Brother Spoon wrote:People love the 4th album, I've noticed. That's why I'm kinda surprised it didn't do more for me, but that's how it goes. Maybe next time.
Like you said, Pisces... has that feeling of being well-considered, and there certainly are a number of very good songs on it. It feels the most solid. I personally don't love it as much as The Birds, The Bees... though.
Brother Spoon wrote:Side 1
1."Dream World" (David Jones/Steve Pitts)
2."Auntie’s Municipal Court" (Michael Nesmith/Keith Allison)
3."We Were Made for Each Other" (Carole Bayer/George Fischoff)
4."Tapioca Tundra" (Michael Nesmith)
5."Daydream Believer" (John Stewart)
6."Writing Wrongs" (Michael Nesmith)
This on the other hand, I really really enjoy. Starts off with my least favorite track but also a song that sums up what follows, it's dreamy, trippy stuff, and 'Dream world' is still too much like the real world to convince. But after that...
The 3 Nesmith tracks make the mood: they sort of hum along, and then veer off the beaten path. These Monkees are getting weirder. 'Writing wrongs' is probably my favorite, but only cause it's the longest, and I could listen to this stuff for a while - it stretches time. Is it me or are these record sides getting pretty long?
Sir John Coan wrote:Oh man, 'Dream World' is one of my very favourite Monkees' tracks! I'm surprised you don't like it.
I have to go with John here. God, this one gets to me. And more and more so, over the years. What I like about it is partially that it's a guy telling somebody to get real, but the song is liberally slathered with these fantastic orchestrations which are anything but "real". It's almost saccharine (as all Davy Jones songs are) but somehow the sterlingness of the song keeps it good. The horn chords in the verses, which almost bless each line of the lyric, are sooo good.
I love this side throughout, with the exception of "We Were Made for Each Other". "Tapioca Tundra" is surreal, but has such a great set of chords and a great moving feel. "Writing Wrongs" is madness. "Daydream Believer" is some kind of desert island track for me.
Brother Spoon wrote:Side 2
1."I'll Be Back Up On My Feet" (Sandy Linzer/Denny Randell)
2."The Poster" (David Jones/Steve Pitts)
3."P.O. Box 9847" (Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart)
4."Magnolia Simms" (Michael Nesmith/Charles Rockett)
5."Valleri" (Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart)
6."Zor and Zam" (Bill Chadwick/John Chadwick)
This and 'Headquarters' could well turn out my favorites in the end.
I would agree with that.
Brother Spoon wrote:Goes on right where side one left off with weirdness like 'PO Box 9847' and 'Magnolia simms', but has a strong pop feel too (I'll be back up on my feet' and especially 'Valleri', finally a mutation of the Satisfation riff that goes somewhere unexpected). It's more scattershot than side 1, there's no strong overall mood, but it must be fun to listen to the whole record in one sitting.
'Zor and Zam' and 'The poster', well, every record needs its problem areas. They're easy to overlook. 'Zor and Zam' has...something appealing somewhere - if only for its headscratchiness.
I agree it's a strong side. I like those two tracks though. "Zor and Zam" at the end of the album leaves you in the weirdest place. Despite a (probably even then) dated counterculture message, it still a great production, and Micky in Grace Slick mode is incredibly powerful. He's easily one of the most powerful singers of the '60s. He can be corny and facile, but he just hits a nerve sometimes.
"Valleri" is genius!
There was an earlier version which actually appeared on the show ...
But I like the remake better. Those ripping lead guitar breaks are great.