After The Byrds first album release, Mr. Tambourine Man released earlier in 1965, the group powered on with their wonderful and distinctive Folk Rock Music. In fact, The Byrds likely inspired Bob Dylan to go electric in the same year at the Newport Folk Festival in July 1965, which was a huge change of style and approach from him, creating mixed reactions from his own audience. This album all the same, although not seen as good as the first album released by The Byrds, is often seen as a classic album in its own right. There were inter-band tensions, however, particularly between songwriter Roger McGuinn and the rest of The Byrds, namely due to a Noel Gallagher styled approach to creativity and songwriting along with income arising from that. Even so, this is an album that should not be overlooked in the history of music, even if it essentially was considered to be more of the same as The Byrds debut album earlier on in the year. Let’s take a listen to this album and we shall hear how it stacks up today.

Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season) is a Pete Seeger piece, and begins with some loose electric guitar parts, launching into a pleasant and highly enjoyable song that sounds marvellous and brilliant simultaneously. The mixture of excellent singing, playing and creative musicianship is stunning. This music sounds somewhat Psychedelic and drug-influenced, mainly lyrically, but it still retains its gracious Folk Rock musical basis. All in all, an absolutely killer piece of music that casts one’s mind back to the mid-1960s, a completely different time in human history in comparison to today. In the second half is some awesome 12-string electric guitar playing, gradual changes and nice drumming in the background. One can easily hear where the 13th Floor Elevators got their musical ideas from in a way. A fantastic piece of music, although perhaps not as iconic as the music from their debut album, this is still magical and moving. Great from start to finish. A really overlooked gem.

It Won’t Be Wrong begins with some sweet chiming Rickenbacker guitar parts, and enters into a short and very sweet tune to listen to. This music still sounds really fantastic and great to this day, showcasing a more interesting and intellectual side to Folk Rock and Pop Music of the day. These numbers sound different yet fantastic throughout. Another solidly great listening experience from start to finish, with a pseudo-breakdown section with a shuffle groove. Very very good. Worth your ears.

Set You Free This Time has more pleasant chiming guitars and enters into a strange love song that has power and grace musically. A really great tune to listen to, this points out the mellow and lovely feeling of this sensationally great music. The Byrds did this unique kind of music a great deal of justice, and the music is upbeat and elating throughout this tune. A great song with its own unique and gorgeous musicianship on it, this is likely the most cheerful breakup song ever done. A very good listen, the guitar work in particular is noteworthy. A harmonica solo enters as this song begins to wrap up and fade out. Sweet.

Lay Down Your Weary Tune is a Bob Dylan original. This begins with some awesome dual-tracked vocals, excellent multiple guitar parts and good percussion to match. This is another fantastic song to listen to by a very underrated 1960s group that, quite frankly, deserves more credit than they get. In any case, the jangly guitars and sensitive lyrics likely influenced later bands such as The Smiths in the distant future. A super cool tune, this is a magical and unforgettable listen with some of Bob Dylan’s best lyrics throughout for this subject matter. This works, put simply. A short, sweet and very enjoyable listen from The Byrds, this sounds quite unlike anything else. This sounds awesome and is totally worthy of your time and listening effort. Great to hear.

He Was A Friend Of Mine begins with super sweet 12-string acoustic and supporting instrumentation that sounds really excellent. This song is an adaptation of a traditional piece of music with new lyrics. Still, it sounds awesome and fantastic. If you are a fan of 1960s Music, you will definitely love this particular song and its parent album. A tragic lyrical tale of the USA sort, this music is absolutely wonderful and sensationally sweet to listen to. If you need guitar-based music to lay back and listen to in a hammock, this is it. It ends with jangly guitars, very nice.

The World Turns All Around Her begins with more cool Rickenbacker guitar parts and goes into a magical and fresh-sounding song that sounds pretty, diverse and unique. These songs are definitely worth hitting the repeat button, especially considering how short and excellent they are. This is exactly what you need to hear if you dig 1960s Pop/Rock Music and the first album by The Byrds. Another sweet and sensational listen about a woman who has hurt one and moved on, this is a really cool listen. Different yet pleasantly so.

Satisfied Mind begins with some watery guitar, great songcraft and some excellent singing throughout. This points back to a simpler time in human history and illuminates the greater side of the 1960s, set to music. A really enjoyable tune to listen to, this is very listenable and wonderful throughout. Cool and slow music with no drums, just guitars and singing throughout. This is about the fact that money isn’t as important as people often think it is. A harmonica solo is present towards the end, and this gives a definite Folk Music Bob Dylan vibe to this song. Nice to hear anyway.

If You’re Gone has a very John Lennon sounding vocal throughout from the start of it all. Again, this is a very short but irresistibly sweet-sounding piece of music and musicianship. The Byrds were accomplished musicians, period. This Pop/Rock tune sounds mellow and sweet yet lyrically full of despair. This also sounds surprisingly upbeat and commercially accessible for such lyrics. A really great listening experience that is enjoyable musically and deep lyrically, with some great singing and pleasant harmonies to match. A great listen from start to finish, even if the music is very 1960s. Cool.

The Times They Are A-Changin’ is of course a Bob Dylan cover. It begins with chiming guitars and launches into a gorgeous and excellent rendition of the classic Bob Dylan song. This is super short as well, and the music is very consistent and amazing to listen to. The Byrds do these songs justice and they make a cover sound just like an original. The guitar work in particular on this song is really fantastic to listen to. A real joy to listen to, this music is special in a very good way. It ends with some solo guitar parts that sound excellent, concluding with some subtle drumming. Great.

Wait and See begins with some sweet opening arpeggios on guitar, quickly launching into the song at hand. This is another joyous, fresh and awesome tune that showcases an often overlooked 1960s album that has great and influential promise about it. The music throughout is really sensationally good and it is mellow, loveable and unlike anything else in the history of music. Singing about lusting after a lady of fancy, The Byrds nailed 1960s romanticism in their own inimitable way. The guitar solo present is really unique sounding and fantastic. Nonetheless, a cool listen that demands repeat listens. Superb.

Oh! Susannah is the final tune on this album, sounding a lot like the Classical Music piece Greensleeves from the start. A really fantastic and Eastern-sounding piece, until the drums and other instrumentation kick in. Nonetheless, this is a fun and glorious listen that ends this album on a high note. With some lyrics that are in pseudo-Country Music territory, this is followed by guitar playing that sounds very Eastern. The verse/chorus kicks back in and this album finishes it all on a high note. Another sublime listening experience, this is definitely worth your ears. Towards the end are marching band-style drums over the repeated guitar parts. It ends with some mouth-watering sounds and a golden finale.

To be fair, the critics were mostly correct about this album. It is a great listening experience, just probably not as great as the album prior to it by The Byrds, Mr. Tambourine Man. Still, it would be ridiculous to ignore the power, elegance and beauty of this album’s music. This is another winner by The Byrds and something you should seriously consider having in your collection. Should you listen to this album? If you like 1960s romanticism-based Pop/Rock Music, then you will be at home here. Only fans of Heavy Music will not enjoy this. 30 minutes of purely magical music is present.

A bold follow-up to a classic debut album.

8/10