The Monkees Are Still Monkeying Around With Their New Album

One-half of the Monkees are back with a new album and supporting tour in time for their 50th anniversary. However, both Michael Nesmith’s and the late Davy Jones’ (who died from a heart attack in 2012) vocals are featured on the album titled Good Times!

Ever since the band originated in 1966, they have fought for artistic freedom, especially Nesmith. But they are back to their pop roots on their new album, which follows in the footsteps of their hit songs “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” “Daydream Believer,” and “Last Train to Clarkesville.”

The album includes collaborations with the lead singers of Death Cab for Cutie, Fountains of Wayne, Oasis, Weezer, and XTC, along with legendary musicians like Carole King and Neil Diamond. All of the musicians wrote the 12 tracks on Good Times! Meanwhile, the two surviving members, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork, are currently on their 50th-anniversary tour to support their new album. The third member, Nesmith, rejoined his fellow members on the album, but won’t be joining them on the tour.

Dolenz doesn’t want fans to refer to the Monkees as a band. He would rather have their fans think of the Monkees as just a classic TV show. Dolenz doesn’t see himself in the same league as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, even though they sold more records than both bands combined. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Monkees have sold well over 75 million albums worldwide. He doesn’t even see himself as a musician, just an entertainer.

“If you can get your head around that idea that everything else becomes much easier to get. Then, you’re talking about the cast of something like Star Trek, when you are tied to people not by choice.”

Meanwhile, Peter Tork revealed to the Baltimore Sun that he didn’t have much input on the new album. He was a little disappointed that one of the songs he wanted didn’t make the cut.

“I had a song in mind that I wanted to see go on the album, and it was not allowed on, and I’m bitterly disappointed about that. But, you know, it’s a fine album otherwise. I think this would have been a great song on the album, but that was just my personal opinion, and it wasn’t my album. It was [the record label] Rhino’s album, really.”

But Tork claims that he has no qualms against the album. In fact, he’s listened to it and he’s pleased with what he’s heard.

“And it’s a very good album, and I’m very glad to have been part of it. I would just be thrilled to death of this actually made a splash.”

Even Michael Nesmith is pleased with the finalized version of the album. He previously told ABC News that he was pleasantly surprised when he listened to the release.

“I thought it came out great, and the songs that people have been writing for it I thought were great. It just came together like an ordinary record, but because it was our 50th [anniversary], we knew it was gonna be kind of a touchstone, so everybody had high hopes for it. And then when it came out like it did, it was like, ‘Holy smokes, this is actually… sounds good!’ And so, we were thrilled.”

Nesmith’s vocals are featured on the track “I Know What I Know,” while Davy Jones’ vocals are on the Neil Diamond cover “Love to Love.”

Ever since Good Times! dropped on Friday, May 27, the album has reportedly skyrocketed to No. 1 on Amazon. Rhino, which is clearly not a new music label, released the album, while their Cyndi Lauper country music album is currently struggling on the charts. But the Monkees still have a faithful fan base that brought the album to No. 1 on the charts.

Good Times! is also available for download on iTunes, and is currently hovering around No. 20, according to Showbiz 411.

The Monkees are also releasing both seasons of their TV show on Blu-Ray later this year. What are your thoughts on their new album? Sound off below in the comments section.

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