The Monkees - The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees (1968 us mix of pop, rock and psychedelic - Rhino Handmade Release - MP3 320K and FLAC)

This is a really finely crafted album, with lots of different types of songs--psychedelic, schmaltzy Davy ballads, Mike's country-western-type music, and the peppy pop The Monkees got famous for.

As other reviewers have pointed out, it's kind of like their White Album, and even more out there than PAC&J, which plays like The Monkees on acid.

It's one of those albums that, while great, isn't ideal for a new fan, one that even for an old fan like myself (I've been a fan since their 1986 revival) needs multiple playings for it to really sink in and grow to appreciate and really really love.

I have a 1996 vinyl reissue with two bonus tracks, the first two bonus tracks on the CD remaster.

My faves on here are "Dream World" (Davy has been my favourite since I first got into them at six years old; otherwise I might very well not think that highly of the schmaltzy songs he's usually stuck singing!), "We Were Made for Each Other," "Tapioca Tundra" (it reached #34 on the charts), "Daydream Believer" of course, "Writing Wrongs" (I seem to be in the minority of people who like this weird trippy song, but then again, I also love the weird Beatles' sound collage "Revolution No. 9"), "I'll Be Back Up on My Feet," "P.O. Box 9847," "Valleri," and "Zor and Zam."

The lattermost always gives me chills; the ending line is just as eerie and pertinent today, considering what's going on in the world now. It was played during the last episode of their tv show as well.

The two bonus tracks I have are an alternate version of "P.O. Box 9847" with a synth instead of strings, and a cute schmaltzy co-written Davy number, "I'm Gonna Try."

I got into The Monkees for their upbeat happy pop songs, songs which I would probably hate were they coming from most other bands or groups, but even these more mature, introspective, and trippy songs are happy and fun.

The Monkees are known for their fun pop, which makes it harder for a new fan or a non-fan to appreciate the beauty and genius on this album (by Anyechka).

Disc 1 - The Original Stereo Album & More
01.Dream World
02.Auntie's Municipal Court
03.We Were Made For Each Other
04.Tapioca Tundra
05.Daydream Believer
06.Writing Wrongs
07.I'll Be Back Up On My Feet
08.The Poster
09.P.O. Box 9847
10.Magnolia Simms
11.Valleri
12.Zor And Zam
13.Through The Looking Glass (1968 Stereo Mix)
14.Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again (Alternate Mix)
15.D.W. Washburn (1968 Stereo Mix)
16.It's Nice To Be With You (1968 Stereo Mix)
17.Carlisle Wheeling (1967 Stereo Mix)
18.Rosemarie (1968 Stereo Mix)
19.My Share Of The Sidewalk (1968 Stereo Mix)
20.Alvin (Alternate Take)
21.We Were Made For Each Other (Alternate Backing Track)
22.The Girl I Left Behind Me (1967 Stereo Mix)
23.Little Red Rider (Acoustic Version)
24.Lady's Baby (1968 Stereo Mix)
25.Ceiling In My Room (1967 Stereo Mix)
26.I'm A Man (Backing Track)
27.Me Without You (1968 Stereo Mix)


Disc 2 - The Original Mono Album & More
01.Dream World
02.Auntie's Municipal Court
03.We Were Made For Each Other
04.Tapioca Tundra
05.Daydream Believer
06.Writing Wrongs
07.I'll Be Back Up On My Feet
08.The Poster
09.P.O. Box 9847
10.Magnolia Simms
11.Valleri
12.Zor And Zam
13.Alvin (1968 Mono Mix)
14.While I Cry (1968 Mono Mix)
15.D.W. Washburn (Mono Single Mix)
16.It's Nice To Be With You (Mono Single Mix)
17.Come On In (1968 Mono Mix)
18.Carlisle Wheeling (1968 Mono Mix)
19.Rosemarie (1968 Mono Mix)
20.The Girl I Left Behind Me (1967 Mono Mix)
21.Seeger's Theme (Alternate Version)
22.Tear The Top Right Off my Head (Micky's Vocal)
23.My Share Of The Sidewalk (1968 Mono Mix)
24.Lady's Baby (1968 Mono Mix)
25.Ceiling In My Room (1967 Mono Mix)
26.Merry Go Round (1968 Mono Mix)
27.Don't Listen To Linda (1968 Mono Mix)
28.Me Without You (1968 Mono Mix)
29.Zor And Zam (TV Version)
30.Teen Radio Spot

Disc 3 - The Birds, The Bees & The Raritees
01.Monkees Adult Stereo 8 Spot
02.Tear The Top Right Off My Head (Peter's Vocal)
03.Auntie's Municipal Court (Mike's Vocal)
04.P.O. Box 9847 (1968 Alternate Stereo Mix)
05.War Games (Version One)
06.Lady's Baby
07.Tapioca Tundra (1967 Alternate Stereo Mix)
08.D.W. Washburn (Alternate Mix With Bass Vocal)
09.Nine Times Blue (Version Two - Davy's Vocal)
10.Lady's Baby (Acoustic Version)
11.While I Cry (Alternate Mono Mix)
12.Shorty Blackwell (Rehearsal)
13.Laurel And Hardy
14.Seeger's Theme (Acoustic Version)
15.Tapioca Tundra (Acoustic Version)
16.Don't Say Nothin' Bad (About My Baby)
17.War Games (Version Two)
18.(I Prithee) Do Not Ask For Love (Second Recorded Version)
19.My Share Of The Sidewalk (Mike's Vocal Version)
20.Shake 'Em Up And Let 'Em Roll (Alternate Vocal Version)
21.Changes (2009 Mix)
22.Merry Go Round (Version One)
23.Magnolia Simms (Acoustic Version)
24.I'm Gonna Try
25.Seeger's Theme (Electric Version)
26.Magnolia Simms (Stereo Remix)
27.The Girl I Left Behind Me (Third Recorded Version)
28.Merry Go Round (Third Recorded Version)
29.Nine Times Blue (Version Two - Mike's Vocal)
30.The Party (2009 Mix)
31.I Wasn't Born To Follow (Backing Track)


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