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Mixing Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

8. Old John Robertson

Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Composer: R. Mcguinn
C. Hillman
Chillman; Composer
Engineer: Don Thompson
Roy Halee; Production
Mastering Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Mixing Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

9. Tribal Gathering

Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Composer: David Crosby
Chris Hillman; Composer
Lyricist: David Crosby
Chris Hillman; Composer
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

10. Dolphin's Smile

Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Composer: Roger Mcguinn
David Crosby
Chris Hillman; Composer
Lyricist: Roger Mcguinn
David Crosby
Chris Hillman; Composer
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

11. Space Odyssey

Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Composer: Robert James Hippard
Roger Mcguinn; Composer
Lyricist: Roger Mcguinn
Robert James Hippard; Composer
Engineer: Roy Halee
Don Thompson; Production
Mastering Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Mixing Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

12. Moog Raga (instrumental)

Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Composer: R. Mcguinn; Composer
Lyricist: R. Mcguinn; Composer
Engineer: Don Thompson
Roy Halee; Production
Mastering Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Mixing Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

13. Bound to Fall (instrumental)

Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Composer: Thomas Mastin
Michael Brewer; Composer
Lyricist: Michael Brewer
Thomas Mastin; Composer
Engineer: Roy Halee
Don Thompson; Production
Mastering Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Mixing Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

14. Triad

Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Composer: David Crosby; Composer
Lyricist: David Crosby; Composer
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

15. Goin' Back (Extended Version)

Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Composer: Gerry Goffin
Carole King
C. King
G. Goffin; Composer
Engineer: Don Thompson
Roy Halee; Production
Mastering Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Mixing Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

16. Draft Morning (alternate end)

Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Composer: C. Hillman
R. Mcguinn
D. Crosby
Chillman; Composer
Engineer: Roy Halee
Don Thompson; Production
Mastering Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Mixing Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

17. Universal Mind Decoder (Alternate Backing Track)

Primary Artist: The Byrds; Main Performer
Performer: The Byrds; Performer
Composer: Roger Mcguinn
Chris Hillman; Composer
Lyricist: Roger Mcguinn
Chris Hillman; Composer
Producer: Gary Usher; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

17 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

47 minutes and 54 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 600x600 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

8/17 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

5/17 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Psychedelic, Singer & Songwriter, Folk-Rock, Soft Rock, Southern Rock, Country-Folk, Country Rock, Americana, Cosmic American Music

Label

Columbia - Legacy

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Jan 2, 1968

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

5099748675125