Today we have the Byrds' third studio album Fifth Dimension. For the 1966 release, the band moved into a more psychedelic and experimental lane. Founding member Gene Clark, who was the primary songwriter for the first two albums, left the band before recording sessions began so Roger McGuinn and David Crosby had to increase their songwriting output for the album. It is also their first album without any Bob Dylan covers.
On side one, the Byrds are back and better than ever--not only do "I See You" and "Mr. Spaceman" represent the pinnacle of the sound they introduced on their debut Mr. Tambourine Man, but "Wild Mountain Thyme" and "Fifth Dimension" exhibit the band brilliantly succeeding in their ambitious delve into psychedelic pop. On the flip side however, side two is a little bumpy. Although they don't touch the strength of "John Riley" and the excellent "Eight Miles High," the out of place "Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go)" and the disappointing "2-4-2 Fox Trot" do weaken the instrumental track "Captain Soul," which needs better company to appear interesting. B+
