6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read, 13 Jan 2012
By Erin - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Monkee Music (Kindle Edition)
Not your typical Monkees book, and I mean that in a good way. As someone who has 'read it all before', regarding the Monkees, this book appealed to me. It is not a gossip book nor does it contain any selacious stories, there are plenty of those out there, and I for one, have read them all. Monkee Music is for the DIE HARD Monkee fan and music fan. This book breaks down the Monkees catalog, song by song, and gives fresh insight into who played on the song and its origin.
This is the first book written about the Monkees, in years, where I actually learned some new facts.
I recommend this anyone who wants to know the background behind some of our favorite songs.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Informative... and fun., 16 Feb 2012
By William B. Cavanaugh - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Monkee Music (Kindle Edition)
Having been a Monkees fan since the beginning, I was attracted to this book and specifically the subject matter of the music. Prior to this book, I thought I was somewhat of an expert when it came to the Monkees. The insight this book provides is phenomenal, and made my self- proclaimed expertise seem a novice. The detail of each song and the history of each song is fasinating. I would caution however, the casual Monkees fan, and say this book is not likley for you. (probably too much detail) I do have one complaint however. I struggled through the book with the author's blatant dislike for vocalist Jones. Obviously he is not a fan and after the fifth apology of where he stated (paraphrase) "I am not trying to be hard on Davey Jones", I just don't believe him. Yes Jones is a "Broadway" vocalist as the author repeatedly hammers home, but I disagree with him overall with his stinging, and condesending remarks. David Jones is a "Pop" music legend, and one of the defining vocalists from that era.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating, 16 Feb 2012
By Adam Prosser "Prankster" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Monkee Music (Paperback)
I don't know much about the Monkees; to me, who wasn't even born before the band broke up, they were the bubblegum pop band, the Pre-Fab Four created to cash in on Beatlemania. However, I'm a fan of writer Andrew Hickey and his thoughts on the Beatles and comic books, so I knew that if he had something to say about the Monkees, they must be worth another look. Sure enough, through this material I discovered how interesting this band is and how unfairly they've been labelled a corporate creation. (Well, they were a corporate creation, but really no more than most other bands.) Their music turned out to be a lot more ambitious and interesting than I had known it to be, and dang if I'm not still listening to some of it months later.
Hickey provides a comprehensive overview of every album the Monkees released, with a healthy dose of opinion. I'm not very knowledgeable about the technical side of music, and as such some of the discussion went over my head (as with Hickey's Beatle book) but I found it informative and interesting nevertheless. In particular, Hickey's really good at placing each song into context, not just in terms of the Monkees' career and artistic aspirations, but in terms of the broader musical culture and genre history. Hickey feels strongly about certain things and doesn't pull his punches, but he clearly loves this band, and he transmitted that enthusiasm to me. Recommended for anyone who's interested in music at all, even if you don't think you care about the Monkees...you might after reading this book!
