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Peter: This time we’re doing Headquarters, by The Monkees! Are you psyched? Are you pumped? Are you primed?

Tyler: I’m fired up.  In a lather.  Ready to shimmy!

Peter: This could be the big one. People are thirsty for Monkees content.

Are you a fan of The Monkees?

Tyler: I know none of their catalog.  I mean, there’s “Daydream Believer” and that’s great.  Beyond that, though, I’ve never taken a listen.  How about you?

Peter: I am not a Monkees superfan. I am not a Monkees historian. I do happen to know a lot about The Monkees because my son got really into them when he was young and we listened to a lot of Monkees music. Like, a lot.

Full disclosure, the reason he got into them is because I had a few of their albums on CD. So I was a fan. A little bit anyway.

I assume most people are somewhat familiar with the story of The Monkees. They were cast as the members of a band for a show, but they also released albums, which were mostly made by session musicians with the Monkees providing vocals. So, there’s always been a debate about whether they were a “real band.”

Tyler: I’m familiar with that ol’ battle.  What a tall order for a set of singers.  Be the American Beatles, basically—or, more like, be the live-action version of those cartoon Beatles that predate Yellow Submarine.  All charm and antics, no?  Stop me if I’m off-base here.

Peter: No, that’s right. They were hired to be a kooky Beatlesque band on TV. The “pre-fab four” was the joke at the time.

The producers weren’t looking to create a real band when they cast the show, but both Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith were musicians by trade. And Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones were both veterans of musical theater. They Frankenstein’s Monstered a real rock and roll band. They Frankenstein Monstered’s a real rock and roll band?

Tyler: Let’s ask ChatGPT!

Let’s not.

Peter: The guys, particularly Mike and Peter, bristled at their lack of input, and after the first season of the show (and two very successful albums), the band rebelled against the producers and demanded creative control. Mike Nesmith punched a hole in the wall and told the producers, “That could have been your face!” Which, frankly, seems toxic, in today’s climate. But, anyway, they got to record an album where they, along with their producer Chip Douglas (from the Turtles), played all the instruments. It was their chance to prove themselves as a “real band.”

Tyler: “That could have been your face!” Incredible.

Peter: RIP Mike Nesmith.

His mom invented liquid paper.

Tyler: I’ll be damned.  That’s a pretty solid legacy right there.

The liquid paper thing, I should clarify.  Not Nesmith’s wild wall-decking.

Peter: He was very wealthy because of her.

Tyler: It was plenty ballsy of them to put their feet down so firmly.

Peter: Mike had already released a single or two before he was a Monkee. And Peter Tork was on the music scene in LA. He was good friends with David Crosby and Stephen Stills.

He introduced Buffalo Springfield at Monterey Pop.

Anyway, let’s get into it. Let’s cut it up. They kick things off with “You Told Me.”

Tyler: Good song, performed well.  I was immediately surprised.  I don’t know exactly what I expected, but it was not: capable, likable British Invasion jangle-pop.

The production keeps things tight, and—if they really are playing their instruments—the musicianship is top-notch.

I suppose it’s top-notch either way.  You get what I’m saying.

Peter: Yeah, it’s good. Mike wrote this. I think they picked it to kick things off to showcase Peter’s banjo. Tork could play multiple instruments, and here he’s on the banjo. It sounds good!

Tyler: Love the banjo here.

Did Dolenz or Jones play any instruments?

Peter: So, when they cast the show they assigned instruments without regard for any experience or expertise. They put Peter on bass, Micky on drums, Mike on guitar, and Davy on tambourine. What they play on this album varies. Here, Micky is on drums, Mike is on guitar, Peter’s on banjo, Davy’s on tambourine, and their producer Chip is playing the bass.

Tyler: Color me impressed.  It all sounds good.

Peter: Agreed. It’s a good start. Next up is “I’ll Spend My Life With You.”

Tyler: Another likable tune.

Peter: Agreed. Micky’s on vocals here. He has a great voice.

Tyler: They’re really gunning for that middle-era Beatles sound, Help! and Rubber Soul especially.

Peter: Yeah, but into Revolver too, in spots.

Tyler: This is good stuff!  It’s not world-changing, but few things are.

“Forget That Girl,” track three, is a breezy confection that keeps up the pace.  They start Headquarters with a real roll.

Peter: It shouldn’t be this good!

Tyler: Hell no it shouldn’t.  I figured this might be a sloppy aside of an LP.  I thought wrong.

Peter: I don’t always love Davy songs, but this one is fun. It’s vaguely Bacharachian?

Tyler: It does have a Bacharach air to it.

Chip Douglas had no qualms taking these guys seriously, it’s clear. That paid off!

“Band 6,” our next track, is just some silliness.

Peter: This sounds like them goofing around in the studio. No harm done. It flies by.

Tyler: I’m with you.  A little casual color.

Peter: This album really clips along.

Tyler: Yeah it does.  All the songs are in miniature.

Peter: The next song is another by Nez. “You Just May Be The One.”

Tyler: It’s got a nice trot going.  As with the others, I’m not offended and am gently pleased.

Peter: It’s another winner. Mike is the most prolific Monkee (he wrote “Different Drum” for Linda Ronstadt).

I’m realizing I sound like a Monkees super-fan.

Maybe I am?

Tyler: You are bursting with Monkee knowledge.

Peter: First Bill Wyman and now this.

Remember when I realized I was a secret Bill Wyman fan?

Tyler: Ah yes!  Wyman and The Monkees.  Quite a pair.

Peter: Next up is “Shades of Gray.”

Peter sings on this a little, which is a rarity.

Tyler: It’s a thoughtful little tune.  I dig the lush sound of it.

Peter: Yeah, there’s some cello and a nice French horn bit on it.

It’s a minor fan favorite. I like it. Thumbs up.

Side one ends with “I Can’t Get Her Off Of My Mind.” I don’t like this song.

Tyler: It’s a jaunty one.  You can certainly say that.

It’s just this side of being a novelty track.

Peter: Yeah. This is another Davy song. His voice is suited to this sort of stuff, so there’s at least one like this on every album. It gets old.

Tyler: Your son like this one?

Peter: That’s a good question! I’m not sure. He does like some Davy songs.

Halfway through! Seems like you’re liking it so far?

Tyler: I really am.  Much to my pleasant surprise.

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