Byrds- Fifth Dimension

Fifth Dimension

If you don't look back and put this album in perspective it might be difficult to recognize how important and ground breaking the Byrds were. In 1966 The Rolling Stones were just breaking away from R&B covers, the Who- were not in this country, Jimi Hendrix was backing up the Isley Brothers, the Beach Boys had just released Pet Sounds and the Beatles- well they were in a league of their own but the Byrds with the Fifth Dimensions it was obvious that they weren't just folk music played loud.
The cover only shows four Byrds: McQuinn, Crosby, Hillman and Clarke but Gene Clark's 8 Miles High was the track that created controversy - we know now that it is isn't the drug sung that some people thought it was and other people wished it was. It's about flying to London.
David Crosby delivers three great songs: I See You ,What's Happening and Why. Roger McQuinn takes charge with the Fifth Dimension, Mr. Spaceman, Hey Joe, 2-4-2 Fox Trot (the Lear Jet Song).
The Byrds playing is sharp, crisp and innovative. Their trademark tightly knit harmonies surround electric guitars that were just starting to really distort. It's almost the Summer of Love a year early but it's clearly an important American band hitting its creative stride.