Celebrating
its 55th anniversary today, The Monkees debut album was released on
October 10th, 1966. While it may have been a "manufactured image" at
this time; a construct built for a fictional TV world, that didn't mean
there weren't true creative talents working to put it all together.
First
and foremost, there was the powerhouse duo of Boyce & Hart, who
wrote most of the songs and provided their house band to perform a good
chunk of the music. They forged a distinct, slicked up, jangling garage
rock style that would be the foundation of The Monkees success. Their
contribution of Last Train to Clarksville proved to be chart topping
gold, even though it stealthily smuggled in an anti war message.
The
album also featured songs from the likes of David Gates, Gerry Goffin
and Carole King. And even though the band themselves were only ever
intended to contribute vocals to the songs, Michael Nesmith was allowed
to contribute a couple of his own compositions, which he co-produced at
his own recording session. When it wasn't the Boyce & Hart boys
playing the music, the legendary Wrecking Crew musicians were there to
round out the album.
As a result, regardless of any criticisms
of them being the "pre-fab four", the combination of expert musicians,
inspired songwriters and the lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry and
personalities of the Monkees themselves added up to a sum which has
proven itself against the unforgiving tides of time. This album still
holds its charms and power and has rightfully earned its place in the
pantheon of classic pop music.
