Willard's Wormholes

Head (1968)
Supernatural, Perhaps. Bologna? …Perhaps Not.

They had the fame, they made the money and they built themselves successful careers… but The Monkees never got the respect they deserved. Many longtime fans, like myself, had their first taste of fan adulation via The Monkees, and were always there to defend them against accusations of being “manufactured” (totally true) or that they didn’t play their instruments (only partly true… besides, who lobs that bias at Pet Sounds?). But, for most folks, you either get The Monkees or you don’t. Rhino’s re-issue of the soundtrack to the 1968 movie, Head, is fantastic. Listen to the clear separation as the instruments are introduced in Mike Nesmith’s “Circle Sky.” Nesmith shines throughout, by the way, while Peter Tork rocks convincingly in “Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again,” sounding exactly like a Sunset Strip house band (with an instrumental touch of L.A. 60s denizens, Spirit). “Porpoise Song” is only one of the psychedelic era’s most satisfying creations, written by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, no less. Likewise, “As We Go Along” is one of the band’s more credible and underrated recordings, another composition with Carole King’s involvement – which you can actually hear, as Micky seems to sing the song exactly as she might (or, maybe, exactly as her demo did). One thing Head is thankfully missing is a syrupy Davy Jones ballad. In fact, the album has only six songs and Davy’s sole lead contribution is a cover of Nilsson‘s “Daddy’s Song,” which was used despite Mike Nesmith’s arguably superior vocal version (included here as a bonus track) – sounding more like a scratchy 40s radio reception compared to Jones’ showbizzy, vaudevillian fare. As for the band’s relentless self-deprecation, I think it wears well – though, “the money’s in, we’re made of tin” sounded defensively insecure even at the time. These days… Head‘s random sound bites bring back the TV show’s humorous atmosphere without being quite as mindlessly dumb. Head is the original band’s last album and, depending on what it is you like about The Monkees in the first place, still one of their best. It’s over at Amazon. Many thanks to Kwai Chang for the re-up.

Opening Ceremony (1:20)
Porpoise Song (Theme From Head) (2:57)
Ditty Diego – War Chant (1:25)
Circle Sky (2:31)
Supplicio (0:48)
Can You Dig It? (3:24)
Gravy (0:07)
Superstitious (0:08)
As We Go Along (3:52)
Dandruff (0:40)
Daddy’s Song (2:30)
Poll (1:14)
Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again (2:39)
Swami – Plus Strings (5:22)
Ditty Diego – War Chant (4:31) (Bonus Track)
Circle Sky (2:20) (Bonus Track)
Happy Birthday To You (1:02) (Bonus Track)
Can You Dig It? (3:25) (Bonus Track)
Daddy’s Song (2:07) (Bonus Track)
Head Radio Spot (2:04) (Bonus Track)