The Monkees - The Monkees - Greatest Hits
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Free Music Notes for The Monkees - Greatest Hits
Free Music Review: What I was looking for
Hit: 5 Stars
Been ripped of to many times in chain stores selling what looks like music from the original artist. It hasn't happened at Amazon.Free Music Review: Monkees for Beginners
Hit: 4 Stars
Younger listeners unfamiliar with the Prefab Four should check out this Rhino compilation. "Greatest Hits" leaves no stone unturned in regard to Top 10 singles. The most-famous Monkee tracks - "Last Train to Clarksville," "I'm a Believer," "Randy Scouse Git," "Pleasant Valley Sunday," "Listen to the Band" and the remarkable "Goin' Down" - represent 1960s popular music at its finest. In all seriousness, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should give Micky, Davy, Mike and Peter their due. Docked one star for a pair of sappy, nonhit ballads: "I Wanna Be Free" and "It's Nice to Be With You."Free Music Review: Welcome to the Monkee House (in memory of Kurt Vonnegut)
Hit: 4 Stars
People, my guides transported me back to the 1800's whereby I met Charles Darwin and, over tea, he confided to me that this group, single-handedly, disproved his famous theory. He said it with a chuckle though. Oh. I see your scowls and thinking all this is impossible. No matter. With a Seer's wisdom I found out years ago that time is not linear and that, in fact, imagination has no boundaries. So naysay if you want. I will go on with pleasant memories of meeting Darwin (except wearing those Victorian clothes that were heavily starched and uncomfortable).
But, let's forget this chit-chat and discuss the Monkees. Some time ago I was sitting in a laudramat (yes, Seer's wash clothes-unfortunately), and "Last Train to Clarksville" came over the sound system. I remember thinking what a great example of 60's pop this song was. The riff was catchy, memorable and, if you listen close, the cymbals create that train hiss waiting to leave the station. How appropriately clever. No wonder this was a big hit for them.
Regardless of your own take on the Monkees, they did produce alot of mid-sixties tunes that were not bad. Not bad at all. And even if they were brought together by the California illusion machine and couldn't play their own instruments, that is not enough to make you not enjoy all this. Sure, the concept of the show was certainly inspired by the Beatle's movie "A Hard Day's Night" and the quick action shots. But, the Monkee's producers, I feel, overdid the craziness, the inanity, and the foolish many times throughout the show's run. However, it was entertainment and alot of great fun.
Of course, you cannot sell a fabricated group like this without some substance and the Monkees met expectations in spades. They had professional musicians as a backdrop, had talented songwriters (Neil Diamond,Boyce-Hart, Goffin-King) contribute wonderful tunes. And, the icing on the cake is that they could all sing - and very well at that. This was not shabby at all and incredibly successful.
Now, I avoid getting overly analytical here. There are no mystical answers to the Universe offered. There are no puzzles or answers that you must stress your weary mind to think about. This is just good mid-sixties pop that was enjoyable. Nothing more, nothing less. And, let's be honest, we all need this from time to time just to give some balance to the world. I like fun. I hope you do too.
Of course, all the goodies are included here; "Clarksville", "I'm a Believer","Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Daydream Believer" etc. etc. For the most part this c.d. is glorious. However, in their career, the Monkees tried to adapt to the psychedelic vibe of the time with the "Porpoise Song", which I think is a stilted attempt at best. From there, the tunes fail to impress. However, we still have those earlier gems at least.
I realize that I may get criticized soundly for this review. After all, it it a far cry from my reknown, over-analytical (and sometimes pompous-but don't tell) reviews of late. No matter. I don't care. As Darwin quipped to me, "I am having more fun than a barrel full of Monkeys watching people respond to my theory". So am I dear people. So am I.
Escaping from the zoo-----your own, beloved--Metamorpho
Free Music Review: Fantastic Band
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a band who hit it big in the 60's with some massive hits.Their TV series was very popular,and they seemed to do no wrong earlier in their careers.But a combination of things lead to this groups downfall.Changing times was one of them,and people found out the did not play their own instruments on the recordings.These days thats common,and even back then alot of bands had outside help to make their albums.But they struggled to produce the hits after a while,their show ended,band members left till there was only 2 left.
But in those years some excellent songs were made.The Monkees Theme,Last Train To Clarksville,I'm A Believer,(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone,A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You,,Pleasant Valley Sunday,Daydream Believer,as well as many other hits on this cd.Another song i like which is not here called Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow is a favorite of mine.
They had some great songwriters helping them such as Neil Diamond and the Boyce and Heart team.They also had writing credits to alot of songs of their own.This group was one of the best 60's bands.
Free Music Review: Don't MONKEE with a good thing
Hit: 4 Stars
RHINO records THE MONKEES GREATEST HITS is a puzzling collection of 20 songs. The album is loaded with non-hit B-sides and filler like "The Girl I Knew Somewhere," "Randy Scouse Git," "Mary Mary," "It's Nice To Be With You," "Goin' Down," and "Listen To The Band." There's also soundtrack material here ("Porpoise Song") as well as post-Monkees tracks, like "That Was Then, This Is Now" and "Heart And Soul." NONE of these nine tunes ever got exposure on American Top 40 radio. So half of this "Greatest Hits" is what? SHOULDA BEEN and NEVER COULDA BEEN Greatest Hits, perhaps.
Although the rare "D.W. Washburn" is included, a legitimate single that was heard quite a bit in 1968 ("Tapioca Tundra") is conspicuously absent. There's no logic to this song assembly. The 16 page liner note booklet is quite thorough and nicely done-- it has some great photos, recording date info as well as history for each song. It is in these details that we discover "Randy Scouse Git" got airplay in Britain, and "Mary Mary" was popular in Australia. Ah... "Greatest INTERNATIONAL Hits," then.
The four-star rating in spite of criticisms is because this reviewer been a fan since Day One, and definitely will remain so. The Monkees were always fun, both on TV and the radio, and not even an ill-conceived "Hits" package can ruin that.
TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 59:01