Customer Reviews

Pisces Aquarius Capricorn & Jones Ltd

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is middle of the road rock with very serviceable songs with a few excellent exceptions. The album dates back to 1967, the year the Monkees outsold The Beatles and the peak of The Monkees success.

The CD starts off with Michael Nesmith singing "Salesman," a bouncy country-flavored tune. Davy Jones is the lead singer on the following song, "She Hangs Out." This song is sung in a style similar to that of a number of other teen idols during the era and appears intended to target teenage girls. The vocals are among Davy's best.

Michael Nesmith sings the next track, "The Door into Summer." This song is one of my personal favorites because it was inspired by the Robert A. Heinlein novel of the same title. The song is about searching and opportunities lost, elements of which were in the Heinlein novel. This song is well constructed and superior to Michael's first track on this CD.

Michael is also the lead singer on "Love Is Only Sleeping." This song is even more inspired and better than the previous track. There are several special effects and Michael sings this song very well. While the flavor of the song is pop, the song is as original in style as any of the pop of the era, and one indication that the Monkees were trying hard to create their own sound.

"Cuddly Toy" was very good from several view points. Davy Jones was an excellent choice as the lead singer. The style of the song is deceptively innocent and light, but Harry Nilsson's lyrics were about a Hell's Angels gang bang. The innocent sounding music flew past censors and record company executives, and it was only after the release of the album that anyone other than Nilsson and the Monkees knew the meaning of the song.

"Words" is one of those wonderful Boyce/Hart songs sung by Mickey Dolenz. The song is dark with a flavor of psychedelic and is one of the most excellent and original songs on this CD. While the flavor of the songs is similar to some rockabilly singers, the sound is in a style that is purely The Monkees.

"Hard to Believe" is one of the mellower songs on this CD, sung by Davy Jones. This song takes Davy Jones to the edge of his vocal limits and perhaps a touch over. This song is one of the weaker songs on this CD.

"What Am I Doing Hangin' Round" features Michael Nesmith in another country-flavored song co-penned by Michael Martin Murphy of "Wildfire" fame. The music is relatively basic but the vocals are quite good. Peter Tork voices the next track, "Peter Percival Patterson's Pet Pig Porky." I'm not sure of what The Monkees were trying to accomplish with this song, but it is an interesting inclusion.

Then we come to one of the best Monkees' songs, "Pleasant Valley Sunday," sung by Mickey Dolenz. This song receives extensive airplay on classic rock stations. The lyrics are a cynical lament regarding the materialistic and mundane existence of middle class America; a great song for the youth of every era. The lyrics and music match incredibly well to make one of the best songs of the 60s.

The Michael Nesmith penned "Daily Nightly" sung by Micky Dolenz follows. This psychedelic song features Micky's attempts to play the Moog synthesizer. The Moog provides sound effects but is significantly away from the sophistication of The Moody Blues' Mike Pinder of the same era.

Michael Nesmith co-penned "Don't Call on Me," also sung by Michael Nesmith; a very mellow and beautiful song. Michael sings this style of song very well. The fast-paced Goffin/King song "Star Collector" finished the original vinyl, sung by Davy Jones. The music is relatively repetitious and simple, and can become annoying if you focus on it. The Moog synthesizer was also used on this song, but played (much better than Micky - sorry Micky) by Paul Beaver. Thanks to Steve Dallas for providing this information.

The CD then adds an additional 7 tracks. The first short track is pure comedy. Of the remaining tracks 5 are alternate tracks to the music on this CD, and one, "Goin' Down," is an alternate mix from that released on the flip side of the "Daydream Believer" single.

This album contains some gems. Most of the songs are good, some are excellent. The Monkees were trying harder to create their own style and break away from corporate control. The results may have been a bit bizarre, but the 60s were a great time to take chances and do something different. The Monkees will forever be a wonderful part of rock's musical heritage.

No, I'm not kidding. 'Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.' is not only the Monkees' best album ('Headquarters' ranks a close second), it's one of the ten best rock or pop albums of the '60's, and ranks right alongside 'Revolver', 'Pet Sounds', 'Forever Changes', 'Beggars Banquet', 'Highway 61 Revisited', 'Are You Experienced ?' and 'Rubber Soul'. A reevaluation of the Monkees' collective talents is WAY overdue; when you realize that these guys came together as two actors and two semi-pro musicians who auditioned for a TV series because they were in desperate need of work AND THEN forced themselves to become a REAL band, it's pretty amazing just how damn good (and often great) they became. The musical growth and diversity they display on this album is truly astounding --Mike Nesmith, the band's most talented member, shines on tracks like "The Door Into Summer", "Love Is Only Sleeping", and his yearning, soaring vocal on the magnificent country-like "What Am I Doin' Hanging Round ?" (possibly his all time greatest vocal performance). Micky shines on what still might rank as the finest three-minute exploration of suburban disenchantment ("Pleasant Valley Sunday"), as well as what may be the first usage of Moog synthesizer on a rock record ("Daily Nightly"). Even Davy - usually the weak link in the band - manages to charm and delivery solid performances on Harry Nilsson's "Cuddly Toy", "She Hangs Out" and the groupie tribute "Star Collector". Only Peter fails to make an impression here, although his solid musicianship can be heard on several tracks. The remastered sound on this disc really jumps out at you, and highlights what is already a superb album.

If you don't have this one in your collection of '60's rock CDs, you really are missing out on a vital link between the cheerier pop/rock of the early '60's and the darker, more forboding sounds of the late '60's. 'Pisces' will hopefully lead you to discover the Monkees' always good and frequently brilliant catalogue of music.

If you need a quick comparison, this is like The Monkees' version of REVOLVER; every song has a different style, and it all fits together into a perfect whole. SO MANY GREAT SONGS! "Salesman" (consumer activism), "She Hangs Out" (Las-Vegas show-stopper, and a big improvement on the original version), "Love Is Only Sleeping" (perhaps the most powerful song Mike ever sung that was written by somebody else--its lyrics tear your heart open but leave you filled with hope). Then there's "Cuddly Toy" (perhaps Davy's best "music-hall" styler?), "Words" (great, though I prefer the original found on MISSING LINKS 2), "Hard To Believe" (bossa-nova!), "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round" (country-western!) "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (possibly THE greatest Monkees song ever? ) "Daily Nightly" (deeply psychedelic, with Mike writing & Micky singing & playing) and the absolutely mind-blowing finale, "Star Collector". These were some of the greatest recordings done by these guys, and the amazing thing is this wasn't a "greatest hits" album!

My only beef over the years is the use of an alternate version of "Pleasant Valley Sunday", when the one on the 45 and the TV show was always, to me, the "definitive" one (see Rhino's GREATEST HITS to compare!). And HOW did "Goin' Down" (or, for that matter, "Daydream Believer") get left OFF originally? As for the bonus tracks, I'm afraid I feel about all these "alternate mixes" the way I do about 90% of the stuff on the 3 BEATLES ANTHOLOGY albums-- "interesting", but I'll keep the "originals".

My favorite Monkees album. If all of their albums had been on par with this, they would be remembered as one of the great 60s bands, instead of their (undeserved) legacy as a gimicky TV product.

I've had this record (and now CD) for about 22 years, and I still listen to it as much as anything in my collection. "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "The Door into Summer", "Star Collector" and "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?" are the stronger songs on this disc, but there's not a lousy song on here. Even the much-maligned "Hard to Believe" is probably my favorite sappy Davy Jones ballad. The bonus tracks are nice, and the liner notes are superb and very informative. Overall, I'd say an essential piece of 60s pop music.

"Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones," without a doubt is the single Monkees album that truly stands the test of time. Their first three albums may have had most of their hit singles. But it's here that the Monkees truly delivered a set of songs that even skeptics will admit stand on their own without the help of a weekly TV show as an infomercial.

No longer chasing the mid-1960s Britpop or bubblegum sound, the Monkees (especially Mike Nesmith) were finally their own men, and turn in fine performances. For the first time we have a Monkees album cover that doesn't ape Robert Freeman's work for the Beatles. Also for the first time, we have a Monkees album unburdened with ridiculous "novelty" numbers like "Gonna Buy Me a Dog," or "Auntie Grizelda." Instead, we have "Salesman," "Door Into Summer," and "What Am I Doing Hanging Round," all sung by Mike Nesmith and all anticipating the country-rock of the Eagles. We're treated to a cover of Nilsson's "Cuddly Toy," and "She Hangs Out," some of the few times that Davy Jones' showbiz schtick isn't embarrassing, and the terrific "Words" goes places that Mickey Dolenz' voice seldom went before or since. And, of course, we have "Pleasant Valley Sunday," easily the greatest single the Monkees ever recorded, and one of the best rock songs of the era. The bonus tracks are the icing on the cake.

Were "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones" recorded by the Byrds or Blind Faith, it would be hailed as one of the unsung masterpieces of the 1960s. Don't be as closeminded as the average rock journalist, who still thinks Woodstock saved the world and tries to act hip by pretending he likes rap music. Think for yourself, and give this CD a listen. You may never trust the official version of rock history again.

Back in the early '70s I started noticing the rock albums that my brother and sister (who were a decade and more older than I was) were listening to. Being a kid I loved the Monkees' show (which by then was in reruns)and couldn't figure out why the only Monkee album that they would own would be this one. I managed to acquire it off of them and nearly wore it out with listening to it, but it would be years before I really appreciated what a great album this was.

The tracks on this album show a true talent and musical ingenuity. For all those who were the Monkees' peers and ripped into them over their work hopefully they are eating crow now 30 years later. All of the tracks on this album (except "Hard to Believe" which the reissue's producer even admits doesn't quite fit) were as current and sophisticated as anything being produced in those days. When I listen to "Cuddly Toy" as an adult the song takes on a new meaning and understanding as does "The Door into Summer", "Salesman","Star Collector", and "Love is Only Sleeping". I consider "Words" to possibly be the best track on the album. I am almost glad that "Daydream Believer" didn't make it on to the album as it not one of their better songs, but I am glad that the reissue has "Goin' Down"

I would be remiss if I didn't point out that "Pleasant Valley Sunday" is one of the great songs of the '60s. Part of the reason, though, that it rises above Monkee bashing is because it is a King/Goffin tune.

All of this makes me wonder, if Screen Gems had given the guys the control that they should have had over their music, what would they have produced?

The Monkees masterpiece without a doubt,PAC&J should be the basis of the R&R Hall of Fame's final decision to finally induct this long overlooked group of talented individuals. Even though they're borne out of the usual Hollywood machinery,they've fought the powers that be and evolved into a great pop group for one shining moment. attention Monkee fans!: PACJ may be a masterpiece,but it isn't flawless.The sappy "Hard to Believe"& the Kirshner -era "She Hangs Out"bogs down the album.Many fans wondered why "Daydream Believer"&"Goin Down" didn't make the cut when they were recorded and released around the same time.Make a tape,or burn a CD of the following track order,the way it should've been released: 1.Salesman 2.The Door Into Summer 3.Love is only Sleeping 4.Cuddly Toy 5.Words 6.Goin Down(the mix from gr hits<1995>) 7.Peter Percieval Patterson's Pet Pig Porky 8.Plesant Valley Sunday 9.What am I Doin Hangin' Round 10.Daydream Believer 11.Daily Nightly 12.Don't Call on Me 13.Star Collector ENJOY!

This is arguably the Monkees' best album (it's either this or Headquarters). The Monkees didn't play all of the instruments on this album, but they did play a great deal of them, and they were definitely in charge of the recording sessions. There are many great songs on this album, and nothing really bad. Some of the my favorites include "The Door Into Summer", "Love is Only Sleeping", "What Am I Doing Hangin' Round", "Star Collector" and "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (my very favorite Monkees song). The CD adds several bonus tracks. The great "Goin' Down" was recorded at the same sessions as the rest of this album, and was the b-side of "Daydream Believer", which was also recorded at these sessions. ("Daydream Believer" was included on the album after this one.) There are also five interesting alternate mixes of songs from this album. These feature different vocals and/or instrumentation than the "regular" versions of the songs. Anyone interested in the Monkees should own this CD.

The Monkees hit a creative peak with their November 1967 release Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Limited, the group's fourth straight #1 album. The title is a combination of the group's astrological signs; Micky, Peter, and Mike respectively,... Davy, who shares the same birthday as Mike Nesmith, is of course the Jones. After providing all the instruments on their third album "Headquarters", the Monkees who were on a North American tour at the time, defer to a more practical approach to record-making and share the instrumental duties with a variety of other musicians. What that basically means is that Micky Dolenz is no longer the drummer in the studio. The group was also more open to outside songwriters this time around utilizing pros like Carole King and Boyce and Hart while recording tracks by future stars like Nilsson and Michael Martin Murphy. Aided in no small part by the expert production of Chip Douglas (who also supplies bass guitar), the Monkees turn in their finest and most enjoyable collection of songs. Michael Nesmith continues to yield an increasing amount of control over the group's output, as he sings five of the twelve songs here and writes a sixth. For the first time Nesmith lends vocals to songs not of his own composition, Murphy's "What Am I Doin' Hangin' Round", Mann and Weill's "Love Is Only Sleeping" and the wistful "Door Into Summer" written by producer Douglas and Nesmith friend Bill Martin. All are album highlights as is Nesmith's dark and moody "Daily Nightly" sung ably by Micky Dolenz who keeps a remarkably low profile on this album, represented only by this song and two sides of a previously released single, Boyce and Hart's menacing "Words" and the greatest song the Monkees ever recorded, Goffin and King's anthemic "Pleasant Valley Sunday". Nesmith's final appearance is on the beautiful "Don't Call On Me", a gentle ballad co-written with his friend John London with a fragile vocal similar to his future hit "Joanne". Davy Jones shows a new confidence under Douglas' direction and shines on the rocking "She Hangs Out", Nilsson's infectious "Cuddly Toy", Goffin and King's catchy "Star Collector" and the pleasant "Hard to Believe", co-written by Jones with the Sundowners, the group's opening act on tour. Peter Tork contributes some of his best vocals to "Words", (a duet with Dolenz) and plays a skillfull electric piano solo on "PVS" while contributing keyboards and guitar on several tracks. He also gives us a silly tongue twister, "Peter Percival Patterson's Pet Pig Porky", shades of "Your Auntie Grizelda" and the only novelty piece on this album. The Monkees, who's confidence and egos were growing to epic proportions at this time, sadly dispensed with producer Chip Douglas after this album, a big mistake considering the highly inferior follow-up, "The Birds, the Bees and the Monkees". This album is full of excellent and eclectic songs, great performances and sterling production that make this the Monkees equilavent of "Revolver". The group's finest hour.

Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones is a mixed bag of Monkees tunes. I thought Headquarters was fantastic in the respect that the Monkees played everysong and produced every song on their own, and the album fit together so perfectly. PACJ is an album that doesn't seem to fit that well together, as each song is different in style (I think proving how the Monkees were growing apart) Yet, there are lot of Nesmith songs on here, which is a plus.

The best songs here are "The Door Into Summer", "Love is Only Sleeping", "Words", "What Am I Doin Hangin Round", "PVS", "Daily Nightly" and "Don't Call On Me", and "Cuddly Toy".

"The Door Into Summer" is a catchy Nesmith rocker, a little less country and a little more pop, still quite catchy. While "Love Is Only Sleeping" seems to capture a hot summer's day- or at least thats what the opening feels like to me. Mike definitely explores more musical boundries on this album, and uses a falsetto voice towards the end of "Love.." I really love the trippy sort of echos and backing vocals on this song too. A definite gem. It feels like 1967.

"Words" is another classic, meshing pop with psychedelia, which was penned by none other than Boyce and Heart. Its great to FINALLY hear Peter sing (and actually have it be a serious song unlike Auntie Grizelda. If you want to hear an AWESOME Peter song, check out "Come On In" on the Music Box boxset.) I love the organ parts and windchimes.

"What Am I Doin Hangin Round" is another great Nesmith song.. very catchy and a lot more country than his other tunes on this album.

"PVS" is classic, I've always loved that song, again another Goffin/King song. While, "Daily Nightly" is another song penned by Nesmith but sung by Micky (Micky only sings on 3 of the songs on this album, which is quite different than the earlier albums where Micky did a majority of the vocal work, Mike does most of the songs here.) I love "DN" because it captures pure psychedlic music, much like "Words" but this is much more trippy. and the Moog Synth. is great, I love the sound, it totally makes the song (if you listen to the Alt. Mix which is a bonus track w/o the Moog.. its much less effective.)

I really don't like Davy's songs that much "Hard to Believe" and "She Hangs Out", but "Star Collector" is pretty cool, I think its cause he sounds more like a Beatle than a Monkee in this song. "Cuddly Toy" isn't bad either, its a great tune to bop to, and was written by Harry Nilsson. For some reason the song caused a stirr for its "innuendos" but I really think the song was innocent.

And I am absolutely in love with Mike Nesmith's song "Don't Call On Me". Mike said it was written/performed around 1963 before he joined the Monkees. I think this song is definitely a new horizon for Mike. He sounds so great, and its a huge departure from his well known country tunes. He just sounds really great, his voice is smooth, its a great lounge tune- but in no way over the top. I think this is one of my all time favorite songs, just really great. Its so good to hear Mike do something other than country, and this song proved that he can definitely sing.

The "Peter percival" segment is a little annoying because its a bit over done (I can't tell if Peter is really pronouncing the P's like that or if its some sort of tape effect) but its nice again to hear Peter contribute on the record. Its a shame he really didn't get much recognition, again the man CAN SING, listen to "Come On In" its.. just amazing he sounds so great there.

Its nice to have some bonus tracks as well, but I don't notice a real difference between those and the master tracks. I did notice that "Daily Nightly" didn't have the Moog part, and "Love is Only Sleeping" was missing some background effects.

Overall I give this album 5 stars, I think it is fresh, but I wish the songs sat better together. I think this is where the Monkees started to go their seperate ways musically, as each member did a different style of song. Mike's were country-rock, Micky went Psychedelic, Davy stayed with his poppy love tunes and Peter.. well.. Peter didn't really have a song on here (he should have! maybe thats why he left the group after this album.) And if "Daydream Believer" had been included on this album, it truly may have been complete.

I say check out Headquarters first, then hit this album. They are both great and are worth it for any Monkees' fan.