The Byrds Universal Mind Decoder

Track 17, a bonus track from the 1997 reissue of their fifth album “The Notorious Byrd Brothers” released in 1968 copyright Columbia Records. This was the band’s most experimental album due to the use of new studio techniques like phase shifters, flangers and stereo panning. It was also one of the first albums to feature the Moog synthesizer, introduced to the band the year before at The Monterey Pop Festival. The album was again recorded at Columbia Studios in Hollywood and the recording sessions were tense and confrontational. David Crosby was fired and Michael Clarke left the band during the sessions. Gene Clark briefly rejoined the band for three weeks, then thought better of it and left again. It’s considered one of their more overlooked albums reaching only No. 47 in the U.S. and No. 12 in the U.K. despite receiving excellent reviews and considered by many to be their best album. Written by Chris Hillman & Roger McGuinn and produced by Gary Usher. RIP Clarence White, Red Rhodes, Paul Beaver, Gary Usher