The Original Singles 1965-1967, Vol. 1

Though much has been written about how the Byrds pioneered folk-rock, country-rock, and jangle-pop; the fact that they began as a well-oiled hit machine is sometimes overlooked. This chronologically sequenced compilation serves as a reminder that in just two years, the Byrds churned out enough awesome hits and singles to contend with the likes of fellow Californians the Beach Boys and even the Beatles. Of course Bob Dylan proved an infallible influence as evidenced by their first chart topper, their 12-string Rickenbacker touched take on his “Mr. Tambourine Man” (here in all its mono glory) and the similarly chiming rendition of “All I Really Want to Do.” During his short tenure as the band’s frontman, troubled troubadour Gene Clark proved to be an incredible songwriter who today is revered in much the same way that Townes Van Zandt is – just listen to the infectiously catchy “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better” or the brilliantly crafted and executed “Set You Free This Time.” And though radio programmers banned “Eight Miles High” due to its drug references, the song helped birth psychedelia.