Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones, Ltd.

Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. was the fourth album by The Monkees, released on November 14, 1967. At this point in their career, The Monkees were exerting more control over their music and actually playing many of the instruments themselves, something their record company had previously forbidden. The group did employ studio musicians to a greater extent than their previous album, Headquarters, which the four musicians played almost entirely on their own. Guitarist Michael Nesmith is heard vocally on this album more than ever before, contributing several strong songs here, including "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?" The album's single, "Pleasant Valley Sunday"/"Words," was a double-sided hit, and nearly every track shines. Along with Headquarters, Pisces constitutes what both critics and supporters alike believe to be the ultimate Monkees recordings, as they continued to distance themselves from their manufactured pop beginnings.

Related Topics:
The Monkees - Headquarters - Michael Nesmith

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The album is particularly interesting for the pioneering use of the Moog Synthesizer, which Micky Dolenz introduced to the group and played in the studio; he owned the third one ever sold. Pisces is believed to be the first rock or pop album to feature the Moog; not even The Beatles had experimented with one before this point. (George Harrison would obtain a Moog late the next year, employing it on his second solo album, Electronic Sound, and the Beatles used it on Abbey Road.) In any event, Pisces is one of the first handful of commercially issued recordings in any musical genre to feature the instrument.

Related Topics:
Moog Synthesizer - Micky Dolenz - The Beatles - George Harrison - Electronic Sound - Abbey Road

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Two additional songs, which eventually became the single "Daydream Believer"/"Goin' Down," were recorded during the album sessions. Released in October 1967 as a prelude to the Pisces album, it would be the group's last number one single.

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The album's title stems from each band member's respective astrological sign. However, since Nesmith and Davy Jones share the same sign (and the same birthday), Davy's last name was placed at the end of the title to avoid confusion. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. sold over 2 million copies as Colgems #104.

Related Topics:
Astrological sign - Davy Jones

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