 Released in January 1968 , The Notorious Byrd Brothers album saw the band taking their psychedelic experimentation to its furthest extremes by mixing folk rock , country music , jazz , and psychedelia ( often within a single song ) , while utilizing innovative studio production techniques such as phasing and flanging . The album featured contributions from a number of noted session musicians , including bluegrass guitarist and future Byrd , Clarence White . White , who had also played on Younger Than Yesterday , contributed country @-@ influenced guitar to the tracks " Natural Harmony " , " Wasn 't Born to Follow " and " Change Is Now " . Upon release , the album was almost universally praised by music critics but it was only moderately successful commercially , particularly in the United States where it peaked at number 47 . However , the album 's reputation has grown over the years and today it is widely regarded by critics and fans as one of the Byrds ' best album releases . 
