Monkees – Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones LTD. (Indie Excl Green Vinyl LP)

After making most of Headquarters on their own, the Monkees broadened their outlook for their fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., bringing in select session players to assist them in the recording. This album marked several changes for the group, the most immediately noticeable being Mike Nesmith’s increased vocal contributions. He sings lead on five of the album’s tracks, while Mickey Dolenz, the band’s previously dominant lead vocalist, sang only three. But what a trio of tunes! Mickey memorably voiced “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” another hit from the pens of Goffin & King and one with surprisingly sharp social commentary. Climbing to #3 on the pop charts, it featured a blazing, “Paperback Writer”-style guitar riff that fit seamlessly alongside the other rock hits of the day. The single’s B-side, “Words,” also with a Dolenz lead vocal, became a hit as well.

The album’s title refers to the astrological signs of the four members. Since both Nesmith and Davy Jones were Capricorns (and both share a December 30th birthdate), the “& Jones Ltd.” tag was added to avoid confusion. The album’s front cover artwork, an illustration by Bernard Yezsin, features four blank-faced band figures staring out over a sea of colored flowers, with the Monkees’ logo half-hidden among the flora. An apparent homage to the cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band released earlier that year, it was another deliberate signal that the Monkees were a real band, ready to be judged amongst their peers.

1.  Salesman
2.  She Hangs Out
3.  The Door Into Summer
4.  Love Is Only Sleeping
5.  Cuddly Toy
6.  Words
7.  Goin’ Down* (prev. unissued alternate mix)
8.  Hard To Believe
9.  What Am I Doing Hangin’ ‘Round?
10. Peter Percival Patterson’s Pet Pig Porky
11. Pleasant Valley Sunday
12. Daily Nightly* (prev. unissued alternate mix)
13. Don’t Call On Me
14. Star Collector