Headquarters (1967) by The Monkees

-- The 3rd album by the TV-show turned popstars, this was the breakthrough where they had full control of their music and played almost all instruments on the tracks.

After my parents gave me The Monkees Greatest Hits, I quickly became a Monkees fan. This was the first studio album I added to my collection, and eventually I collected the remainder of their 12 studio albums through 2016's Good Times.

Why I love this album

1. Variety. You can really hear the different styles between the main singers (Mike, Micky, and Davy). as well as complete group collaborations.

2. Not over-produced, it is just plain fun; you can tell the boys are having a good time

3. It has one of my all-time favorite songs "You Just May Be the One" by Mike (Michael Nesmith)

4. Unique instrumentation added to some songs (banjo, French horn, cello, zither)

5. Chip Douglas produced and played bass on it, and the album has his pop-music sensibilities (he was previously a member of The Turtles and later produced their unique album The Battle of the Bands)

Album Highlights (the titles are YouTube links)

• You Just May Be the One: Penned and sung by my favorite Monkee, Mike, it is one of the strongest tracks on the album, and the only one to feature the four Monkees playing the instruments they were portrayed as playing on the television show (Mike: guitar, Micky: drums, Peter: bass, Davy: tambourine), without any other session help. This is one of those songs that is so catchy and simple, yet it leaves you begging for more.
  

• Shades of Gray: Probably the most beautiful track on the album (and perhaps of all Monkees recordings), they group arranged the instrumentation from scratch. It is the only track with a Peter Tork lead vocal (alternating with Davy). Composed by the famous Mann/Weil husband/wife songwriting partnership ("You've Lost That Lovin' feeling," "Somewhere Out There" from An American Tail). Guest instrumentalists on French horn and Cello. The lyrics are poignant. For example: It was easy then to know what was fair When to keep and when to share. How much to protect your heart And how much to care. But today there is no day or night Today there is no dark or light. Today there is no black or white, Only shades of gray.

• I Can't Get Her Off My Mind: A cute vaudevillian love ditty, sung by heartthrob Davy, with Peter on Piano and Micky on wood block. Well, I’m so happy I could almost fly And I guess you know the reason why, I’m walkin’ down the street with her little hand in mine. And I don’t think I’ll ever get her off of my mind.
  

• Sunny Girlfriend: A rollicking Michael Nesmith boogie-woogie, this was the first track they recorded at the Headquarters recording sessions. She owns and operates Her own sunshine factory Of painting smiles on dolls and then on me She’s my sunny girlfriend and personality.
  

• Early Morning Blues and Greens: A Latin-tinged, moody and gentle number sung by Davy, with lovely harmony vocals, keyboards, and quasi-psychedelic organ from Peter Tork. My steaming coffee warms my face I’m disappointed in the taste But there’s a peace the early brings The morning world of growing things.

Honorable Mentions:

For Pete's Sake: song for closing credits for some of the Monkees seasons

No Time: Rock and Roll!

Randy Scouse Git: Odd, rude title, and quite fun