Monkees Anthology Genres:Pop, Rock, Classic Rock The first comprehensive Rhino two-disc anthology highlighting The Monkees' overall career, including all the '60s hits and dozens of key album tracks up through the "Justus" album. Containing no unreleased material, this i... more »s the ideal package for the new Monkee fan, or for the fan who wants more than the Greatest Hits material but isn't up to buying all the original albums.« less
The first comprehensive Rhino two-disc anthology highlighting The Monkees' overall career, including all the '60s hits and dozens of key album tracks up through the "Justus" album. Containing no unreleased material, this is the ideal package for the new Monkee fan, or for the fan who wants more than the Greatest Hits material but isn't up to buying all the original albums.
CD Reviews
Absolutely perfect
Galley | Greenville, South Carolina United States | 03/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Anthology" is the perfect Monkees compilation. It's extremely difficult to limit The Monkees' contribution to popular music to only one disc. This collection contains not only all of the hits, but the essential album tracks as well. It also covers their entire 30-year recording career. Music Box is great for the die-hard fan, but "Anthology" deserves a spot in every music lover's collection."
Monkees - 'Anthology' (Rhino) 2-CD
Mike Reed | USA | 06/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Even though I've heard every one of this 2-CD release's fifty tracks like a zillion times before, if I'm in the correct frame of mind, I can still get plenty from this timeless made-for-televison bubble gum band's repertoire. Part of the fact might have to do with the fact is I haven't heard all THESE cuts in years. All your Monkees favorites are here, and then some. Tunes like the "Monkees Theme Song", "Last Train To Clarksville", "Saturday's Child" (one of my personal Monkees faves), "Sweet Young Thing", "Mary Mary", the single edits for "Steppin' Stone" and "Pleasant Valley Sunday" plus too many more to list here. An absolute must-have. Would make a great gift. Quick footnote: remember the song "For Pete's Sake"? Some fans I've come across still don't recall that cut right off hand. It was the TV's show closing theme for the second season."
Very surprised
Princess Aurora | Metro, IL USA | 06/15/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was very surprised at the list of songs on this cd. Some of the songs I have heard of and knew the words to them. An some songs I have never heard before. I have gained a new respect for Michael Nesmith. He has written some great songs that are on this cd. One of my new favorite Nesmith songs is "While I cry". His voice is so great on that song. I also have found more respect for Micky Dolenz as a song writer. The song on this cd called "Mommy and Daddy". At first, I thought it was a little off of the wall. But the more I listen to this song, the more I like. In all this is a great cd for any Monkee fan. I suggest it greatly!"
Monkee business
Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 03/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The only criticisms a fan could have of THE MONKEES ANTHOLOGY are that Mike Nesmith's only Top 40 single, "Tapioca Tundra" is missing, and monaural mixes are used on some of their best tracks. Regardless, this RHINO product is a fine set of fifty still engaging songs.
The Monkees' music holds up far better 40 years later than that of many "legitimate" rock band contemporaries of theirs. Tunes like "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You," "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "Last Train To Clarksville" were top quality and deserved the fame they achieved. Yes it's true that they turned out cutsie tunes like "Cuddly Toy," but these guys also tackled the day's serious issues, such as war ("Zor And Zam"). But quite often, their music dealt with all aspects of love. So for every "I'm A Believer" and "Valleri," they have "I Wanna Be Free" and "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" as counterpoint.
The most fascinating thing about the Monkees is they were a fictionally-conceived rock band that evolved rapidly into a real one. Surely no one involved ever thought this might happen, and the fact that it did is a lasting tribute to the four band members and the many other talented folks working with them behind the scenes. Naysayers can never refute this: between 1966 and '68, NO other American rock group was as popular or sold more records than Mike, Peter, Davey and Mickey. So there!
Package design-- a solidly-made box has a 3-D group portrait on the cover, and all the Monkee album covers in miniature behind the two CDs. The accompanying 32-page booklet includes a well-written history, track commentary, personnel, recording dates and chart positions. Sprinkled throughout are color repros of teen magazine covers and vintage Monkee-related merchandise. Highest recommendation.
