94. The Byrds — Younger Than Yesterday (1967)

1. Our third Byrds record find the most complete vision yet for the band, a rocking, beautiful, tight 30 minute album that’s really enjoyable to spend time with. Album opener “So You Want To Be A Rock ’n’ Roll Star” is a great satirization of bands like the Monkeys, while simultaneously serving as a bit of pop gold that holds up on its own. “CTA-102” is weird and experimental in an almost Radiohead-esque way, but without ever losing its head up its own ass. “My Back Pages” is a great Dylan cover, the only one on this album after the Byrds relied heavily on Dylan in their earlier albums.
2. The centerpiece is a David Crosby masterpiece, “Everybody’s Been Burned,” a dark song about the emotional walls we place around ourselves. At 3:05, it’s still somehow one of the longest songs on the album, and merits your close attention.
3. The album itself features introduction of subtle brass and psychedelic sounds, and bass player Chris Hillman picks up songwriting duties for the first time while also laying down some slinky bass lines. It’s not breaking any major walls down — just a nice expansion of what The Byrds could be, presented in a sharp, satisfying package.

One Essential Song:

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