Roger McGuinn's 1973 self-titled solo debut was in most respects a breath of fresh air after the final days of
the Byrds, in which the group was floundering in directionless mediocrity. In a sense, it's a back-to-basics album that emphasizes much of what
McGuinn does so well: his forceful reedy vocals, his guitar playing, and his skills at both writing earnest folk-rock material (usually with future
Bob Dylan collaborator
Jacques Levy here) and interpreting unusual traditional and contemporary songs. Never was it folkier than on the acoustic "I'm So Restless," which benefited from harmonica by
Dylan himself (about whom the song was partially about). All four of the other original
Byrds play on "My New Woman," which is virtually a reunion of the original quintet, with the addition of saxophone by jazzman
Charles Lloyd;
David Crosby makes unobtrusive cameos on some other tracks. As likable as it is, however, the album isn't an unqualified triumph. Some of the songs aren't so hot, some of the Moog synthesizer (by
McGuinn) is unnecessary, his vocals sometimes seem to have been recorded with too much brittleness, and none of this is as good as the best of
the Byrds. Unexpected influences make themselves heard in
the Beach Boys harmonies of "Draggin'" (with
Bruce Johnston of
the Beach Boys on piano and backup harmonies), the Vietnam blues of "Hanoi Hannah," and the gospel-rock of "Stone." ~ Richie Unterberger