Today in Music (1968): The Byrds The Notorious Byrd Brothers released

The Notorious Byrd Brothers The Byrds

Released: January 3, 1968 Peak: 47 US, 12 UK, -- CN, -- AU Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Genre: folk rock

Tracks: Artificial Energy (Clarke / Hillman/ McGuinn) [2:18] Goin’ Back (Goffin / King) [3:26] (10/20/67, 89 BB, 58 CB, 56 HR, 28 CL) Natural Harmony (Hillman) [2:11] Draft Morning (Crosby / Hillman / McGuinn) [2:42] Wasn’t Born to Follow (Goffin / King / McGuinn) [2:04] (11/29/69, 66 HR, 23 CL) Get to You (Hillman / McGuinn) [2:39] Change Is Now (Hillman / McGuinn) [3:21] (41 CL) Old John Robertson (Hillman / McGuinn) [1:49] Tribal Gathering (Crosby / Hillman) [2:03] Dolphins’ Smile (Crosby / Hillman / McGuinn) [2:00] Space Odyssey (Hippard / Hippard / McGuinn) [3:52] Total Running Time: 28:28 The Players: Roger McGuinn (vocals, guitar) David Crosby (guitar, vocals) Chris Hillman (bass, vocals) Michael Clarke (drums)

Rating: 4.219 out of 5.00 (average of 29 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the 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.” AM “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.” AM Notes: “The CD reissue adds six bonus tracks, including different versions of ‘Goin’ Back’ and ‘Draft Morning,’ a few instrumentals [‘Moog Raga,’ ‘Bound to Fall,’ and ‘Universal Mind Decoder’], and David Crosby's controversial ‘Triad’; unlisted on the sleeve is a rehearsal outtake which captures comically vitriolic arguments among the band.” AM

Resources/References: AM AllMusic.com review by Richie Unterberger Related DMDB Pages: First posted 11/16/2010; last updated 10/18/2026.