Reviews (page 2 of 8)
See pole album, mida kuulata pärast nutmist - oli mu esimene mõte albumit käivitades. Pärast seda küll too tunne veidi leebus. See album oli kohati väga "jolly" ja kohati roki laadne. Need rokilikud osad mulle meeldisid. Oli ka üks laul, mis oli huvitav selle poolest, et see oli natuke nagu räpp ja ma ei osanud seda selle aja valgelt bändilt oodata.
Great Value Beatles
Mid beatles
Rat-a-tat my dad knocked on 15-yr-old me’s room. I was dating a 14-yr old New Kids on the Block superfan, and we had The Monkees were playing on my stereo. My dad, full of wisdom, said “you know, The Monkees were the New Kids on the Block of their time.” This is correct. While I’ve made some hay on here talking about the greatness of albums that are reassessed as masterpieces over time after flopping, the world reassessing the Monkees as some kinds of unsung geniuses over the last decade had been an all-time BAD TAKE by the world. Somehow The Monkees make the idea of valuing music seem trite and shallow and silly. Maybe it’s good for taking down my own pretention a notch or two. Never a bad thing. But this music sucks.
There’s a fine line between this and the Beatles, but nevertheless that line exists. The interesting moments (where tf did Zilch come from?) were quickly cancelled out by the bland and forgettable.
I had a big crush on Ami Dolenz in the late 80s with the 1-2 punch of Can’t Buy me Love and She’s Out of Control. That’s the first thought I had when this album popped up. I perked up with Zilch and the source for Del’s Mistadobolina. Would be cool if I wish my brother George was here was on this list.
These guys are, like, definitionally just the bootleg blended-up version of a bunch of more accomplished 60s pop artists, of course. But Randy Scouse Git is a lot of fun
Q: Hva er kjedeligere enn Gubberock? A: Parodi på Gubberock.
My hopes were slightly higher since I find myself enjoying the novelty of these 60s pop rock bands, but it was just ok.
The story of the Monkeys, and especially this album, is fascinating. Their transformation from being a TV constructed mock Beatles joke band into a dominant and creative band with a lasting impact on the history and evolution of rock/pop music. My first time sitting down listening to this album in full. Very solid, indeed.
I used to watch The Monkees as a kid, it was good, I liked it... I'm not a kid anymore! The most notable thing about the album though is Zilch which contains the sample that's used for Mistadobalina by Del the Funky Homosapien. The rest is very basic Beatles-esque pop
Great listen into the evolution of boy bands. It's the bridge between barbershop and modern. Fun listen
While the Monkees are obviously a novelty band, I'd argue their historical significance merits them a spot on this list. But while this is a fun listen (and thankfully quite concise), I'd argue the author should've included 'More of the Monkees' (which included "I'm A Believer") as opposed to this one. On the other hand, this album introduced me to "Zilch" which will now be stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Only half complaining.
Лёгкий, приятный и очень характерный для своего времени поп-роковый альбом. Его простота работает ему на пользу. Я бы выделил здесь ряд очень неплохих и мелодичных треков к которым хотелось бы вернуться. Не сказал бы что он дает что то новое, но отлично играет с тем что было актуально.
"Mum can we get The Beatles?" "We have The Beatles at home" I did like Randy Scouse Git and to a lesser extent, You Told Me.
2.5
the monkees rule
Shows the Monkees were a half decent 60s band who could play and write songs but highly derivative. This is 1967 though and as one reviewer points out, Sgt Pepper came out a week later.
Hey, hey it's the Monkees! They were maybe more of a singles band, and this is a tad patchy, but I'm glad to see Headquarters on the list, if only for Randy Scouse Git and the gorgeous You Just May Be the One, both of which they wrote themselves. (Also, I never knew Mistadobalina by Del tha Funky Homosapien was inspired by the Monkees - every day's a school day.)
some of it was great but GODDAMN these lyrics have aged like milk
Really not my thing ... inoffensive but rather boring!
Does it sound like The Beatles but in a slightly different dimension? Yes. Do I love every form of The Beatles in every dimension? Also yes. Therefore, I love this Monkees album.
I guess I still don't fully understand what this group was, but overall this was a perfectly decent listen. It's a good example of 60s pop, and the only thing that makes this a lot worse is being aware of what it isn't -- you don't have to be a brain surgeon to pick up on the fact that The Beatles were light years ahead, and that Sgt Pepper blows this out of the water 10 times out of 10. But I think that's a bad metric with which to judge this. It's a perfectly serviceable 60s pop album. I enjoyed it, mostly. Done.
i still don't really like the Monkees very much they don't even write their own music
This sounds so much like The Beatles, that I don't know why would anyone would choose to listen to this over them. The only thing I knew about The Monkees before this was I'm a Believer and the Simpsons gag where someone says: "You know they don't write their own songs". So, it was interesting hearing them do some experimental "music". None of it was good, but it was interesting. All of the real music is just c-tier Beatles tracks at best. Low 3.
Some really good tracks - You Just May Be The One, Shades of Grey, For Pete’s Sake and Randy Scouse Git, surrounded by a lot of filler.
bit bland, liked one track.
parts of this i liked, parts of this i did not. some songs good, some not so much. i think this would be a better/more memorable album if there were less longer songs than so many short songs (but idk what the norms were in 1967). update: i've listened to so many more albums now, specifically so many *better* albums that i've gotta bump this down to a 2.
Some tracks were a bit derivative of The Beatles, but it was a fun listen during breakfast
They sound like the 60s. There wasn't much that was unique. I didn't mind having them on, but probably wouldn't seek them out.
2026.08.09.
Monkeeeee!
Beatles if they were primates
Who, is this for? I mean that. Genuinely, unless you're an american teenager, living in the late 60s', what purpose does this album hold in 2026? It was a pointless 16 minutes wasted of my life, and yes it's only 31 minutes in total, but there's not a chance this gets the full airing. Shouldn't be on the list. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ in part Revisit ❌️ ★☆☆☆☆(2/10) Total reviewed : 403 Already owned : 90 Purchased : 21 To buy : 3 Nope : 289
Headquarters is really… inoffensive, in the most umcomplimentary sense of the word. It feels out of time for a 1967 release. These songs are all pastiches of other songs. Other reviewers already did all the Beatlels-comparisons, so i won’t bother to. There are some nice songs on here! Some i even enjoyed to a degree, namely You Just May Be The One, For Pete’s Sake and Randy Scouse Git. Doesn’t mean they are great songs, but they are some i would actively decide to listen to. Maybe. When I’m in a specific mood and don’t have many other options. And I’m not against pop-groups being formed for/from a TV-show. Hey, i enjoy Girls Aloud and Little Mix quite a lot. But the Monkees just do not work for me - maybe because i have no clue about the TV-show and their identity around the show, but it is what it is. And what it is is not really exciting in any way.
Det va gøy, men ikke minneverdig, synes æ.
I can see why this group became popular. I have always thought it’s hilarious that many people in the South (even my parents) hate the Beatles but enjoy the Monkees. There’s a good sociological study in that concept, I’m sure.
Had mentally lumped them in the same category as Beach Boys and Beatles. Turns out they're not quite as objectionable. But still. Not my cup of cold brew tea liqueur.
They have way better stuff in other albums and don't understand why this one was included.
60’s pop shit. Awful
What makes this so enjoyable to listen to is how much fun you can tell they're having... that tambourine can fuck off though. Of the time, of course, but some very questionable lyrics. Maybe ask if she's old enough before declaring that she'll be yours.
Beatles-lite Playlist add: "You Told Me"
Hard to rate this 60s stuff in the proper context. I didn't hate it and it was fun at times. But I don't feel motivated to bother with it again either.
Not the worst thing on this list, but not very good either.
Fine examples of pop songwriting. It takes all of the basics from old Beatles tunes and reduces them down to their lowest common denominator components. Despite being given more creative freedom, I feel they still stayed too close to the conservative, family-friendly sound they had already cultivated - something parents in the 60s would have been totally fine with their children listening to. The result is that the album sounds extremely dated and quite boring. I did enjoy "Randy Scouse Git," and it was fun to hear where Del Tha Funkee Homosapien got that sample. But when I can just listen to the raw, unsanitized sounds this band emulates, why would I come back for more of this? 2/5
I was a pre-teen girl once. If I had been born at the right time and place, I would have been obsessed with The Monkees. Are they the best band? No. Are their songs the most original? No. Did their existence lift out at least a handful of young girls of their mundane 60s drudgery for a little while? Probably. I should read some books about The Monkees.
A TV version of The Beatles. Headquarters has some nice tunes, catchy melodies, and plenty of charm, but it never reaches the level of creativity or impact of the bands that defined the era. An enjoyable pop record with personality, though ultimately nothing particularly remarkable.
Beatles Lite
MR
do you think they liked the beatles?
Their first album mainly written and played by the members of The Monkees makes me thunk they didn't actually write or play the music on this album. But after listening to it, they actually may have (sounds weak) and I'll give them a participation trophy of 3 stars.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
If I wanted to listen to a band of characters from a TV show, I’d rather listen to the cardboard copy of “Sugar, Sugar” by the Archie’s that came on a cereal box when I was a kid.
As a rule, I don't like music from the '60s. And this upheld that rule.
It was an ok album, listenable but nothing really to write home about, very of its time and definitely sounds like a 60s album especially considering the year before had pet sounds and in 67, Sgt peppers was released
im auto glost. zum teil seeeehr coole 60er sound ohni mega spannend oder ah eckend z sii aber has gnosse und drum gits es vieriiii
fantastischs albumcover also lyrisch ischs öppis vom most 60er-jahr ever iwie forget that girl spielt s schlagzüg na en coole jazzy groove HAHAHAH band 6 isch funny so als ihschub you justmay be the one erinneret mich sehr ad beatles shades of gray isch jz de erst song wo mich chli packt bim text bini nochli unsicher wasi söll devoo halte hahaha aber rein musikalisch findis en en cute song no time GAHT AB wiso han ich "random scout girl" statt "randy scouse git" glese de schluss isch na geil hahaha mier hend ja weiss gott villi albe us de 60er, doch das album schreit glaub fast am krassiste SÄCHZGER und ich mein das nöd umbedingt als kompliment, au wenn ich ja villes gern han us dere ziit. villes het mich iwie chalt lah und het mich eifach ane anderi bamd us de 60er erinneret?
don't like
Beatles but Schlager (except for the last song)
I respect it but it's not for me.
6 - AVERAGE
Beatles auf temu bestellt. Bisschen sehr predator
I really wanted to root for The Monkees. It’s a great underdog story, a fake TV band fighting for control just so they could play their own instruments, but honestly, Headquarters didn't do it for me. Instead of feeling like a big artistic statement, it just came off as safe, generic, and kind of boring. It mostly sounds like a watered-down, unoriginal take on The Beatles. Considering this came out in 1967, right when rock was getting super experimental and weird, they just sounded way behind the times. I give them props for trying to be a "real" band, but they didn't have the charm or the talent of the groups they were clearly copying. It’s formulaic, dated pop that honestly just made me want to go listen to the real thing instead.
Great album from a band that is sometimes forgotten.
good on them for getting creative control over their own band, but I think there's a reason why none of the songs that typically come to mind when you think about The Monkees are on this album. 3/5.
Jangly, gentle old school pop rock
It's an okay album, it just struggles to stay interesting throughout. Many of the songs are too similar and are kind of lackluster. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
I thought they had an interesting Beatles-esq sound but none of the songs really connected.
A interesting novelty group but these songs are pretty week.
A not spicy version of the kinks type of music
Také neurážajúce 60-ky. Pop vtedajšej doby.
Very 60s. Liked No time
Fun album, and some great songs alongside it. The Monkees as their most creative selves, feels very good.
On some level, I get the inclusion here. The Monkees were one of the most successful pop-rock bands of the 1960s, so including them in the 1001 Albums book makes sense on paper. Plus, if there were an album to include from them for historical significance, it would be the one in which the band fought for creative control. Before this record, the actual songwriting and instrument playing were largely handled by session musicians under the strict supervision of Don Kirshner. This reached a breaking point when Kirshner released a completely different single than the one the band requested, ultimately leading to his dismissal. It's an inspiring story for the band, and it certainly helps that the resulting album, Headquarters, is pretty solid. This album is a decent slice of early 1960s pop-rock, with the Monkees flexing their creative chops a bit. There are genuinely good bops written by the band members on here, including the likes of "You Told Me", "You May Just Be the One", "For Pete's Sake (Closing Theme)", and "Sunny Girlfriend", where I dug the bouncing rhythm section of Mickey Dolenz and Chip Douglas paired with the bright guitar rollicks of Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork. It seemed that everyone had the chance to play a variety of instruments and share in both lead and harmonized backing vocals, with notable examples including the tympani and woodblock during the verses of "Randy Scouse Git" and the tack pianos that provide a vaudeville-esque jaunt to "I Can't Get Her Off of My Mind". Of course, this record still features songs from outside songwriters, but I do feel they genuinely fit well, especially with the sentimental "Shades of Gray" that incorporates the warm pedal steel and French horn. That said, notice how I considered this "early 1960s"? Yeah, I do have to remind myself that this album came out in 1967, because it sounds like it came from 1964. For as much as the Monkees were free to be as creative as they could be, they instinctively made a record that's a few years behind other bands at the time, especially The Beatles. Headquarters does have the feel of pre-Rubber Soul Beatles, within a week before Sgt. Pepper's was released. Certainly doesn't help matters when the Beatles get referenced in the likes of "Randy Scouse Git" and "No Time". Don't get me wrong; I didn't hate this record, as the only songs I didn't care for were the short experimental tracks "Band 6" and "Zilch". But the record as a whole does admittedly feel derivative by the time it came out, in comparison to what other bands were doing at the time. Maybe it's because the Monkees themselves were originally conceived as if the Beatles starred in their own TV show, and the band hadn't quite set themselves apart from the original concept? It makes me wonder if they took more time to workshop themselves, as I do see they eventually went in a psychedelic rock direction with the next album. For now, I do recognize the historical significance of Headquarters in the Monkees' catalog, and I did have a good time with it. I wouldn't consider it mindblowing, but there are enough tracks to cherry-pick from here.
I mean it’s a Beatles clone but at least it’s interesting.
Overall: 7/10 This is a pretty good imitation of The Beatles, but these guys never had the talent that the Fav Four do. The one thing I'll give The Monkees is that they're weird as hell, and I love that about that. There's just somethinf fun about these guys that is a different kind of fun compared to other groups at the time. Fav Song: Randy Scouse Git
genérico pra caralho
bem parecido com os beatles, mas diferente o suficiente pra ter seu próprio público mas eh, achei bem qualquer coisa. dobro e passo pro próximo
Muy muy nice, en encantan! Sólo que este link me llevó a un disco en Spotify que cerraba con unas rarezas bastante difíciles de digerir. Pero el resto fue excelente.
2,3/5
Sooooo much meh.
I wouldn't call it innovative, but they're fun to listen to, and they got to make their own music on this album.
Pop rock.
2 out of 5. They jingle-jangle nice enough.
An undisguised Beatles rip-off
It’s alright, very upbeat pop rock with lots of tambourine. Nothing really sticks out in the way their bigger hits do for me, but wasn’t a bad listen.
Before Hannah Montana, before otown, before the heights before the partridge family- there were the monkees. A made for tv corporate band. There initial album smelled like a Beatles knock off. Later albums had grittier substance. This was....meh. Nothing outstanding or note worth other than it was their second album.
1:5
6.5/10
Headquarters marked the moment The Monkees would do more than just sing 'their' own songs, by also doing the writing and more instrumentation. Their early reputation that they didn't write or (mostly) perform their own songs casts sort of a shadow on their short but impactful career of being the most Los Angeles version of the Beatles in America. I mean, that was the style at the time. The one common denominator about the good songs on Headquarters is Michael Neismith, who I think benefits the most from the creative liberty they were granted. His sort of Byrds sounding songs I think are the best on this short album. But I think the lows on this album are pretty bad. Side A is simply does not cut it but Side B isn't too shabby. It's certainly very 60s sounding and when it gets bubblegum poppy it suffers greatly Nesmith songs hit more than the others and I guess saves the album from being cast-off like all the other Monkees albums that couldn't touch the list. There's simply plenty of other 60s bands that can do this sound and much better, I mean the aforementioned Byrds were also from LA and that's what the best Monkees songs mostly sounded like. Monkees were at least a big enough band and maybe a bigger pop culture zeitgeist to get a spot on this list. Headquarters is really just okay. I didn't hate it as much as I thought I was going to, but even when I was surprised or impressed it wasn't really a 'wow' factor.
fine... nothing particularly special but fine
This sounded so weirdly empty to me and I don't know why. Like it just sounded like they removed tracks. I was not moved.
Heavily front-loaded album. Really tries hard to be The Beatles from two years before. Unfortunately for them, Sgt Peppers released the next week and made this seem so out of time. 2.0/5.0: Disappointing
i grew up listening to the monkees so i knew alot of the songs already. these are well written and well performed, if somewhat formulaic, pop rock songs. is it a 5? probably not. will nostalgia take over and give it a 5 anyway? absolutely
Meh
Nah... Kinda boring
First Listen; 3; I actually really enjoyed this album. Nothing earth-shattering or groundbreaking, but at the same time filled with catchy songs with good harmonies. Yes, it sounds a lot like the Beatles and the Byrds in some parts, but that doesn't make it a bad thing. Favorite Track: Sunny Girlfriend
Хі-хі)
Fine. But still just felt like a fake version of other bands.
This was a pleasant listen made more likeable because the "band" members are likeable. Micky Dolenz was a great and underrated lead singer. Nothing here is particularly memorable but I'd listen again.
ummm kinda not that great
Omg! I’ve had this crate find already! The only decent thing is that Zilch provided Del the Funky Homosapien with the hook for Mistadobalina. Discovering that was worth the listen. Otherwise this trash needs to stay in the crate. God, I will admit it’s well played trash. But… man. 2 is generous. I feel generous today. Boolean: FALSE- leave it for Del the Funky Homosapein
I'm kind of shocked how much this sounds like early Beatles. It's very good, but it's surprising that it was as popular as it apparently was at the time of release, considering the Beatles had moved on to much more complex songwriting and recording methods and techniques by this time (Sgt. Pepper's replaced this album in the #1 sales spot). I liked it and would listen again.
Super cute and nice music. Totally not my style
Just another Monkees’ album.
Always happy to get 60's pop/rock in the generator. Aside from some cheesy clichés and goofy experimentations, this is a good, albeit not essential, listen (though I'm sure it was included due to its interesting history).
I’m glad the band got to take control of the music. But this isn’t essential.
music is love
I guess monkeys age faster than beetles. As corny as they are, these guys are damn good!
I'm not a fan f the Beatles, and I sure as shit am not a fan of this
I thought I took notes. This album was fun and raw. Good songs.
No lo esperaba, pero me gustó. Lindo disco
Ikke uten ok låter, Randy Scouse Git, men holdt ikke helt
Fine, but not outstanding
Surprisingly ok!
Give them credit for what they were: a fake band that had a formulaic sound for the time. When they were good, they were a lot of fun. This album was just.....meh. It wasn't bad, but nothing really stood out. They get an extra star because their show was hilarious to 4 yr-old me.
here is a band who was America's answer to The Beatles. To be honest I don't hear much of a difference between the two bands. but this was better than the Beatles album I listened to a couple of weeks ago. It has more of a 60s rock element to it, the songs are quick and doesn't overstay its welcome.
Cover band goes and tries their own sound. Lo an behold it's the exact same sound.
Always thought these were a novelty act, trying to emulate those Liverpudlians. They’ve a few bangers but not for me. Prefered their tv programme. 1
Best Track - "Randy Scouse Git"
This is perfectly fine for what it is, but it's just not for me. I've never been a huge fan of early The Beatles, and this feels like a step down from that. There's nothing offensively bad about the album. The songs are pleasant enough, and I understand why people have nostalgia for it. It just never gives me a reason to care beyond appreciating it as a product of its time. By the time it was over, I couldn't think of a single track I'd want to hear again. If I never listened to Headquarters again, I don't think I'd ever think twice about it.
It’s a collection of rockers, twee jaunty tunes, and heartfelt songs. Some good ones here and there and some that just felt like a fluff.
Yeah. Beginning to hate the 60’s. I think I want to give this a 1 based on album cover alone… And for ripping off the worst era of the Beatles. As if having to listen to the early 60’s Beatles albums wasn’t torture enough. And right when I think their harmonies might get me, I look at that album cover. 1 Boolean: absolutely false
Fine, but it got tiresome real quick. After the first few, which I really liked, I found the style and tone mostly repetitive, but it made me realize I want more oldies!
It was ok. There was some good songs and some not so good ones
Ok
fun enough pop rock, vocal harmonies are good, manages to present a bunch of different textures over the course of a fairly brisk album.
Why are some of these songs so creepy? Why is this album so long? These dreadful questions weigh down the scant enjoyment I got from the songs I did like.
Enjoyed some songs but this album just keeps going
Utter cheeze.
There's something joyful about the Monkees. I think I'd prefer the hits of course, because those are a glorious slice of bubblegum pop. Enjoyable album yes, 1001-worthy no.
One of my favorite albums, but this time I noticed how much tambourine is on this sucker--holy cow! I guess Davy needed something to do. Still voting a 5 because the group put their money where their mouth was and churned out a great album. I think Pisces is a better album overall (not on list, wtf?). It's wild this came out the week before Sgt Pepper because it kind of is in conversation with it. It seems like the same fervor the two bands experienced with their popularity drove them to take risks.
This is great, everyone. It's the Monkees, sure, but this is what they sounded like when they were able to write their own songs! Stop comparing every 60s act to the Beatles (even if it's the Monkees)!!
I haven’t given the Monkees too much thought; I know the controversy around if they’re a real band, etc. overall the album was solid. I was impressed by some of the percussion parts in particular.
Look, it’s great within the Monkees story that they managed to wrest control of the group and write their own music. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make a great album, particularly from the viewpoint of 60 years later. A lot of it sounds like a watered down the Beatles (worse, the Beatles sound from 2-3 years prior, which was lightyears from what they had moved on to). It’s not a bad album but it is inconsequential
They don't monkey around...
The Monkees were probably the world's first manufactured boy-band Like The Beatles or The Beach Boys if they were created in a lab, but without any of the artistic ambitions, only commercial ones. And maybe not even those, or maybe just whoever put them together had those ambitions. The band members themselves seem to just be happy to be there, like puppets. We may as well be listening to The Muppets instead, but even less artistic. They have some good songs, but they're not on this album.
Very '60s, but I liked it more than I thought I would!
Beatles but good? Favorite Track: Randy Scouse Git
I was surprised that this, their third album, was released so soon into 1967 and that it spent over ten weeks as U.S no.2 behind Sgt Pepper for the whole summer. It represented the time when the band wanted to prove that they themselves could play AND write after the blatantly manufactured nature of their early work, courtesy of manager Svengali Don Kirshner. I hear lots of Bee Gees influence, a bit of 1966 Dylan and a few slightly psychedelic elements, but it is on the whole a pleasant set of so so songs at a time when the best music was definitely NOT so so.........
There’s a chance I will end up sounding patronising to The Monkees, but it is not my intention. There is a lot to commend them for with Headquarters. They took on board the criticisms that they were puppets and fought a hard battle to earn the right to play on their own album. Having won the battle, they put together an album (including some of their own material) that updated their sound, acknowledging the ever-advancing landscape that was pop music at the time. When it was released their efforts were rewarded as the album topped the US chart. Vindication! Then The Beatles, the yardstick by which every move The Monkees ever made was measured, dropped Sgt Pepper the following week. Luckily it wasn’t the end of the story for Headquarters as it stayed at number 2 right behind arguably the most significant album ever released for 11 weeks. However the reduction of The Monkees’ achievement was much more about the content of the two albums more than their relative commercial success. As much as the Monkees has pushed themselves forward as a musical force, the difference from their previous efforts was small fry to what The Beatles had just presented. The Monkees had lifted themselves up the leaderboard, but Sgt Pepper wasn’t just in another league, it might as well have been on another planet creatively. There were important developments in the songs on Headquarters, but it was notable that they felt the need to throw in a couple of “let’s get weird” non-song moments, one in the middle of each side. The reality of course is that The Monkees were never the rivals the US industry hoped it had to react to the British Invasion (the US industry reacted very slowly in response tbh, rivalry was much more about individual artists Dylan, Beach Boys and to a lesser degree The Byrds and Simon & Garfunkel) Headquarters is a good listen. It might be better than its two predecessors. It might not be. I like The Monkees and I never think about any of the stuff in this review when I am listening to them, but sadly for them, while they existed in the spotlight, they were simultaneously in the shadow of what remains the most important pop group of all time.
Wasn't so bad
A few little ditties an enjoyed and liked hearing the bands banter with each other on some of the interludes. Peter’s Gunn Gun was my favourite. Shout out to Zilch for being original and like nothing I’ve heard before
This was an incredibly inoffensive collection of mediocre pop songs, but the fact that it was released in 1967, when so many other groups and artists were advancing in leaps and bounds, made its inoffensiveness feel almost offensive.
This is a fun album with some really good pop songs. Though they emulated the Beatles, they were a manufactured band for a TV show. And, by those standards, this album was them forging their own identity and coming into their own. Nothing groundbreaking, just good songwriting, playing, and singing....and some inspired goofiness like "Zilch" a bizarro spoken word song.
Good ol 60s boy band music. Its a little too 'listen to the flower people' from Spinal Tap for me, very dated and cheesy stuff, but perfectly pleasant to listen to really, nice jangly sound to it all.
easy listening
I do like this, some great songs on this one - remember the monkees from my child hood - hey, hey
Well that was pretty okay
I do love me some of The Monkees, they’re a fun listen without being anything groundbreaking. If I’m nitpicking I probably would’ve had their self titled debut or More Of the Monkees on the list instead but hey I’m not the one writing a book anytime soon. Top Track - Randy Scouse Git, this might possibly be my favourite Monkees song.
Listened to this a while back but apparently forgot to put a review down. From what I remember it was poppy and fun 60s rock, but not much more than that.
I'd give this 3.5 stars, but I have a hard time rounding up to 4 stars here, because it feels more trivial and less substantial than even other Beatle-esque rock at the time. They were writing and performing more of their own music, and it has some very good tracks, but I don't know if it truly holds up to rigor given that they were still mostly just a pop act trying to replicate other things out there rather than completely being their own.
whimsy city. it's cute but also feels busy in a clumsy way at times prefer the 2nd half
What if the Beatles were shit? 1/5
not my thing
Very good stuff.
The boys fought for it and are finally playing their own instruments on this recording! Not perfect by any means. A lot of experimentation with different sounds. Some work, some don't. This is another one I know well but have not listened to in many years. The Nesmith tracks are the standouts. You Told Me is a great album opener that has heavy nods to The Beatles. You Just May Be The One is closer to what I associate with his style and it's another strong album anchor. No Time rocks even if it is just a simple variation on an 8-bar blues riff. And the poppy psych of Early Morning Blues and Greens is something I like a lot more than I used to.
This album raises the question: "does the context of the albums creation matter?" Without the background, it is just an ok album
Not half bad this. Apparently the hill I am willing to die on is that Randy Scouse Git is as psychedelic and brilliant as anything Syd Barrett ever wrote.
Sounded a lot like the Beatles and was enjoyable to listen to. 4/5
Great little album!
Just don’t get the monkees hype
the beatles before they did hard drugs
This is the kind of thing I need to be in the mood for, but there's a lot of interesting stuff on this album. I got caught off-guard by hearing the source of the Mr. Bob Dobolina sample so that was fun. Randy Scouse Git was definitely my favorite track... very relatable. I probably won't come back to this but it was an enjoyable listen.
Having only previously heard the album "Head" I would say I kinda expected this to be corny but it was really nice! Really liked "I Can't Get Her Off My Mind".
Ha Ha, it's hard to believe that they got away with sounding more like the Beatles, than the Beatles!! lol. I used to love their TV show, and they get nostalgia points for that. Some of the worst album covers ever to grace vinyl! 14 songs in 31 minutes, shorter than punk!
Monkees? Beatles? Byrds? Is spelling the name of an animal incorrectly how you make it big in rock in the 60s? The album was ok, but not really for Mee.
Davey Jones plays the heck out of that tamb, single-handed.
More fun than the Beatles, maybe not quite as adept at writing songs.
4/10
si tuviera la mitad de canciones sería algo bastante interesante
Charming, but I prefer their early artificial material
They don’t even write their own songs and they’re still bad
Temu Beatles. 36 songs GTFO! Most don’t hold up 60 years later.
Not bad for manufactured pop. Surprisingly freaky
Great album, good to have on in the background while mowing. It sounded similar to the Beatles.
Good music to have in the background
Better than I expected
Sounded like a Beatles rip off and not as good
For et fake band der blev sat sammen til en sitcom er det vel meget godt. Beatles for små børn, og Beatles er allerede for alle. Lille 2'er i stedet for en stor 1'er fordi jeg faktisk rigtig godt kunne lide det sidste nummer
Baggrunds-sektionen på Wikipedia var jo nok mere spændende end pladen. Det var fint nok, ikke noget særligt, ikke dårligt heller
Pølsemandens Beatles
This is like a Happy Meal. A corporate idea of what the kids want. Artificially sweet with a random trinket thrown in that ultimately leaves you undernourished.
Growing up with The Monkees absolutely changes the experience. The songs are tied to personalities, humor, and memories. It is pure fun and I think it was made with heart. I love every song.
plain jane US version of the beatles
the shitty ass spotify version of this trying to trick me into torturing myself by listening to some of these songs twice in other news guy from 60s band sings about a shocking revelation he had: don't abuse your wife and she won't leave you fave track: 99 pounds
Feels like this record is trying a bit hard to join the party, wearing it's influences and aspirations a bit openly
Just an all around boring album that doesn't feel particularly ambitious or interesting.
Cornballs. Don't remember much, but I enjoyed it
Fun album. Pretty vanilla and safe, but fun. Randy Scouse Git is a standout.
Nostalgic
Decent. Shows some signs of what was to come from The Monkees and their next album, which is a pure classic imo. 6/10
# Album Name: Headquarters # Artist: The Monkees # Rating: 3/5 # Comments: Pretty average album. Nothing special. Just an OK listen # Top Tunes: # Would I listen to it again? Maybe once more
OK but made me want to listen to the Beatles more than listen to this again
This was very basic run of the mill 60's pop, but I happen to like that.
36 songs and 1.5 hrs of pure jangly mildly-trippy joy
Worthy proof that they could do it themselves. After getting out from under the control of the notorious asshole, Don Kirshner, the Monkees responded with some quality tunes. Also nice to hear some late-60s music from California that isn't CSNY, Joni Mitchell, or any others from that Laurel Canyon sect.
I had high hopes for this one as I quite like a lot of Monkee's songs, but this just didn't do anything for me.
Sounds like the Monkees lol, enjoyable. Favorite track: You Told me
crazy that diet rubber soul can go #1 the same year sgt pepper came out
Such a fun, youthful and innocent album.
3/5
"You Told Me" started off interesting, different than what I expected, featuring banjo, and I thought I might be surprised by this and enjoy it, but there weren't too many positive highlights after that. Some of the worst pedal steel guitar playing ever recorded. (Allegedly it's pedal steel, it sounds more like bad slide electric guitar to me.) If you're in the mood for this, then the Beatles from 1964 would be much better. It has moments, for sure. "Randy Scouse Git" is a really interesting song, weird in good ways, but that's the only one that sticks for me. 2.5/5.
It's 60s "Rock and Roll" alright, but I don't think it will stick in my memory for long.
6/10 Best songs: Randy Scouse Git Nothing wrong with this album. Though people like saying it's a Beatles ripoff, I'd argue it shares more in common with the Beach Boys. There are no real standouts (except for Randy Scouse Git); every song sounds perfectly fine. Personally I don't mind the manufactured band aspect - it's just an early version of Backstreet Boys or any K-pop band. We live in a capitalist hellscape, so we just gotta deal with music made for profits.
My first concert was the Monkees, so believe me when I say I went into this expecting to like it. Maybe even a little invested in liking it. And I still hated it. TEMU 60s pop. Like one of those off brand compilations of “music in the style of” and insert every popular 60s artist. And then they have the balls to write a “takedown”’of the Beatles. So edgy!!! Did you come up with that between takes of your sitcom? You'll never guess, but this was the album on which they demanded creative control. Guys, you really should have stuck with the Neil Diamond tunes
Pretty forgettable. Although “Zilch” was a pleasant surprise.
Pues nada... not a fan i guess...no tuve el oido para este disco :3
be free my monkees
This album has The Monkees doing original tunes playing the instruments themselves. The first song I hear, You Told Me, sounds a lot like the first song on The Beatles' Revolver album, Taxman. Nice try boys! (Having said that, it was the 2nd best song on the album IMO.) Like Songs Added: You Told Me For Pete's Sake
I didn't live through the 60s, so I don't know how the whole Monkees sound like they're ripping off the Beatles thing went then, like how in the 90s no one really cared who did it first: N'Sync or Backstreet Boys. They were both THE boy bands of the era and had their own followings. But looking back on the Beatles vs Monkees, it seems like Monkees are just a complete ripoff. I have no respect for them as a band for this style. By this time, the Beatles at moved on and were iterating with psychedelic stuff. Some of the songs are catchy, but there's nothing creative here. It sounds like a Beatles cover band. Also could be worse.
I've never sat down to listen to a Monkees album start-to-finish. It's not bad, but certainly derivative of early Beatles. And considering that the Beatles had moved on to different things by the time this came out, it really just reinforces the feeling that this is just a cash-grab by the industry to manufacture content rather than actual artistic expression by an organic music group.
Monkee
Davy and Mikey - hella spunkrats
Can't stand the monkees
Incredibly Beatles sounding, specifically you just may be the one Randy scouse git sounds like big iron 4/5 very impressive Favorites: forget that girl, shades of gray
This album is perfect for discovering the band after hearing I'm A Believer for the first time.
Felt a bit dull and nothing-y. After a bit of research, it's clear why. Quite corporate and formulaic. Maybe if I'd grown up in this era, I'd feel more strongly towards it.
Zilch is the beste song
beatle-ish but in love instead of doing drugs
464/1089 - It's fine. Sounds very predictable.
Listened to before? Yes Context? The first album where The Monkees had any significant creative control; a huge commercial success as well. This is my second attempt at the 1001 Albums project. I got this album my first attempt. I'm pretty tired, as I spent seven hours of this blessed Sunday at a Panera writing a paper for chemistry, with only some cold matzo ball soup, thirty ounces of lukewarm coffee, and an M&M cookie to sustain me. So, of course, I was excited to get an album I'd already reviewed! I could copy and paste the review from my last project! But, of course, I was a stupid idiot three months ago. Looking at my old project, the only comments I'd left on this album was a three star rating and the sentence "pretty good but what the frick is this album cover". So now I sit here, waiting for my two (2) vegan chicken nuggies to finish cooking, using my last braincell to write a review of a band that's considered rock n roll's first great embarrassment. But hey, at least I don't have to cite any sources. I stand by both of my original statements, but I would like to elaborate. First, to say that I'm sympathetic towards The Monkees. They may have been created as a K-Pop-level corporate abomination, but they also had genuine artistic interest that they fought their label to pursue. I mean, there's a reason that Minor Threat covered "Stepping Stone". Just saying. This was the first album where they really saw that fight for artistic control pay off. They got to play their own instruments (wow!) and choose their producer. And the result is...decent. It's still very much a "but we have The Beatles at home!" scenario, but at least there's passion. And none of the songs are bad. Commonplace? Yes. Derivative? 100%. But definitely not bad. Just some good 60s pop songs. But seriously, what the frick is the album cover.
I've never understood the broad appeal though I have to admit they have a few catchy pop songs that rival the Beatles they were aping. This was a lot of a thing I don't love in one helping.
Early rock. Appreciate it for what it was. Would probably never listen to again
These 60's British bands all really sound the same. 6/10
The original Made For TV boy band picks up their own instruments and proves to the world that they *can* write their own mediocre 60s pop. Does anyone born after 1990 even know who these fellas are? 'The Monkees' is a sitcom that was little more than absurd skit comedy loosely based on the idea that these four weirdos were a band. No disrespect, I liked 'The Monkees' ... when I was 12 and was watching reruns on Nick At Nite. A few of these guys are decent musicians but that was not what they were hired to do. The imposter syndrome they lived with must have been just unbearable but bros ... y'all are a manufactured teeny-bopper Beatles rip-off "band". You were created to sell magazines and lunch boxes. Just cash your checks and be happy you're selling records in the first place. "Zilch" was interesting. "Shades of Grey", "Randy Scouse Git", and "No Time" are ok, but they don't make this album worth the disk space on my iPod. Sorry, lads. +1 for genuinely trying.
not too bad, I guess Britney is on this list so why not the Monkees?
I liked this much more than I thought I would. It starts out pure generic, but it develops into something more interesting after a few tracks. It's quite fun when it gets going. I feel slightly mean for giving it only 3 stars, but it's really not amazing.
It's fine. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. What I expected from the Monkees; 1960's pop rock. (3)
Very Beatles like sound from this group. I've definitely heard some of their other songs and I do enjoy the style. Nothing too riveting but a good listen
Seems that vapid nonsense that melds into the background has always been popular.
Aight
My biggest criticism of this book is that despite how many recommendations in over 60 years of recorded music history, very little is international, instead opting for a lot of boring, unremarkable, formulaic period pieces from an euro-american POV, and this nothinburger of an album is the best example that comes to mind in how I will forget it exists by the time I finish this listening in how exhaustingly played out it is
I was a little surprised to see this one pop up today but as I thought about it for a second, I suppose this does deserve a place on the list. Were the Monkees the first commercially manufactured band? I think so.... But I don't really know much of their music, I mean a song or two here and there I guess. Apparently this is the first album where they all played instruments and contributed to writing the songs? I am expecting generic bubblegum 60s pop. And yes, pretty much exactly what I expected. Nothing remarkable or even memorable. But good for them for actually wanting to make the music themselves I suppose. 2.5/5 and rounding up because I feel nice today.
I mean, it is good. I like it enough. But I am not sure it should be on the list.
Better than I expected. Not a big fan, but a few catchy songs
Not terrible, but not that good. Standout songs: Shades of Grey Randy Scouse git
Love The Monkees, this would have been a great album but needed to lose 6 or 7 tracks
as expected
I’m no longer a believer.
Perfectly fine, but in a "probably wouldn't recognise the alnum if yoi played it at me tomorrow" way.
A pleasant album which seems to be very similar to that of The Beatles’ early albums. Not necessarily a bad thing, but nothing to rave about. Likes: You Told Me; I’ll Spend My Life With You; You Just May Be The One; No Time
This album was really fun and an unexpectedly enjoyable listen. It definitely sound very dated but I enjoy the sound of that. They are just a group of silly little guys coming together to make some music and sing some harmonies. Did this album change my life? No. But I don't think I've been this attentive while listening to the albums this much until this one.
Blev ikke ikke helt klik på det virkede lidt fjollet.
Svingende mellem ekstrem pænt/kedeligt og vildt underligt. Der er lidt spændende kant på det sidste track, og det var sjovt at finde ud af hvor Del the Funky Homosapian har samplet sit hit fra.
It's boring but I like the band's name
yesss, monke beatles dupe
Kind of Beatles vibe
Pretty long, but entertaining
Who cares if they didn't write their own songs and wear their own hats?
Considering the band was created as a Beatles parody for a slapstick sitcom, this isn’t too bad. Some catchy songs, obviously ripping off the McCartney penned songs from the Rubber Soul era. But I’ve heard worse.
Did not expect much, but this was pretty great
Pushed out of the number one spot by Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is quite a claim to fame. The intro song (You Told Me) is pretty good, very Beatle-esque. Lots of banjo on this one, very jaunty. I'm trying not to look at this as an early pinnacle of boy-band commodification. That said, I'm actually enjoying some of the songs. More than some of the other actual art albums on the list. Not sure what that says about me and my punk aspirations. Sometimes a sugar candy is nice.
Nobody needs 1.5 hours of the Monkees. I could only take about 30 minutes before I gave up.
Album assez frais avec des sons courts, melodies et arrangements tres annees 60 avec des sonorités un peu rock speed et folk. C’est tres frais car on ressent l amusement lors de l’enregistrement. Groupe de pop rock de LA qui s’est créé pour la serie « the Monkees ». Cet album est detrone des podiums par les Beattles
De er inne på noe
I grew up watching reruns of The Monkees, and the music is okay but not for 1 1/2 hours.
No private session used for Spotify. It's The Monkees, never got into the TV show but do like a couple of their songs. This album is lyrically and musically is rooted in the 60s. Zilch kinda blew my mind, I didn't realize The Funky Homosapien was sampling/covering the Monkees. Other than that track, I don't know why I would ever listen to this again. Spotify played the Deluxe Edition for me, at 1hr 33 minutes it was really starting to get on my nerves. Then I went to the internet, got the original track listing and found out I had already listened to enough, which saved this album from a one star rating..I couldn't handle 93 minutes of this. The original album was only 33 minutes and that seems reasonable.
I really enjoyed this and listened to the entire 1.5 hour deluxe edition. I found it charming. Its a lot of total beatles rip offs, but really, I dont care. They sound good and fun. I can understand why they were so popular. The pretending to play the instruments and all that is another story, but this was a fun album.
Fun enough
Monkees are a greatest hits band for me - enough tracks to make a strong album - but do not really want to be delving into the weeds of the many albums. Without checking i think only Shades of Gray, For Petes Sake and Randy Scouse Git were on my greatest hits album - and whilst Shades of gray is too schmaltzy - For Pete's Sake and Randy Scouse Git are still good fun. The rest of the album tracks are all a bit generic and forgettable.
Headquarters The context of this is perhaps more interesting than the actual album, even if the self penned tracks are generally among the strongest, and it does drag a little for an album that is only 30 minutes long. I do love the combination of their voices though, their harmonies and vocal sound are distinctly mid 60s in a very pleasing way. It starts off well with the excellent You Told Me, but the less said about Band 6 the better. You Just May Be the One is good, with a great bassline and tone. For Pete’s Sake is a nice Byrds/Buffalo Springfield country rock track, as is Sunny Girlfriend. I’ve never liked Randy Scouse Git. I’ll Spend My Life With You, Early Morning Blues and Greens and Shades of Grey are probably the best of the rest. The story of the Monkees and their desire for creative input into what was a quite insane output of content in their name is fascinating. As part of that story this is a nice historical curio, containing a handful of enjoyable mid 60s songs. But it’s also notable that this was released 4 days before Sgt Pepper, and in that light it feels like it already sounded anachronistic as soon as it came out. Still I did enjoy it, both musically and contextually, so I think it makes the 3s. 🙉🙉🙉 Playlist submission: You Told Me
Whilst there's nothing here to trouble their big hits, and whilst not feeling any way innovative for 1967 (feels more stuck in 1965), and whilst wholly derivative of the British invasion (opening with Help-era Beatles/Hollies appreciation track 'You Told Me'), and whilst overshadowed by the subsequent single of the same year 'Daydream Beleiver', the point of this was that they had wrested creative control after their manufactured years, wrote a handful of tracks, and played their own instruments. Important at the time (for them, not necessarily for anyone else), this throws up a few enjoyable melodies and a couple of curios. The Monkees can't really be said to be much more than a singles band (in fact their best album is probably 2016's 'Good Times!'). But this is a decent stab, as with most Monkees albums quite a strange mixture of elements, but some excellent moments, including the Kinks-like 'Randy Scouse Git'.
The Monkees were a pop band for sure.
Interesting...
There is a reason the Monkees outsold the Beatles and Stones one year. They made fun music.
Wasn't particularly satisfied. Sounded a bit slow like rhymes and random talking. Would prolly appreciate it after listening to more albums.
Upbeat and fun.
not my taste but there were a few good songs
60s pop all kinda sounds the same to me
A couple decent songs, and a lot of filler.
This album feels like a Beatles spin-off, with plenty of jaunty upbeat tracks and pop-rock tones. The problem is, it sounds like a band trying to impersonate the Beatles without anything new or interesting of their own. The songs are fine with 2-3 strong points, but nothing about them feel memorable. Also… the deluxe version is 90 minutes long, which is absolutely crazy given the similarity of many of the tracks.
I found this pretty mid. Some well written songs, but it apes too much from the Beatles and isn't really weird enough to be good psych
Слушал с удовольствием. Битловские интонации.
7/10… sunshine pop / oldie rock / *1967
Favourite Songs: Early Morning Blues And Greens Randy Scouse Git
“Zilch” sounds like one of those schizophrenia simulators
Didn’t know this band and I loved the album! There’s even an Italian track which was so funny to me.
The Beatles and The Mamas & the Papas had a baby. If I look at it through that lens, I can enjoy it.
Monkees are under appreciated. This is Pet Sounds level stuff
Solid tunes and playing
I like the idea better than the execution.
Though they were engineered to be an American Beatle knockoff, I do think they are underrated musically. Some of their stuff is pretty interesting. Some not so much. Some is just weird. But...I was a devoted fan when I was a child and Davy Jones was my first serious crush...and probably why I've got a thing for short guys. Two songs I loved from this album when I was young...Shades of Gray and A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You. So in honor of that I think this album deserves at least a 3. I would probably give a 3.5 if that were an option.
It is indeed ironic that the album that was supposed to be "original compositions" ended up being not just Beatles-inspired but entirely duplicative of specific Beatles songs, culminating with what has to be a parody of Paul. I am not about to listen to their later albums (wow, there were a lot of them) to determine if they ever managed to write songs that were actually original (all the hits were written by real songwriters). This is just kind of bewildering. Randy Scouse Git, the song and the phrase, made me laugh, though. Actually the whole thing made me laugh.
Maybe it's because the culture I grew up in was much more accepting of "inauthentic" music artists than they were in the 60s, but I never saw the fact that The Monkees were manufactured as that big of a deal. Of course it's manufactured! It's pop music! In fact, if anything, it made them even more interesting: a group put together in a cynical attempt to capture the attention of young people, made up of genuine artists (Well, three artists. My apologies to Davy Jones, but he was pretty undeniably the "cute one" and the weakest link musically.) who fought for creative control of their music. That said, I don't know if this is the best showcase of them as a band. It's a lot of songs that sound like The Beatles. I would have put The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees (the one with Daydream Believer) or the soundtrack from HEAD...but I'm not the one writing the list. This record is a 3.5.
Sabías que no hacían sus propias canciones? Bueno, en este álbum sí. Está bueno eh. Banco. Me entretuvo. Nada muy original para la época pero bien pensados los hits. 6/10
Definitely a blast from the past. I remember when this group had a episodic series on Saturday mornings. The only song I would remove was "11 Zilch & 12. No Time" as I just thought it was silly.
I actually enjoyed the original track list, only 30 minutes. The spotify hour and a half version would be way too much. Would listen again
I can appreciate what they were going for here. There are some psychedelic touches, and this era is usually right in my wheelhouse, so I expected to like it more than I did. It just never really comes together. The songs feel a little flat, and it lacks the edge or personality that makes other albums from this time stand out. Not terrible, just not convincing. For a style I usually love, this one missed the mark for me.
Not my usual thing tbh. Nice moments I like the hits from the monkees but an album is too much for me
Maybe one of the 1001 TV shows to watch but definitely not one for this list.
2.8 kinda skipped though this one as my music provider had 36 songs and and hour and a half worth of music. A little be me, and all of your toys were pretty catchy. Im sure most of it is, but I mean, who is listening to the Monkees unless you grew up with them
When you endeavor to make a commercial replica of one or more highly regarded artists and succeed, you may enjoy the success but you will never make art worth enjoying.
8/10
Headquarters van monkey house is veel leuker
beatles 2
This sounds to me like an alternate universe Rubber Soul, expect in this universe Rubber Soul is terrible. Just seems like a horrible attempt to make the American Rubber Soul but like 2 years too late. I had a sort of evil mischievous thought as I was listening, that if someone went back in time and plopped any one of these songs onto Rubber Soul, would it still be regarded as a 10 by most people? And I honestly think people would. But this thought kind of exposed the futility of what we are doing here, just grading albums from like 60 years ago against an arbitrary scale, and made me realize that giving a numerical rating to a piece of art (as great or terrible as it may be) can hardly capture its essence, so I chose to ignore this thought so I can keep having fun with this. The thing about this album is that sandwiched in between all of this foolishness is this beautiful and honest moment “You May Just Be The One” which to me sounds proto-GBV, like Robert Pollard might be jealous of this song. It sounds like a different band than the rest of the album. I hate this album. I can’t believe we are still talking about the Monkees in 2026.
If Help! became a band and only had access to a potato to record its music you’d have this record. Zilch was great though
Can definitely see the influence this has had on jangle pop and modern indie music. I like how weird they got at times. Solid stuff EDIT: I AM EASILY INFLUENCED AND I THINK I DIDNT LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM CLOSELY ENOUGH TO REALIZE ITS REALLY NOTHING THAT SPECIAL
There is a reason I never heard of this. I’d rather listen to the Beatles, beach boys or the beegees. This album was uninteresting and uninspiring and does not stand the test of time.