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Post by oh oooh on Jan 14, 2021 14:18:54 GMT
I've never quite understood the way fans focus on Headquarters as much as they do. Yeah, they played on it, they wrote some of the songs, whatever. There are a couple of good things there but I think the next three albums are much stronger. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. is probably my favourite of the lot. It doesn't start particularly well, with the slight 'Salesman' and 'She Hangs Out', but 'Cuddly Toy' is pop perfection. I don't know why, but I find that film kind of moving. There's no 'irony', it's a bit of a throwback, it totally works. And yeah, the lyrics don't do them (actually HIM - Harry Nilsson) any favours, but musically...I love the additional note in the third chord in the verse. what WAS it with that weird Davy Jones wriggly dance? it's such an odd thing to watch!The second side features some of the best stuff they ever did. I love the random use of Moog squirts in the middle of 'Star Collector', and the way they used the new toy a bit more seriously (as you can see!) in this absolute stormer: and Mike Nesmith wrote it! thankfully reigning in the fiddles and banjos FOR A FUCKING CHANGE... And on the same side you've got 'What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?' and the majestic 'Pleasant Valley Sunday'. Would you honestly rather listen to The Byrds? I'll be back!
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Post by Charlie O. on Jan 14, 2021 17:53:58 GMT
Pisces is my favorite, too.
I like the "Cuddly Toy" lyric; I can understand why you don't, but I like the way it isn't what it immediately seems: the chirpy music and first few lines - and the fact that it's Davy singing it - lead you to believe that it's a song of sympathetic consolation, then you realize it's a bit crueler than that.
"The Door Into Summer"/"Love Is Only Sleeping" is the kind of one-two punch that could carry a whole album - or at least a whole side. Only it doesn't have to.
It really is a great album!
Headquarters was my favorite growing up, and is still in my top 3. You could very reasonably argue that they weren't ready to take over from the studio musicians, but... there's something really satisfying about hearing them just go for it. And unlike the previous two albums (and most of the later ones), there aren't really any weak songs - that helps a lot.
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Sneelock
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Post by Sneelock on Jan 14, 2021 18:06:19 GMT
I love the Monkees but I don't think they made a great album. there, I said it. I feel so much better.
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Post by Sneelock on Jan 14, 2021 18:08:19 GMT
IMO "Pisces etc.." & "Headquarters" are easily their best. "Head" has some neat weird stuff. the "greatest hits" are brimming with great tunes. those Rhino collectible things have some neat tracks.
but a great album? great like "Are You Experienced" or something? not even close. Instead of improving, by "the Birds, the Bees.." it seemed like they were already running out of gas.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2021 18:21:51 GMT
Very good album -I've got it on vinyl, but there are at least two superior Byrds albums of course.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2021 18:25:38 GMT
Cuddly Toy is an odd track to highlight though, it's pretty flimsy.
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Post by oh oooh on Jan 14, 2021 18:27:54 GMT
IMO "Pisces etc.." & "Headquarters" are easily their best. "Head" has some neat weird stuff 😮😮😮 'neat weird stuff'?!? what, like 'Porpoise Song'? 'As We Go Along'? 'Daddy's Song'? 'Circle Sky'?!?
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Post by oh oooh on Jan 14, 2021 18:29:19 GMT
Cuddly Toy is an odd track to highlight though, it's pretty flimsy. GET STUFFED G
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2021 18:35:20 GMT
Cuddly Toy is an odd track to highlight though, it's pretty flimsy. GET STUFFED G You must control these angry outbursts when I have temerity to disagree with a musical choice!
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Post by Sneelock on Jan 14, 2021 18:37:40 GMT
IMO "Pisces etc.." & "Headquarters" are easily their best. "Head" has some neat weird stuff 😮😮😮 'neat weird stuff'?!? what, like 'Porpoise Song'? 'As We Go Along'? 'Daddy's Song'? 'Circle Sky'?!? No! The Weird stuff - like “supplico” & “dandruff” i like porpoise & circle. I turn my back on the others like Miles on Horse.
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Post by oh oooh on Jan 14, 2021 18:44:09 GMT
😮😮😮 'neat weird stuff'?!? what, like 'Porpoise Song'? 'As We Go Along'? 'Daddy's Song'? 'Circle Sky'?!? No! The Weird stuff - like “supplico” & “dandruff” i like porpoise & circle. I turn my back on the others like Miles on Horse. But your summary neglected to mention the gems on Head! it's their best album if you only look at those, I think. But there aren't many there
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Post by Sneelock on Jan 14, 2021 18:54:11 GMT
I used to say it was my favorite Monkees album until I got tired of people looking at me funny. I guess I made my peace with not really having a favorite Monkees album. they've sure bonus tracked the fuck out of it but I'd still hesitate to call it a good album let alone a great one.
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Post by toomanyhatz on Jan 14, 2021 19:27:57 GMT
I'd probably go along with Pisces being the best, but I'd say other than some of the Davy songs (almost always a qualification), Headquarters is pretty great too.
I'm with Snee, also - they never made a wholly satisfying album. PAC&J probably comes about the closest.
As a series of songs, I'd go with Head. Were there less excerpts of dialogue - or shorter ones, at least, and maybe another song or two - that one would go directly to the head of the class.
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Post by Charlie O. on Jan 14, 2021 19:39:23 GMT
Sure I wish there was another song or two, but I love the dialogue collages on Head - very Lumpy Gravy.
The Critic: "The song was pretty white." Mike: "And I'll tell you something else, too: the same thing goes for Christmas!"
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Post by Sneelock on Jan 14, 2021 19:44:00 GMT
I love that stuff. superstitious? perhaps. baloney? perhaps not!
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