Listed below are the overall rankings for the best albums in history as determined by their aggregate positions in over 59,000 different greatest album charts on BestEverAlbums.com! (Chart last updated: 1 hour ago).
"Seminal cd from back when. Don't think I've ever heard it before, it's one of those you never quite got around to picking up. Picked up for pence in the charity shop because don't those 90s CDs sound just fine? Sounds exactly like what I thought it would (apart from I didn't realise cd one was un...""Seminal cd from back when. Don't think I've ever heard it before, it's one of those you never quite got around to picking up. Picked up for pence in the charity shop because don't those 90s CDs sound just fine? Sounds exactly like what I thought it would (apart from I didn't realise cd one was unmixed) which means it's a winner."[+]Reply
"Along with “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” this album is the most country-influeced album in the Byrds catalogue. But whereas “Sweetheart” tends to lean on classical country, “Ballad of Easy Rider” shows a much broader approach. This greater variety in styles, plus overall stronger material, makes this...""Along with “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” this album is the most country-influeced album in the Byrds catalogue. But whereas “Sweetheart” tends to lean on classical country, “Ballad of Easy Rider” shows a much broader approach. This greater variety in styles, plus overall stronger material, makes this much more satisfying album than it´s much-acclaimed predecessor, which I honestly speaking find somewhat over-rated.
There is a mature and releaxed feeling in these recordings, and though there is a mellow mood in many of the lyrics, it is somehow quite an uplifting experience to listen to the album.
The playing is great, with brilliant guitar work from McGuinn and in particular Clarence White. The vocals and especially the harmonies are of the same high standards that characterize all Byrds albums; great that Clarence White was finally given a lead vocal. His gritty nasal vocals on “Oil in My Lamp” help making the track one of many highlights on the album. In fact, this may be the first album where White really shines as an equal partner to McGuinn, who was now the only original member of the band.
McGuinn was never a very productive songwriter for the Byrds, and here he only contributes one new song, but on the other hand an outstanding one, “Ballad of Easy Rider”.
All member have lead vocals, and though neither John York not Gene Parsons are great lead-singers, their contributions come out quite convincingly.
Highlights, though, are songs songs with McGuinn in front. “Tulsa County” is a fine song with great vocals and fine harmonies. Even more breath-taking is their new version slower version of Dylan´s “It´s All Over Now, Baby Blue”, and McGuinn´s treatment of Woody Guthrie´s “Deportee” is just beautiful.
Among the seven bonus-tracks you´ll find some real gems. Especially Jackson Browne´s “Mae Jean Goes to Hollywood” and considering the short playing-time of the original album, it´s a big mystery why this fine recording was left out. Along with the title track song is probably the closest they come to early Byrds-sound ( Younger than Yesterday ).
“Way Beyond the Sun” is a nice country-blues song, which may not be among the most memorable Byrds-recordings, but still as good as couple of the weaker original-tracks. The alternate versions are all fine; especially the longer version of “Ballad of Easy Rider”.
https://www.angelfire.com/nv/Badfinger/BANDbyrds.html"[+]Reply
""Evolution" was the first of two Hollies albums released in 1967. The band did a lot of experimenting in those years, both in songwriting and arrangements. Some of it worked, some of it didn't. "Butterfly" is often hailed as their finest and most consistent, whereas "Evolution" suffers from being..."""Evolution" was the first of two Hollies albums released in 1967. The band did a lot of experimenting in those years, both in songwriting and arrangements. Some of it worked, some of it didn't. "Butterfly" is often hailed as their finest and most consistent, whereas "Evolution" suffers from being anything but consistent. The songwriting is more or less on par with "Butterfly", but some arrangements in various degrees ruin the songs.
Worst is the "underwater" effect put on Graham Nash's voice on "Lullaby to Tim". It could have been a great track, but as it is, it's almost unlistenable. I have often wondered if a version with unruined vocals exists.
The distorted guitars put on the opening track "The the Heartaches Begin" and "Have You Ever Loved Somebody", give a forced feeling that does not help the songs, which are really good Hollies songs. The Searchers proved that "Have You Ever Loved Somebody" even had hit-potentials.
Enough negative words said, because there are plenty of succesful tracks that make the album quite enjoyable after all.
Like on the previous album all songs were written by Clarke, Hicks and Nash and Allan Clarke and Graham Nash more or less share the lead vocals with Tony Hicks joining in on choruses etc.
"Stop Right There" is a nice quiet Graham Nash ballad; fine violin solo. Nash also takes the lead vocals on one of the big highlights on the album "When Your Lights Turned On"; classic up-beat Hollies with great guitars and harmonies.
The nostalgic "Ye Olde Toffee Shop" featuring harpsichord is quite charming, but no more.
On "Games We Play" Clarke and Nash share the lead vocals. Incredible that this song was not released as a single. Extremely catchy with funny ( naive ) teenage lyrics.
Allan Clarke demonstrates his powerful vocals on several tracks such as "You Need Love" and "Leave Me".
"Water on the Brain" is another example; a song which also features a charming trombone solo.
So all in all you could call it a hit and miss album, mostly hits!
By the way, this review refers to the British version of the album.
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"They probably did the blues better than any other glam rock hair band in the 80s. The follow up to this album was a straight up blues album but this one held on to the stadium glam of its predecessor Night Songs. This album encapsulates the band perfectly and is their best release."Reply
""I think it was the first time I realized that I can change the world, or at least change the way you and my sister hit the clock on every tick just to see what happened. The time has really flown by I guess and it's hard to think of the way it might've been or remember very specifically the word..."""I think it was the first time I realized that I can change the world,
or at least change the way you and my sister hit the clock on every tick just to see what happened.
The time has really flown by I guess and it's hard to think of the way it might've been or remember very specifically the words and all the rest of it.
I was down, more than I wanted to be probably.
That is what we do with it all together,
like the orange trees in the backyard and it's Easter and it just won't end.
Fucking Phil, he's off with his boys somewhere and I'm just sitting here getting more and more lost with everything.
And that was the thing about it, it's not as if a cousin promised something and taken it away.
It was like nobody could share my so-called dreams, which really meant none of it was happening.
And that reach around midnight left her with just about that, nothing.
There's not anything particular about it either and I think the whole thing gets vaguer every second,
but I am too and there's nothing wrong with that.
It's even funny when you stop to realize I'm just nineteen,
and how serious can anything be anyway? Not very.""[+]Reply