THE MONKEES

Created to perform roles in a television series, the Monkees were greeted with scepticism by certain sections of the rock fraternity. The quartet may not have played the instruments on their debut album, but this does not diminish the appeal of its content. Excellent songs by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart formed its core, while contributions by Carole King, David Gates and group member Mike Nesmith ensure that the quality remains consistently high. Mickey Dolenz possesses the ideal pop voice and the enthusiasm generated on each performance is completely captivating. The Monkees' grasp of teen angst and melodrama is sure and, now divorced from contemporary travails, this album stands as one of the era's most entertaining debuts.

The Monkees - Greatest Hits

Unless you're a snob, a good Monkees collection belongs on your shelves, not too far from discs by the Turtles, the Lovin' Spoonful, and other avatars of clean, occasionally rocking '60s Top 40 pop. Greatest Hits is a more than generous stack, bringing together not only the obvious megahits ("I'm a Believer," "Pleasant Valley Sunday," the incredibly propulsive "Valleri") but also a number of tunes that had the bad luck to fall on the wrong side of the act's swift rise and fall. Foremost among these is "Porpoise Song," a lyrically incomprehensible Goffin/King stab at psychedelia that's at once a crass cash-in and one of the loveliest, most fragile sounds to emerge from the American hippie dream. --Rickey Wright

I'm a Believer: the Best of the Monkees

Excellent 2007 two CD anthology from the '60s Pop/Rock legends featuring Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith. Although they were put together for the sake of a TV show, The Monkees were one of the most successful bands in the world during their mid-'60s heyday. This 36 song collection features hits and album tracks, proving to be a wonderful introduction to the band. Includes 'Last Train To Clarksville', 'I'm A Believer', 'For Pete's Sake', 'Daydream Believer', 'Pleasant Valley Sunday' and many others. Music Club

HEAD   DVD

It's a head trip, man! Director Bob Rafelson's feature film debut is based on the hit television show THE MONKEES, which Rafelson created and produced (along with Bert Schneider). Like the TV show, HEAD follows the adventures of the fictitious pop band the Monkees--four goofy, mop-topped young rockers who look suspiciously like the Beatles. Written by Rafelson and actor Jack Nicholson, the film rejects plot in favour of a psychedelic trip through a series of parodies of every major film genre, including the Western, the musical, and the war film. These stylized romps are inter cut with various surreal scenes, such as the classic sequence where the Monkees are sucked up through a giant vacuum cleaner and then spewed out as bits of dandruff in Victor Mature's hair. Also thrown into the bizarre mix are clips of television commercials, classic movies, and documentary footage from Vietnam. The result is an avant-garde, kaleidoscopic collage, peppered with Monkees songs such as "Circle Sky," "Porpoise Song," and "Daddy's Song."

Monkee Business: The Revolutionary Made-For-TV Band

The Monkees had everything-a popular TV show, hit records, and adoring fans. Everything  but control over their careers. Author Eric Lefcowitz chronicles the kaleidoscopic journey of Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, following each of the four Monkees, together and apart, from 1965 to the present day. A must-read for music fans, Monkee Business is the definitive biography of a rock and roll legend.