The Byrds

The Byrds' penultimate album barely charted and isn't ranked among their classics. But, come on, this is the Byrds, and 1971's Farther Along combines a laid-back California country rock groove with the kind of heartfelt acoustic bluegrass that longhairs still aren't supposed to be able to play. "Bugler"'s nostalgic glow alone validates the album's existence -- and there are plenty more songs here worth rediscovery.

Farther Along is the Byrds' first completely self-produced LP, and exists as a kind of
backlash to Terry Melcher's elaborate string and choir-laden production of Byrdmaniax.
Farther Along was recorded within three months of Byrdmaniax, so eager was the band to
make amends. Because of their closeness in time, their programmatic similarity is not
surprising, though the sound has been considerably cleaned up. The personaliti... More >

On that downhill road--to Kim Fowley, to songs about Antique Sandy and Precious Kate, to the day when the agent man collects what you owe him. (Grade - C)