The Byrds’ 1966 album “Fifth Dimension” marked a turning point for the band, as they began to move away from their signature folk-rock sound and towards a more experimental, psychedelic sound.
Track Listing:
Side One:
“5D (Fifth Dimension)” – A trippy, experimental track featuring unusual time signatures and psychedelic lyrics.
“Wild Mountain Thyme” – A traditional folk song given a psychedelic makeover, with swirling guitars and intricate harmonies.
“Mr. Spaceman” – A fun, whimsical track about an encounter with an alien, with a catchy chorus and jangly guitars.
“I See You” – An experimental track with a heavy psychedelic influence, featuring layered guitars and abstract lyrics.
“What’s Happening?!?!” – A protest song with a catchy chorus and a message of peace and love.
Side Two:
“I Come and Stand at Every Door” – A poignant, haunting track based on a poem by a Turkish poet about the aftermath of a nuclear bomb.
“Eight Miles High” – A groundbreaking track that was one of the first to incorporate Indian-influenced drone music into rock and roll.
“Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go)” – A cover of a traditional blues song given a psychedelic twist, with a memorable guitar solo by Roger McGuinn.
“Captain Soul” – An experimental track with a catchy chorus and surreal lyrics.
“John Riley” – A traditional folk song given a rock and roll makeover, with intricate harmonies and a catchy chorus.
“2-4-2 Fox Trot (The Lear Jet Song)” – A fun, whimsical track about traveling in a Lear Jet, with a catchy chorus and jangly guitars.
Overall, “Fifth Dimension” is a groundbreaking album that helped to pave the way for the psychedelic rock movement of the late 1960s. With its experimental sound, intricate harmonies, and socially conscious lyrics, it stands as a testament to the Byrds’ creativity and innovation. From the Indian-influenced drone of “Eight Miles High” to the whimsical charm of “Mr. Spaceman”, “Fifth Dimension” is a classic album that continues to inspire and influence musicians to this day.
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