Headquarters

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.

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

Enjoyed some songs but this album just keeps going

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.

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.

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

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

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

This album raises the question: "does the context of the albums creation matter?" Without the background, it is just an ok album

Great little album!

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".

Davey Jones plays the heck out of that tamb, single-handed.

More fun than the Beatles, maybe not quite as adept at writing songs.

si tuviera la mitad de canciones sería algo bastante interesante

Charming, but I prefer their early artificial material

Temu Beatles. 36 songs GTFO! Most don’t hold up 60 years later.

Good music to have in the background

Better than I expected

Sounded like a Beatles rip off and not as good

Cornballs. Don't remember much, but I enjoyed it

Fun album. Pretty vanilla and safe, but fun. Randy Scouse Git is a standout.

Decent. Shows some signs of what was to come from The Monkees and their next album, which is a pure classic imo. 6/10

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.

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

3/5

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.

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

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.

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

Aight

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

Love The Monkees, this would have been a great album but needed to lose 6 or 7 tracks

as expected

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

Blev ikke ikke helt klik på det virkede lidt fjollet.

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.

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.

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

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...

Upbeat and fun.

not my taste but there were a few good songs

Favourite Songs: Early Morning Blues And Greens Randy Scouse Git

The Beatles and The Mamas & the Papas had a baby. If I look at it through that lens, I can enjoy it.

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

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

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

Headquarters van monkey house is veel leuker

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

Eh, no thanks. Nice harmonies and all that, but I don't really listen to music for the harmonies. I did, however, listen to the whole album, so it's an automatic 3 for these guys.

3/5 - So, if I didn't know this was The Monkees, I'd say "what is this obvious Beatles rip-off trash?" Now, because the group was conceived as such, and it's clearly intentional, does that give it a pass? Sort of, I guess?? I didn't entirely hate this, but I also know that I didn't like it either.

Shure, it's my generation. Sorry - I CAN surwive without listening!

Strange album! Some of these tracks were 5 star, some were certainly 1 or 2 stars. This generally sounded like a poor Beatles imitation, but a few tracks will be going on 'the playlist'

Beatles like group, not bad, but over helmed after several listening sessions.

monkey.

This was alright

This was fine, but I want to know WHO WAS ASKING FOR A DELUXE EDITION OF THIS? Way too many extras here, it was unnecessary except to the most fervent fans. 2.5/5 overall which is generous (at least today)

Fun and enjoyable, but not my jam. I can tell they tried hard to get away from their early image.

BiedaBeatlesi. Nie są oryginalni, nie są odważni, wszystko wydaje się zrobione na łapu-capu. 5/10.

Silliness throughout.

I was a huge fan of The Monkees show when I was a kid. This was the 70s when local stations ran repeats. I had a greatest hits cassette I wore out. While I do enjoy many of their songs, they did break any ground. They were very much in line with the sound of the day and relied on songwriters to help them out.

Oh, I love The Monkees, so it pains me to say that I wasn't very impressed. I know there's humour, but lots of the approach seems quite earnest and the production lacks oomph. Side 1 was wishy-washy and even twee in places. Side 2 got going a bit more, and I liked For Pete's Sake and Sunny Girlfriend; it finishes with a bang, at least, with Randy Scouse Git. Nice harmonies and happy memories of the fabulous TV show, but not really a memorable experience overall.

Beetje Beatle vibes

Can see why they were a big 60’s name, very much paved the way for Pop and Rock.

I think I just like 60's pop VS pop in other decades because this album was better than I thought it was gonna be. Was it great? No. Was it terribly bad? Also No. It was cookie cutter 60's pop and also kinda sounded like a Beatles rip off in some spots and frankly could be worse. Net, net i'm not a believer but i'm also not a hater... Lastly, this cover art is not helping with their image.

Stark contast to The Who album I just reviewed from the same year. This one definitely felt more saccharine and had less raw rock elements. Still enjoyable but definitely less willing to take risks. Overall- 2.5 to 3 out of 5

I only really know the big hits by the Monkees so wasn’t fully sure what to expect. Starting off with You Told Me, I’m getting early Beatles vibes a lot here, I guess they’re around the same era. There’s some really nice melodies and vocal harmonies shown here such as “I’ll Spend My Life With You”. Thematically it doesn’t deviate too much from the love song/broken heart topics which often is the only thing bands used to sing about (I mentioned early Beatles who are an example of this, until they really progressed later on). It’s nice to hear the slightly slower paced “Shades of Gray” which is a little more ballad-like. Nice piano lines featured here, and lyrics I think everyone can relate to. Though there are quite a few nice songs here – it’s not quite doing enough different for me. Notable tracks for me: Shades of Gray, You Just May Be The One, No Time.

I found this a little boring. Nothing was a stand out.

Very good, nicely produced & performed album.

I enjoy sunny 60s pop music enough to get behind this, but I think I would tire of it if not for that fact.

Bit of a snooze unfortunately

Ok but nothing special. Can’t help seeing them as a fake Beatles!!

As a child of the 80s raised on 60s pop, I never quite knew which story to believe about the Monkees. And I’m not sure I really care, I like the songs. Yes they are Beatles imitators but 1) aren’t we all and 2) at their best, they are a bit more relaxed than the Beatles, letting out a different side of the sound. This album is just a 3 for me because I don’t hear anything absolutely essential in it, but I enjoy it nevertheless.

What the frick is this album cover.

Good for them for fighting to record their own songs and play their own instruments. Most importantly, who the hell knew we have the Monkees to thank for the genius that is Del the Funky Homosapien's Mr. Bob Dobalina! I did not know that weird, wild stuff!

Like the Beatles/beach boys

It was a very playful and fun album to me. Some points docked for the absolute insane length. However I never felt bored which is incredible.

3/5 Each song felt different, though I do think they sounded a lot like the Beatles. I loved the songs Zilch and Jericho because it showcased the playfulness of the band. They really seemed to have fun with this album and I can appreciate that.

Uh oh! You failed your perception check, and got fooled by the Beatles Mimic. Take 4d4 psychic damage, and you are Charmed by their empty songs.

Mr Dobalina

Temu Beatles

OK, I obviously know The Monkees (thanks to MTV in the late '80s) but what an odd album choice - scanning the track titles I don't recognize ANY of these. It's been a while since I've made this complaint, but... I have no problem including The Monkees in this project - 1001 albums is a LOT of albums - but I can't imagine that TWO Monkees albums need to be included, and if I had to choose I think I would go with one of their albums with hits on it. (Were these guys really that big in the UK?) The Monkees were a fascinating phenomenon. I enjoyed their show as a kid and I still enjoy a lot of their music. Some interesting trivia from the Wikipedia page: "The album was released on May 22, 1967, and charted at No. 1 in the U.S., only to be replaced the following week by the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band; it then began a run of 11 consecutive weeks at the No. 2 position as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Headquarters became the two top-selling records during the "Summer of Love" period."

I know of the band and their most famous song but other than that this is new to me. Its kind of exactly what I expected, fun rock music from long ago. The age really shows and I can clearly hear the inspiration it left for later bands. Not something I would choose to listen to when later bands in the genre has made it better in my opinion.

I can’t believe it’s not Beatles! I like my Brit pop how I like my processed meats; heavily manufactured. Wait, which one is supposed to be Paul?

These guys weren't bad

Pretty solid. Something between the doors and the beatles.

passively enjoyable! high 3. they had some interesting ideas but the album wasn't as engaging as others released around this time

I know this might seem unfair, but I can’t shake the feeling that this is a pale copy of The Beatles. I mean, I understand that people dug it at the time. I also understand it has been influential. I just don’t think I’ll get the urge to listen again. At least now I know where Mr Dobalina came from.

Very 60s version of the Monkees, but none of their big hits.

i liked it! it's like discovering an early beatles album that I somehow hadn't heard before. although I could have done with out accidentally listenining to the complete deluxe edition which included another 25 tracks

Fun. I guess.

Good album, like the general sound. Nostalgic and fun.

Ihan menevää 60-luvun pop rockia.

60-talets Hanna Montana. Om jag förstått rätt har de här gått vidare från TV-serien de skapades för, till att göra ett album mer utifrån sina egna premisser och med till viss del egenskrivet material. Och visst det stabil 60-talspop. Varken mer eller mindre. You just me be the one och rökaren No time sticker ut på uppsidan. Gillar även banjoplocket på inledande You told me. Svag, men ändock en trea.

14 songs, 31 minutes. Cannot say that there are many bangers on this one, but it was a pleasant listen.

This third Monkees album saw the band get out from under the studios and really make their own album, showing that they were a very competent group. Doesn't have the hits of the earlier records but still a pretty good listen

Some very pleasant songs here some of which move away from the goofiness for which they were known until this point.

A good listen and I am always pleasantly surprised at how listenable The Monkees are.

There is just always something very endearing and fun about The Monkees. But that’s probably part of conditioning from their TV programme as an 80s kid (did BBC or ITV re-run their shows, can’t remember?). There’s not many real quality songs in there, but their Beatles meets Jefferson Airplane style is nice on my ear. Also, I’ve never thought about it before but Micky Dolenz is definitely the best singer of the gang. His Randy Scouse Git is also the pick of the bunch.

Def long asf 🕕 ! But it's a vibe and I'm loving the choice of instruments and lyrics !

bellino lo riascolterò

Sympa sans plus

On dirait une parodie des Beatles, et ça tombe bien le groupe a été créé pour être une parodie des Beatles

It's pretty OK. Happy fun music of its era. Zilch is annoying.

just fun silly late sixties pop. Songs about hanging out with that gal you fancy, I think it culminates in I Cant Get Her Off My Mind. Its all simple but thats because it doesnt have to be complicated for what is it. Except for Band 6. Literally slapping around instruments for 40 seconds.

Just a bunch of silly pop songs. The Monkees sound like they had a lot of fun making this album. Pretty harmless overall

Very nice

It is hard not to like the Monkees. For those of us old enough to grow up with the television show and the years of re-runs it is interesting to hear these tracks in remastered sound. Always catchy with a good sense of melody Nesmith’s writing is first class for the folk pop that is the centering force for these tracks. While Headquarters is a lengthy and solid effort, not all of it works. The genius of the Monkees was that they were made for small bites- not a whole pie. You can have too much of a good thing. The fact that the TV band were talented musicians was not surprising if you watched the show. The fact that they were able to carry this album off by themselves demonstrates that they were all very talented. Not my thing but well executed. 3/5

Pleasant enough

There are worse bands to do an impression of. It's a 2.5 rounded up.

The opposite to James Brown? Glad they did it. But not gonna listen to it again.

I don't know about you guys but I am just loving this homoerotic album cover

Perfectly fine 60s pop- lacks the depth and ‘tude of their contemporaries though. 2.5

Not gonna pretend like this isn't a really charming aping of the Beatles in their poppier era (though there are no John and George vocal copycats here), plus harmonies that remind of the Beach Boys.

It's alright. Came out, what, right after "Pet Sounds" and at the same time as "Sgt Pepper's"? In a vacuum, pretty solid, but otherwise sounds like a Beach Boys knock off. Not lovin' it overall, but there's a couple decent tracks. "For Pete's Sake" and "Forget That Girl" stand out, imo.

Music for kindergarteners vibe I kinda like it, it's fun, but man, I ain't a kid.

Sounded very Beatles like, upbeat, fun

There are some catchy songs here. I like the story of The Monkees, and they do have some legitimately good songs. They were never groundbreaking but were able to perform songs that were good examples of what was popular at the time.

The Monkees are a better band than most people give them credit for. Mike Nesmith in particular is almost wasted in the band, as he was churning out better jangly Americana than the Byrds were. As is the case with most Monkees releases, his songs shine here -- "You Told Me", "You May Just Be the One", and "Sunny Girlfriend" are all great. Micky Dolenz also shines on a couple of cool originals too, in "No Time" and "Randy Scouse Git". Sure they sound suspiciously like Paul McCartney songs, but they're still pretty rockin'. Then there's Davy Jones. The one member of the band with questionable musical talent who's every appearance is a crime against good music. The Davy Jones stuff definitely holds this back. 3.5 stars.

Ahh, The Monkees. A band from my childhood. The original manufactured boy band. Created purely for a TV program, they couldn't even play their instruments when they were formed. But they soon became a phenomenon of the age. With top level song writers like Neil Diamond, they couldn't miss. And although I know several songs on this album, Shades Of Grey stands out as one of my favourites. Part of me wants to give it a 4, but does it stand out as influential enough? The band were trail blazers for sure, but..... No I can't do it, it just won't cut it with the other albums I have given a 4. It pains me but its a 3

The songs were ok. I imagine at the time it was a big step for them.

Maybe it’s because I was not alive back in the 60s when The Monkees were a pop phenomenon, but I’m having a hard time to know why this particular album must be listened before I die. Don’t they have more iconic records?

Ya it was better than I expected.

This is what I would expect of a group originally brought together to resemble the Beatles and capitalize on their momentum. It’s playful and Beatles-esque, with a pretty middle of the road late 60s sound. I could have done with more songs like “no time”.

*Started out great and fun but then slowed down too much as the album went on.

I like the Monkees. This was ok. Maybe they should have stuck to studio musicians.

it was ok, but nothing especially distinctive standing out about it

All I could think about was the scene from the simpsons episode where Marge had a monkees lunch box and the other girl told her the monkees don’t even write their own songs. Great value Beatles but still pretty enjoyable.

Not bad enough to drop under 3 but this 60’s hippy-glee pop just doesn’t hit for me.

Lots of variety on this record. I enjoyed the bluesier tracks and the upbeat ones. A lot of the tracks sounded kind of like jingles. Favourite Track(s): No Time Least Favourite Track(s): Mr. Webster

I didn't really care for this album at all.

This album was fun, but very dated. Not exactly my style, but I liked it. The Monkees are legendary for a reason

It was fine? Feels like standard 60s pop. I was reading it was the first album they got to write, and well, good for them, but also... their first two albums were better.

You Told Me 3.3 I'll Spend My Life with You 3.3 Forget That Girl 3.1 Band 6 2.8 You Just May Be the One 3 Shades of Gray 3.4 I Can't Get Her Off My Mind 3 For Pete's Sake 3.2 Mr. Webster 3 Sunny Girlfriend 3.3 Zilch 2.4 No Time 3.3 Early Morning Blues and Greens 3.2 Randy Scouse Git 3 Score: 3.092857143

Very Beatles, background music. I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it. 36 songs in one album? I listened to the Deluxe edition. 99 pounds, Randy Scouse Git and Italian Monkee songs are great.

Relatively pleasant and inoffensive '60s rock, not the most boring this list has to offer and Zilch kinda got a groove to it

The Monkees are without a doubt talented. The harmonizing of the vocals and the number of different instruments being played stands out on this album. The songs themselves are very dated and the lyrics are simple, but the music is good. BTW - 36 songs?? Smh.

I found this record to be an extremely mixed bag. There are a couple standouts for sure, but a lot of stuff was pretty forgettable. Best Track: I’ll Spend My Life With You

Yes, the "Beatles" Good story tellers 3/5

it was ok

Early Monkees sounds exactly as I'd have expected it to. Educating myself on this era, it appears no one was sure if they were even playing their own instruments during this period? It sounds like typical manufactured 60s pop and not something I'd consider essential listening. But inoffensive.

Fine, I guess? The Monkees have some great songs, but unfortunately none of them are on this album. The version of this album I listened to did not contain their version of Neil Diamond’s A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You (was on an early draft of a track listing for this album from what the Wikipedia article said), which is too bad since that song is pretty good.

I’m a huge Monkees fan. I understand the importance of this record and there’s a lot that I like on it. But I was struck on this listen by how much was just okay. The following albums are I think more solid. Hopefully they’re on the list as well.

It had some really great songs, but also some pretty smelly crap.

Pre: I expect bubble gum pop, I think of the few episodes of the monkeys show Post: Suprised how much song sounded like their contemporaries like nillson, Beatles ect. Better then expected

Favorite Track: Randy Scouse Git

10/31/25. Happy Halloween! Not a spooky record, but a solid pop rock album of the era. Sometimes less is more, although I did think many of the songs sounded similar. The acapella track was interesting.

30/10/2025 Loooong and relatively boring. Spotify listeners: 3.9 million

Are important for thriving companies.

Sure, it’s very derivative in parts, but it’s also better than it probably has any right to be. ‘You Told Me’, ‘Forget That Girl’, ‘I Can’t Get Her Off My Mind’, ‘For Pete’s Sake, ‘Mr. Webster’, ‘Zilch’, Early Morning Blues And Greens’, and ‘Randy Scouse Git’ are my favourite tracks here. This is a solid 3.

Highlights: I'll Spend My Life With You and Shades of Gray

I can hear some of these tracks belonging in the background of late 1960 telly ads. still a fun album to listen to.

I don’t mind this, pretty good 60s psychedelic rock and apparently one where they started writing more of their own songs and playing their own instruments

Decent stuff

zeer goeie muziek voor in de achtergrond... beetje Beatles Light

This is better than I thought the Monkees could do for sure. I had heard 1 or 2 of these tracks before, but if I jumped right into the middle of the album without knowing it, I wouldn't have guessed it was the Monkees. 3 star for me.

Pretty typical pop/rock(?) album for the time. It's pretty average. This album was released a week before Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It spent the first week at no. 1 and then fell to no. 2 behind Sgt Pepper. So for me, the most interesting aspect of this album is that it better contextualizes just how revolutionary Sgt Pepper was. This was the sound of the top of the charts and then Sgt Pepper happened. 3 stars

3.5 stars i liked the upbeatier tracks, but some of them were not my taste

A little disorienting because it’s a feeling of thinking this should be the Beatles/Stones/Kinks. Fun but still a sense of commercial music.

It really sounds like The Monkees had fun doing this and that's a good thing.

Zilch is the best track. I was waiting for a track to really lock in with something interesting. Early Morning Blues and Greens was the closest I got. You get a well made pretty cohesive album that doesn't ask much of the listener.

Obviously this is hugely derivative. Track 1 is so Revolver it's funny. It can still be enjoyable to listen to though. Probably enjoyed Early Morning Blues, Shades of Grey and Randy Scouse Git the most.

It does seem like a band trying to sound like every other 60 band. But it has a charm about it

15.10.25 #20 Favourite Tracks: You told me, You just may be the one, A little bit... She hangs out, The girl i knew somewhere Rate: 6/10

disassociation music

Very hard to find the actual published songs as most were studio recordings, one song I liked

For a cracker-jack Beatles boy band knock-off this was kind of fun. I'm not sure where this fits in my library of music seeing that it was all fake and made as a corporate response to capitalize on Beatlemania. I guess there are songs/"bands" from movies and TV that have some fun songs, so I'll just take it as it is.: fun for a quick listen, but not much more.

Their third album, but the first where they were allowed to actually be a band, play their own instruments and write several of the songs. I hadn't listened to this one all the way through before. Happy to hear some of my favorites on it. Over all a good album, not stunning, but a good listen. Faves: "Randy Scouse Git", "For Pete's Sake", "You Just Might Be The One" Least fave: "Shades of Gray" - sounds like they're trying to sing notes that aren't natural for their voices.

Another exceeding of expectations! These guys are not just a novelty! Interesting melodies and instrumentation were ahead of their time. And ‘Zilch’ (really?!) as the sample for Del the Funky Homosapiens “Mistadobalina”. Crazy. 3.5

The Monkees er et veldig interessant. De to første platene har gode låter skrevet av gode låtskrivere og musikerne er helt supre. Særlig More of the Monkees har jeg hørt mye på. Jeg bestemte meg tidlig å ikke boikotte Monkees fordi de basically var et boyband satt sammen for TV-serien, men det er et valg jeg bare kunne gjøre fordi låtene har vært såpass sterke. Så er jo det interessante at på dette albumet så spiller gutta selv og til og med skriver selv. Bandet vokste ut av TV-skjermen og ble et ekte band, litt som Pinocchio. Problemet er jo at de ikke er så gode på det som musikerne og låtskriverne de har hatt med seg tidligere. De stiller derfor på høyde med et hvilket som helst band som prøvde å make it big på 60-tallet. Med litt obligatoriske summer of love-elementer og Beatles-vokal (som de er flinke på). Det jeg liker best er countrypreget platen har, som høres ut som sologreiene til Michael Nesmith. Så ja, du vil få følelsen av 60-tallet med høydepunktene "Shades of Gray", "You Just May Be the One" og "For Pete's Sake". Men det vil du få av mye annet også. Lurte på hvor jeg hadde hørt "Zilch" bli samplet før, og det er "Mistadobalina" av Del the Funky Homosapien. Rå låt

I know the Monkees but truly have not listened to much of their stuff. Cool stuff.

Mister Dobalina? Mister Bob Dobalina?! This was fun, naturally, its The Monkees!

1. Zich was fun. The album goes on in pretty similar songs, and it was a nice change of pace

60 luvun pop rokkia joten tää ei taas sillein hirveästi eroa muusta saman aikakauden tuotoksista. Erikoisena ehkä että levyllä on väli skittejä. Ihan jees. Parhaat: Early Morning Blues And Green, No Time

great opener and flatlined after that

Yeah, this is pretty much what I'd expect from band that was manufactured for TV in the 60s to capitalize on the success of the Beatles. This album's fine. It's not complex at all, but it's not the most shallow thing I've listened to. I will say that the fact that the Monkees fought for creative control over their own music is immensely respectable. Good on them for actually trying instead of just cashing in their checks without caring about art. Of course, this is still basic 60s pop rock. There's nothing mind-blowing in this album. There are some pseudo-experimental tracks on here, but they don't really work for me. Like, why is "Zilch" here? What does this do for the album? I don't know. Some songs are good here. "Randy Scouse Git" is pretty alright. However, that doesn't change the fact that this album doesn't do much for me personally. Maybe you just had to be there. Light 3/5.

It’s no Beatles

They think they’re the Beatles but they’re not. A good selection of songs but a bit bland

This is like a more sterile, 4-years-behind Beatles and I won't listen to it again. Not as bad as I was expecting tho. 2.5 rounded up so I'm not a complete hater

Decent

I’ll give it a 3, but it’s incessant and brutal to go through.

An inoffensive late 60s album. I'm a fan of more of this than I expected. More variety than I expected. A 3, though maybe a 4 if All of Your Toys ends up on my playlist.

Solid

Gang de macaques. Voilà, c'est ma critique, kessé vous voulez de plus? C'est des singes qui imitent les goat, c'est pas mal ça que font les singes, messemble. J'ai une de ses envies de goguer, moi

The story behind this album is pretty cool—being the first time The Monkees played their own instruments and wrote most of the material in response to the “manufactured band” criticism. That definitely makes the album more respectable. As for the music itself, it’s solid 60s pop rock, but it doesn’t really stand out from the rest of what was going on during that era. It’s decent, just nothing too remarkable.

Forget That Girl // Randy Scouse Git 2.5/5

3/5

Generic mid 60's, post-early Beatles pop. Not bad. I'd listen to it again but, I'd probably just put on Rubber Soul, instead.

Fun and jovial but not their best work IMO

They talk about frisbee

Just fine... a little background 60's noise but it's pleasant

Enjoyable listen and nice vocals but so Beatle and Kinkesque that it just sounds like a parody to me.

60-luvun rockia juu, toki tällä kertaa rapakon tuolta puolen. 3/5

None of the major hits and still fairly enjoyable overall. More depth on several tracks than I was anticipating. 3.5

Silly Monkees.

meh

This is the cutest thing I've ever had the pleasure of hearing :3 I love The Monkees.

This kind of felt like off-brand Beatles, but I didn't hate it by any means

This album has been miscategorized, it isn't rock. This is pop music that happens to involve some guitar.

Fully pleasant, but unchallenging. Sounds very 60s pop. Each track reminds me of the previous.

This is a fun album - it's pretty dumb but at least John Lennon had no involvement

Not my favorite Monkees LP, but not bad. More psych with an obvious Sgt. Peppers influence. Still better than TV band music has the right to be.

This was ok, nice simple pop songs. Nothing too deep or interesting and all short. Nowhere near the Beatles in terms of quality. Listened to it twice and just not really sticking with me or something I plan to revisit

I don't get the hate this album is getting. As an album its perfectly fine. I wish some of the songs had more energy but its not this offensive Beatles copy as some of the reviews make it out to be.

A nice light hearted 60s album with the standard kind of feel. First few songs were great but it faded away over time. That Zilch song was strange though.

2.6 This list has had its fair share of Beatles copycat bands but this one takes the biscuit. 4 yanks, yet slight Scouse twangs dotted here and there, bizarre. Issue is they appear to be a few years behind, with a poor imitation of Help/Rubber Soul era Beatles released the same time as Sgt Peppers. Looking forward to my life involving less 60s music once I'm done with this list.

Too long

A little too old timey for me, but still pretty good

Good, but like a weird Beatles knockoff sometimes

Clásico, tienen en algunos momentos notas Psicodélicas.

Great start with You Told Me, but the album loses steam fast. Most of it feels flat, with little passion or originality behind the performances. You can tell the band had real talent, but the record sounds like it was shaped more by label expectations than genuine inspiration. It’s competent, but rarely exciting, the kind of album that plays it safe instead of taking risks. 6/10.

Im a beliver-shrek

Саншайн поп, какого было прилично, ну рука не поднимается на эту музыку. Лучшая песня - Forget That Girl.

Good but all the songs kinda sound the same after a while

Enjoyable Pop with a touch of that fun late 60s weirdness. I'm glad The Monkees were allowed some creative control over their music even if it's not all that essential.

Surprisingly good. 3.5/5

Not bad but kinda just budget Beatles

In high school me and my friends jumped the fence and snuck in to see The Monkees as part of their 20-year anniversary tour. We got caught by security who ended up letting us stay. We left after three songs because the band sucked. It was a far cry from “I’m a Believer” and “Last Train to Clarksville.” This album was fine. The songs are ok, with the NeSmith-penned ones holding up better.

This is fine. Pretty good for the first ever boy band! Not much else to say… 2.75/5

A mostly uptempo album that is a very easy listen. The interludes (Band 6 & Zilch) are unique ways of breaking the album up. Highlights: - No Time - I Can’t Get Her Off My Mind - For Pete’s Sake

Yeah sure why not

Quite up and down, feels like The Monkees got some creative freedom and were working out what to do with it. Hate to say it but I prefer their older pre-produced stuff, but that could just be familiarity. I would listen to this again. Randy Scouse Git is the only one I recognised from before.

Even though this band is essentially a second rate Beatles impersonation, I did enjoy bits of this, particularly the weird goofy parts like Zilch. Probably won't bother listening to it again though.

It's cute, inoffensive soft rock music. Nothing bad, nothing too outstanding.

En 1967, le monde de la musique fut à jamais bouleversé par la sortie de "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" des Beatles. Cet album, unanimement salué comme un chef-d'oeuvre absolu, une révolution sonore et un monument de la production en studio, a redéfini les limites de ce que pouvait être un album de rock. Il est devenu le point de comparaison inévitable pour toute oeuvre de l'époque. Pourtant, quelques jours à peine avant la sortie de ce mastodonte, un autre groupe, bien moins respecté et largement considéré comme une fabrication commerciale, sortait son propre disque. Cet album, c'était "Headquarters", et le groupe, The Monkees. Le placer face à Sgt. Pepper semble, à première vue, une hérésie. Et pourtant, je maintiens une opinion qui peut paraître provocatrice : dans son intention, dans son âme et dans ce qu'il représente, "Headquarters" est un album bien plus important et, sur certains aspects cruciaux, supérieur à l'œuvre immaculée des Fab Four. Pour comprendre "Headquarters", il faut comprendre le contexte de sa naissance. The Monkees n'étaient pas un groupe, mais un concept. Quatre acteurs et musiciens castés pour une série télévisée, dont le succès fulgurant reposait sur des chansons écrites par les meilleurs auteurs de Brill Building et jouées par des musiciens de session de génie (le fameux Wrecking Crew). On les surnommait avec mépris les "Pre-Fab Four". Leurs deux premiers albums, bien que remplis de tubes pop parfaits, n'étaient pas les leurs. C'est là que le leader de facto du groupe, Michael Nesmith, un musicien et compositeur texan talentueux et têtu, mena la fronde. Au cours d'une réunion houleuse avec le superviseur musical Don Kirshner, il enfonça son poing dans un mur en déclarant : "Ça, ça pourrait être votre visage". Le message était clair : les Monkees voulaient leur indépendance. Ils voulaient écrire leurs chansons. Ils voulaient jouer de leurs instruments. "Headquarters" est le fruit de cette rébellion. C'est le son de la liberté. Dès les premières notes de "You Told Me", la guitare country-rock de Nesmith donne le ton. Le son est plus rêche, moins poli que tout ce qu'ils avaient fait auparavant. On entend un groupe qui joue ensemble, dans la même pièce, avec l'énergie brute d'un groupe de garage. Micky Dolenz, dont la voix pop si reconnaissable avait porté leurs plus grands hits, se révèle être un batteur solide et plein d'entrain. Peter Tork, le multi-instrumentiste sous-estimé, brille au banjo, au clavier et à la basse. Même Davy Jones, le "joli coeur" du groupe, prend part à l'effort collectif, bien que ses contributions restent plus conventionnelles. Là où Sgt. Pepper est une oeuvre de studio méticuleuse, "Headquarters" est une esquisse au fusain, pleine de traits vifs, de ratures et d'une spontanéité palpable. On entend les plaisanteries entre les prises, les hésitations, les petites erreurs qui rendent l'ensemble si vivant, si humain. L'étrange interlude a cappella "Zilch" en est le parfait exemple : une blague de studio, absurde et joyeuse, qu'aucun producteur soucieux des ventes n'aurait laissé passer. C'est là que réside sa supériorité sur Sgt. Pepper. L'album des Beatles est une perfection froide, une merveille de technologie et d'arrangement. C'est l'oeuvre de génies de studio au sommet de leur art. "Headquarters", lui, est une oeuvre de coeur. C'est le son de quatre hommes qui se battent pour leur dignité artistique et qui gagnent. Chaque note transpire cette lutte et cette joie. C'est l'authenticité contre l'artifice. La sueur contre le vernis. Des chansons comme "Sunny Girlfriend" ou le rock endiablé de "No Time" possèdent une énergie que l'on ne trouve pas sur le disque psychédélique et cérébral des Beatles. Le chef-d'oeuvre de l'album est sans doute "Randy Scouse Git", composé et chanté par Micky Dolenz. C'est un morceau psychédélique, fragmenté et autobiographique, qui raconte son expérience d'une fête à Londres en compagnie des Beatles. Le titre, une insulte de Liverpool, fut censuré au Royaume-Uni où il sortit sous le nom de "Alternate Title". C'est la preuve que les Monkees étaient capables d'une ambition et d'une originalité qui leur étaient propres. Au final ce sera un 3 sur 5 pour album profondément inégal où pour chaque "Shades of Gray", une ballade baroque et mélancolique magnifiquement arrangée, on trouve un "Forget That Girl" ou un "I Can't Get Her Off My Mind", des chansons pop plus légères signées Davy Jones qui, bien que charmantes, semblent appartenir à une époque antérieure du groupe. La production, assurée par Chip Douglas (ancien bassiste des Turtles), est volontairement brute mais manque parfois de profondeur. C'est un album de transition, où le groupe apprend encore à marcher seul. On sent les coutures, les hésitations. C'est le prix de la liberté : tout n'est pas parfait. En conclusion, "Headquarters" n'est pas à juger sur sa perfection technique, mais sur son intention et son esprit. Il s'agit d'un document historique fascinant, le témoignage d'une victoire improbable de l'intégrité artistique sur le cynisme commercial. Sgt. Pepper est peut-être l'album que l'on admire dans un musée, derrière une vitre, en louant son génie technique. "Headquarters" est l'album que l'on écoute en voiture, fenêtres ouvertes, en célébrant son énergie brute et sa triomphale humanité. Il est la preuve qu'un groupe "fabriqué" pouvait avoir une âme, et qu'ils se sont battus pour nous la faire entendre. Rien que pour ce courage, il mérite d'être réécouté et respecté. Un bon album, oui, mais surtout un album nécessaire.

okay, i’m interested…

syyttä vihaavay immeiset tätä.. on industrialia on acapellaa. Lalalaa! Laulattaa kuunteleminen

pleasant enough

A bit too poppy for my liking but I'm happy that the Monkees were able to start writing and performing their own songs. Can't say that I'm surprised that this album ended up sitting behind Sgt. Pepper in the charts through its release window.

A good poppy mix; but forgettable.

It's ok. Like the weird stuff and randy scouse git - hilarious that it did well in the UK.

Too long. 7/10

Decent 60s rock. I’m sure this was influential but I just feel like I’ve heard this so many times already on this list. You Just May Be the One and Randy Scouse Git were my faves.

Quintessential mid-60s pop. Very vanilla though. Surprised this album made it since none of the big hits are on it.

I prefer the songs Neil Diamond wrote for them. totally ok british pop-rock from this time but I'd obviously prefer the Beatles any day.

It's quite pleasant, but so much of it is just really bland. Listenable, but really quite uninspiring.

All I know about the Monkee’s is the tv show, so going in I was expecting something campy. I was pleasantly surprised with the album I heard. I particularly enjoyed Band 6, Sunny Girlfriend, and No Time.

Uneven, but many (sixties-style) pop gems.

It had its moments for sure. I like “Randy Scouse Git.”

Classic 60s bubblegum pop. I don’t care that they were concocted as America’s answer to the Beatles. I preferred them, they weren't so pretentious as John and co became. Just fun and Randy Scouse Git is tops. 3

This was an odd Monkees album, I was not familiar with any of the songs going in to it, and many I wouldn't have known it was them. Not sure if that is because of their greater influence and participation on this album or not. There are some decent songs here but there are also some really bad ones. I've never really been much of a fan of their music although I used to watch the tv show occasionally, I loved the episode where Frank Zappa played Mike and Mike played Frank. Not one I am likely to ever revisit but I have definitely been served up worse from this list.

Decent little mid 60's record. The Monkees were actually a decent group. This sounds like Rubber Soul outtakes.

i love the monkees but this album doesn't have anything I remember.

Very similar sounding to the beatles

Not the album of theirs that should have been chosen for this list. Just ok, not great. Should have been More of The Monkees.

Feels middle of the road. Nothing notable but all perfectly easy listening to my ears. Definitely notable that they took more control over the songwriting and instrumentation vs the first two albums where it was more professional songwriters and session musicians playing in support of the TV show. They went from a fake TV band to an actual real band on this album.

Bit dated but not horrible.

Headquarters by The Monkees feels like a very average Beatles album—it’s pleasant and easy to listen to, but nothing truly stands out or leaves a lasting impression. Released in 1967, it came at a time when The Beatles had already moved beyond this style of pop and were entering their more experimental Sgt. Pepper era. As a result, Headquarters sounds somewhat dated, almost like a parody or throwback to an earlier Beatles sound, rather than something fresh or forward-thinking. Favourite Track: You Just May Be the One – a catchy, well-crafted song that rises slightly above the rest of the tracklist. Least Favourite Track: None stood out as particularly bad, but many blended together without much distinction. Album Artwork: Classic '60s—simple, light-hearted, and very much of its time.

Fairly bland album, nothing really stands out. But it was pleasant background music at work.

Long album, Beatles vibe. Guys sound good on real tracks. Some throw away ones hear as well. 6.8/10

wasn’t totally my thing, it’s very dated, but it was a good listen and i enjoyed every song!

Strange choice for a Monkees album. Not a hit single in sight, but it is the catchy 60s pop they were known for.

Good music. Terrible cover art.

A little early for a Beatles homage. Love the Monkees, but their first outing with their own songs leaves a little to be desired.

Well, I wanted to love it, I found it to be a bit kitchy.

I've often heard The Monkees described as a lite version of The Beatles, which is kind of rude, but also that description does fit here. This is a charming album of short pop songs, a bunch of which sound like The Beatles, as well as other 60s pop and rock 'n' roll styles. “Shades of Gray” is a touching song. It’s an elegy to a simpler time, when right and wrong were easier to distinguish, and when life seemed easier. Someone could be singing it in 2025, but I can imagine that 1967 felt a similar way. Also, I tend to think that maybe everyone feels this way as they get older: life was simple when we were young, and now it’s miserable and complicated. Is that universal regardless of time period? The psychedelic “Early Morning Blues and Greens” was a highlight too. “Randy Scouse Git” was a surprise. At first it sounds a lot like a Beatles knockoff but then that angry, thundering chorus comes in!

Nice album, but I always hear the Beatles - or an attempt at that sound when I hear The Monkees. It's a harsh comparison, and I find it interesting because the Beatles are probably the best band ever, so why wouldn't other bands try to do exactly their sound? There are far worse bands being copied every day of the week, but when I hear this band it's so hard for me to separate them. Going through this, I think "I like the sound, but I'm just not moved by it", and I wonder if this band would be popular if they didn't come out when they did. Or are they kind of like the Greta Van Fleet to Led Zeppelin?

I liked this music more than I had imagined I would. It's still very lightweight and if the Monkees were trying to prove they could make decent 60's pop music than I think they succeeded. The best songs were: You Told Me Forget that Girl You May Just be the One Shades of Gray For Pete's Sake Early Morning Blues and Greens

The one time The Monkees had enough of their controlling managers and restrictive contracts and wanted to make an album of their own, and the end result wasn't bad at all - it's a nice little pop album albeit with no big hits. The problem is that this was released in 1967 where dozens of brilliant albums were made which shaped the future of pop-rock music and this album is far away from those records. Props to them for making an album of their own, though. Not many hit makers would've done that after two albums that were written for them and made them famous and rich. I actually enjoyed it, so overall I think it deserves 3 stars.

Meh, it was alright, nothing too interesting

Mehh