Byrdmaniax

Untitled

Byrdmaniax is an album by American band The Byrds, released in 1971 (see 1971 in music). It remains one of their most controversial, largely in part due to the heavy strings producer Terry Melcher poured on many of the tracks, reportedly while The Byrds were on the road and without their approval.

Upon release, Byrdmaniax did much to undo the critical standing The Byrds had earned thanks to Ballad of Easy Rider and (Untitled) and it faded quickly from the public's consciousness, only reaching #46 in the US in a short chart stay, and failing to crack the UK charts at all.

Although wildly uneven, and weak in places (i.e. "Tunnel Of Love" and "Citizen Kane"), Byrdmaniax isn't as appalling as it was said to be in 1971, and in fact stands as a competent, in-parts-enjoyable album from The Byrds.

Track listing

1. "Glory, Glory" (A. Reynolds) - 4:03
2. "Pale Blue" (Roger McGuinn/Gene Parsons) - 2:22
3. "I Trust" (Roger McGuinn) - 3:19
4. "Tunnel Of Love" (Skip Battin/Kim Fowley) - 4:59
5. "Citizen Kane" (Skip Battin/Kim Fowley) - 2:36
6. "I Wanna Grow Up To Be A Politician" (Roger McGuinn/J. Levy) - 2:03
7. "Absolute Happiness" (Skip Battin/Kim Fowley) - 2:38
8. "Green Apple Quick Step" (Gene Parsons/Clarence White) - 1:49
9. "My Destiny" (H. Carter) - 3:38
10. "Kathleen's Song" (Roger McGuinn/J. Levy) - 2:40
11. "Jamaica Say You Will" (Jackson Browne) - 3:27

• Byrdmaniax was remastered and re-issued in 2000 with three bonus tracks from its sessions.