Fifth Dimension
Artist: The Byrds
Community Score: 6.16

Although the Byrds' Fifth Dimension was wildly uneven, its high points were as innovative as any rock music being recorded in 1966. Immaculate folk-rock was still present in their superb arrangements of the traditional songs "Wild Mountain Thyme" and "John Riley." For the originals, they devised some of the first and best psychedelic rock, often... Read More

Rhinoceros
Artist: Rhinoceros

The product of producer Paul Rothchild, Rhinoceros was conceived, planned and executed as a 'supergroup'. This was the groups' reason d'entre, and ultimately, their downfall. Pieced together after a marathon series of jams at the producers' house in the spring of 1968, the goal was to create the heaviest band of the time. Rothchild and Elektra... Read More

The Best of the Lovin' Spoonful, Vol. 1
Artist: The Lovin' Spoonful

This first Lovin' Spoonful hits collection, released in March 1967, gathers The Spoonful's five successful singles from July 1965 to June 1966 -- "Do You Believe in Magic," "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice," "Daydream," "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?," and "Summer in the City." But, as the title suggests, it is more of a "best of" than a... Read More

Side Trips
Artist: Kaleidoscope

Although the Bay Area may have seemed to corner the market on the psychedelic "Summer of Love", the equally bountiful Los Angeles scene was the breeding ground for one of the more inventive units of the mid- to late-'60s. The incipient incarnation of Kaleidoscope synthesized rock & roll with roots and world music, first yielding Side Trips... Read More

It Ain't Me Babe
Artist: The Turtles

The Turtles' first album presents them as a folk-rock group covering a lot of Dylan and P. F. Sloan material. They also found "It Was a Very Good Year" on a Kingston Trio album and cut it. Frank Sinatra heard their version and had one of his bigger hits with it, but their version is good too. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide Read More

Oar - BONUS TRACKS
Artist: Skip Spence

No one except psychedelic Renaissance man Alexander "Skippy" Spence could have created an album such as Oar. Alternately heralded as a "soundtrack to schizophrenia" and a "visionary solo effort," Oar became delegated to cut out and bargain bins shortly after its release in the spring of 1969. However those who did hear it were instantly drawn... Read More

Moby Grape
Artist: Moby Grape
Community Score: 9.90

Moby Grape's career was a long, sad series of minor disasters, in which nearly anything that could have gone wrong did (poor handling by their record company, a variety of legal problems, a truly regrettable deal with their manager, creative and personal differences among the band members, and the tragic breakdown of guitarist and songwriter... Read More

The Notorious Byrd Brothers
Artist: The Byrds
Community Score: 7.00

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... Read More

The Byrds' Greatest Hits
Artist: The Byrds

Without question, the Byrds were one of the great bands of the '60s and one of the few American bands of their time to continually turn out inventive, compelling albums. As they were recording a series of fine records, they turned out a number of classic singles that unquestionably defined their era. The Byrds' Greatest Hits does an excellent... Read More

Younger Than Yesterday
Artist: The Byrds
Community Score: 7.33

Younger Than Yesterday was somewhat overlooked at the time of its release during an intensely competitive era that found the Byrds on a commercial downslide. However, time has shown it to be the most durable of the Byrds' albums, with the exception of Mr. Tambourine Man. David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, and especially Chris Hillman come into their... Read More

Stone Poneys Featuring Linda Ronstadt
Artist: Stone Poneys

It doesn't have "Different Drum," but the first Stone Poneys album is their folkiest and best, dominated by close harmonies and strong original material by the group's guitarists, Bob Kimmel and Ken Edwards. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide Read More