Top Artists – The Monkees

The Monkees – Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd.

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  • A 1967 Colgems Stereo pressing with KILLER Shootout Winning Triple Plus (A+++) sound or close to it from start to finish
  • Here are just a few of the things we had to say about this stunning copy in our notes: “big and lively”…”rich, note-like bass”…”vox very full and detailed”…”jumping out [of the speakers]”….”rich and present and relaxed”
  • These two sides are exceptionally (for this album) smooth, rich, sweet, and clear – and the vinyl is very quiet for a Monkees album, about as quiet as we can ever hope to find it
  • 4 1/2 stars: “To think that both this album and Headquarters came out the same year! Most bands would be lucky to have two albums this good come out their entire career. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. is a must-have for any fan of smart, fun, and exciting 60s pop. It doesn’t get much better than this.”

One of the problems holding us back from discovering the best sounding pressings of The Monkees’ albums is the fact that 90+% of the copies we come across are beat to death. The average Rolling Stones record from the ’60s is in better shape.

We will, of course, keep looking, but it’s highly doubtful that any copy of the first two albums — you know, the ones that were at the top of the charts for so long they outsold The Beatles in 1967 — will ever make it to the site. Doubtful, but hope springs eternal in the record biz. You never know what gems you’ll discover until they somehow find themselves on your turntable.

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The Monkees / More of The Monkees – Actually Sounding Pretty Good

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  • Both sides of this copy have outstanding sound for the band’s sophomore LP, earning solid Double Plus (A++) grades or BETTER – exceptionally quiet vinyl too
  • Amazingly QUIET for an early Stereo Colgems pressing – not many survived in this kind of audiophile playing condition
  • The key to any Monkees record is the midrange, and here is the low-distortion, rich, breathy, present, Tubey Magical sound that no other copy had in such abundance
  • This is no Demo Disc by any means — we grade on a curve, and considering the limitations of a heavily-processed, 60s pop record designed to be heard over AM radio, this is very good sounding pressing for what it is, and one of the best we have ever played
  • The key to any Monkees record is the midrange, and here is the low-distortion, rich, breathy, present, Tubey Magical sound that few of the copies we played had in such abundance
  • The sound may be too heavily processed for some, but we find that on the best copies that sound works about as well as any for this album
  • 4 stars: “…the Monkees rate with any pop band of their era and More of The Monkees solidifies that position.”

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The Monkees – Self-Titled

More of the Music of The Monkees

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  • Surprisingly quiet for an original Stereo Colgems pressing – not many survived in this kind of audiophile playing condition
  • We guarantee there is dramatically more richness, fullness, vocal presence, and performance energy on this copy than others you’ve heard, and that’s especially true if you made the mistake of buying whatever Heavy Vinyl pressing is currently on the market
  • 4 stars: “The record wasn’t only a commercial juggernaut, it also stands as one of the great debuts of all time, and while the record and the group have faced criticism from rock purists through the ages, it stands the test of time perfectly well, sounding as alive and as much fun 40 years later.”
  • If you’re a fan of The Monkees, this title from 1966 is clearly one of their best
  • The complete list of titles from 1966 that we’ve reviewed to date can be found here

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The Monkees / The Birds, The Bees and The Monkees – Yes, Some Copies Actually Do Sound Good

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  • KILLER sound throughout for this original Colgems pressing with both sides earning Shootout Winning Triple Plus (A+++) grades or very close to them – the vinyl is fairly quiet for a vintage Monkees record too
  • The key to any Monkees record is the midrange, and here is the low-distortion, rich, breathy, present, Tubey Magical sound that no other side one had in such abundance
  • Daydream Believer was the big hit and it is absolutely killer here
  • “Featuring more than half of its material written by band members, The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees ranks as a favorite among longtime fans… it’s one of the band’s finest records, a great representation of the era and an even better pop album.” – Ultimate Classic Rock

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