The Monkees,Headquarters

My copy of Headquarters

When the band broke free of greedy manager Don Kirchner,they set off to what I consider the greatest album of all time. Part of the Monkees huge poplarity is hitting the scene when the Beatles were now in relationships breaking the hearts of their many fans,Davy Jones would become the top teen idol of all time and was on almost every cover of Teen Beat magazine,and having hundreds of fan clubs that still go strong today after his death.

The Monkees who are hated by many but once outsold The Beatles and Rolling Stones combined,were typecast as a bubblegum band I fail to understand,this status was a result of their second album ''More of the Monkees'' that  though isn't bad,is my least favorite,the cover looking like an ad for J.C. Penny. Headquarters though no Sgt Pepper is better in many ways,the songs are more personable,and Mike Nesmith's contributions are unforgettable masterpieces.Below Micky smoking a ''little help from his friend,lol'' Micky and Peter both smoked weed and dropped acid.

Headquarters recorded in 1967 was produced by Chip Douglas who Nez had approached a few months earlier,Kirchner was fired for releasing a Monkees single that went against his contract..

The album opens with You Told Me, a Nez penned swipe of The Beatles Taxman,with Peter flaying wildly on amphetamine driven banjo that was encouraged by George Harrison,Micky's drumming though a bit off beat fills this song wonderfully. Below,Early Morning Blues and Greens,one of Davy's best songs as a Monkee with haunting lyrics and beautiful guitar opening

Next,Micky offers I'll spend my life with you following Davy's Forget that Girl.

Band 6 is a mockery of hey,were playing the best we can,just bear with us,lol.

Mike then offers ''You just may be the one'',an absolutely gorgeous love song,and one of the albums best!.
Side 2 starts with Peter's own ''For Pete's sake,a gorgeous coming of age song that was used as the closing song in the TV series second season,nothing bubble gum about this. Mr. Webster is an audacious song with a rather ambiguous ending,did he close the door and commit suicide? Below,Going Down,another song about suicide co written by Micky with superb saxophone,notice the musician is hooded in this video.This went on to become Lou Reed's alltime favorite song,was released as a single,and is found as an extra on the Rhino CD release,but not the Sundazed vinyl

Below is the video ''For Pete's Sake'',Written by Peter himself,the true anthem of the Summer Of Love in my opinion.Released before The Beatles ''All you need is Love'' contains lyrics we all can learn from,Peter practiced what he preached,was a generous man who would never turn a deaf ear to a friend in need.

Next,Sunny Girlfriend,a gorgeous Nez penned rocker that you''ll never forget.
Zilch is the band clowning around between takes.

Randy Scouse Git is the albums closer,a song Micky wrote while visiting The Beatles in England where he met Samantha Juste I believe he refers too as Wonder Girl in the song. The song was actually banned in England,ironic as it payed homage to the U.K. Below,the being known as Wondergirl Samantha Juste with Micky who would go on to be married .RSG was Peter Torks favorite Monkee song.

Headquarters is available from Sundazed Music with 2 outakes,the list price is $18.99 and worth every penny.