5 underrated Monkees records

As I suggested in my review of Eric Lefcowitz's biography, much of the Monkees' more interesting output emerged once creative control had been seized from Don Kirshner. While quality levels varied across the albums of the late 1960's and there was no consistent sound due to the variety of influences, they did produce a number of excellent records that did not receive the recognition of their earlier efforts. Here are five that deserve further examination:

While I Cry

A Mike Nesmith song from 1969's 'Instant Replay', 'While I Cry' gave an indication of the country direction its author would head in once he had left the band. Simple lyric, lovely harmonies, gentle melody. Ace, and maybe my favourite Monkees record.

 
As We Go Along
To suggest seizing the power over their music meant that there was no outside creativity employed by the band would be misleading, it was merely done on their terms. Carole King and Toni Stern's 'As We Go Along' was used as a B side to 'Porpoise Song (also co written by King), both songs forming part of the soundtrack to 'Head', the Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson movie that interests and confuses in equal measure. Featuring Ry Cooder, Neil Young and King herself on guitar, it is one of Micky Dolenz's best vocals.

 

You and I

A rare Davy Jones writing credit again featuring Neil Young on guitar, hence a heavier sound not too dissimilar from Buffalo Springfield. The reflective lyrics give an indication of Jones' acknowledgement that perhaps the band's time had begun to pass:

"In a year or maybe two,
We'll be gone and someone new will take our place,
There'll be another song,
Another voice, another pretty face"

 

Daily Nightly

A Nesmith composition that was one of the first records to employ the Moog Synthesizer. From the 'Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones' album (1967), the psychedelic sound is a clear nod to the music being made by both the Beatles and the Stones around this time.

Circle Sky
Another from the Head soundtrack complete with driving bassline and a more aggressive than normal Nesmith vocal. The footage is taken from the movie and the naked anti-war element of this section no doubt provides further evidence as to why the film sank without trace at the time. $165616