Which Monkees Album Is Their Masterpiece?

Some of my favorite songs are on this album. But "Birds/Bees" is a really good example when I say some of the later albums don't really "gel" when listening all the way through. "Headquarters" and "Pisces" sound like the work of one group. "Birds/Bees" doesn't.

 

I actually like the 'Davy songs' on 'Pisces'... Well, 'Hard to Believe' is a bit on the iffy side, but the others are decent to my ears: Much better than what's on the follow-up album...

 

Headquarters
But especially .. PAC&J, Ltd.

 

The Birds the Bees and the Monkees is my favorite

 

Pisces is the best for the songs and overall production. It’s cohesive and classy, and has a great sleeve.

I’m surprised there’s limited love for Instant Replay. Even with only two Nesmith tracks I really enjoy it. It flows nicely and Davy’s five songs are fine and I’m by no means a big fan of his music. The album has a nice cover and I’ve never had a problem with Shorty Blackwell in 50+ years. Teardrop City is the fly in the ointment but I’ve mellowed with that over the years.

 

The first two albums are underrated, the essence of The Monkees. Head“ I used to rate, but it’s just got the Goffin -King Song.

 

PAC&J.
What’s the best sounding original vinyl.
USA’s Colgems or UKs RCA?

 

I voted for everything between Headquarters and Instant Replay. Personally, I'd say their masterpiece is Head because how of ambitious and unorthodox it was for them.

 

Album covers - Top 3

PAC&J
Birds and Bees
Instant Replay

Music / albums Top 3

PAC&J
More The Monkees
The Monkees

 

No masterpiece but the best one would be either Monkees or More Of The Monkees.

 

That's kind of like asking which Chipmunks album is their masterpiece.

 

My vote would be this underrated classic

 

Is there a Monkees album by album thread?

if not ..shouldn’t there be one ?

 

Shouldn’t this be in a Beatles thread ?

 

The King-Stern song is the standout one for me!

Yes, here you go.

Rate and Review the songs of The Monkees Thread

 

Prefer those wiki like Album by Album threads myself, they pan out better, more informative.

 

I went with PAC&J, but Head would have taken the prize if it were an entire album of songs of equal strength. As it is, it's basically a very strong EP, padded out to (barely) LP length with sound collages from the film. It's another example of the Monkees following in the Beatles' footsteps: an inscrutable film with a better soundtrack than it deserves.

PAC&J is not a perfect album, but it benefits from creative control and allowing all interested band members to play. The band hadn't yet destabilized and begun spinning off in disparate directions.