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Rating: - Psychedelia & Harmony
I first heard this album in 1975. I get very warm memories of the multiple playings of it. Of course I was only 8 years old at the time. But still, I will retain a smidgen of objectivity as I ramble about this brilliant work from the Monkees'catalog.

I think, although it was sneaky of Colgems at the time, it was a wise move to hold out on the album release of the classic "Daydream Believer" because that provided this album with a number one hit and the only example of Peter Tork's efforts on this album, all in the same song. But about some of my favorites from "The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees."

TAPIOCA TUNDRA - This was my favorite from the album. Written and sung by Mike Nesmith, This catchy tune sounds like tropical flavored rock and roll, including oddly distant tinny reverbed vocals by Mike. It is the flipside of "Valleri."

P.O. BOX 9847 - This is a very innovative Boyce-Hart composition vocalised by Micky Dolenz. I always loved the haunting minor keys played by the mandolin keyboard and the strong drums on this one. Micky really delivered a very strong vocal.

THE POSTER - This is a very good song for Davy Jones (He co-wrote it with Chris Pitts). The vocal at the beginning and the chorus make this song sound as if it could have been a hit for the Monkees (At least more than D.W. Washburn). It also would have been clever for the song do have been dubbed into a rerun of the "Monkees at the Circus" episode of their show. It would have been appropriate.

WE WERE MADE FOR EACH OTHER - I know that Davy Jones is categorized as a teen beat idol who sings mawkish tunes, But seriously, this song sounds nice. It sounds just as beautiful and understanding to the sentimental values of young lovers as "Don't Give Up On Us" by David Soul. Admit it, Hutch sang a great song.

MAGNOLIA SIMMS - I thought the old record i listened to was damaged when i heard the offbeat skipping effect of this roaring 20's imitation by the venerable Mike Nesmith. Did you know that if you play an LP of "The Birds, the Bees & The Monkees" with an old 78 needle, "Magnolia Simms" has no surface noise and all other tracks sound old?! I am not kidding. That must have been an expensive track to produce. Indeed it shows the unpredictable genius of Papa Nez.

Of course there are more songs on the album. The CD version of this record includes bonus tracks. My favorite bonus is "Lady's Baby" written and sung by Peter Tork. There is an actual baby making sounds in the background in this rousing blues tune.

In my personal opinion, this album bridges the gap perfectly between the incomparable "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, LTD" and The "Head" Soundtrack.

To new monkee fans, I recommend this album. Try listening to older Monkee albums first, it may make you appreciate this one even more.

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