The Byrds - 20 Essential Tracks From The Boxed Set:  1965-1990
During the '60s, the Byrds were one of the consistently interesting groups that expanded and changed their sound with nearly every record. This 20 track sampler of the admirable 4-CD boxed set features a good chunk of what made the Byrds an impressive bunch. From the first chiming 12-string guitar notes of "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!" to the hyper-real psychedelia of "Eight Miles High" to the country rock of "Goin' Back" and "Chestnut Mare," they always found their footing. The four tracks from their 1990 reunion are for fanatics only and the absence of any excellent Gram Parsons material is disappointing. However, the rest is simply life changing. --Rob O'Connor