Classic Album Collection

This set was a little spendy, but well worth every penny! It contains the first nine original albums released by the Monkees, plus an additional bonus disc. Each record is pressed on a different color and opacity, plus Rhino Records even kept with the original look of each album cover (right down to the original cover art with Colgems numbers and liner notes) and the labels on the vinyl even LOOK like the original Colgems labels, only with Rhino printed across the top. I own the first 5 of the original "scratchies" of these Colgems-labeled albums, which makes this set even more special to me, because I can finally hear them in their original scratch-free glory! If you're a Monkees fan and you love vinyl, this would be a very proud set to have in your collection! :o)

Pros: Great to have all the albums and songs together in one package. The price was fantastic and as a lifelong Monkees fan I was really looking forward to this boxset.Cons: Unfortunately I can't give this more than 3 stars because I find the "remastering" to be very annoying. For starters it seems that they have moved the lead vocals more upfront across all the songs to the detriment of the background instruments and vocals that made the songs sound balanced, full, and well crafted. Songs sound different now versus how they did on the older releases of CDs and records.The vocals are overly crisp now because it sounds like the "2016 remastering" just meant boosting the upper range of the sound spectrum for the songs. The vocals are shrill now and lack their previous warmth. Acoustic, bass, and electric guitars have lost their warmth and sound like cheaper versions of their former selves. Drums don't sound as real anymore. And things like violins, tambourines, cymbals, and higher notes on pianos, keyboards, or guitars are way overboosted and are now too loud and harsh. I find everything to be overly bright and it makes listening to the music very tiring. My ears are fatigued after just a few songs and I am listening at the same volumes as I have I've always listened to the music.And finally, the lowest bass notes have been boosted too much too which make them sound artificial and boomy. Things are not like they would have sounded when the albums were recorded in the late '60s.I write all of this as somebody who is pretty critical of sound quality and production. I have an high quality set of headphones and a high quality home stereo system that are very revealing. That being said, many people may never hear the difference in sound quality like I do. If you fall into that group then enjoy the CDs. Like I said, the completeness of the boxset is great and for $35 you can't beat the price, just be prepared for a real letdown in the production of the remastering.

This is a terrific boxed set gone only slightly wrong. The music is wonderful if you're a fan. I'm into their more tripped out psychedelic stuff, and there's plenty of that here. They were great at singing pop hits. Mickey Dolenz had the best vocal ability, from pop classics like "I'm A Believer" to jazz influenced scat singing on "Goin' Down". Mike Nesmith penned many quirky songs and sang them well. Peter Tork is unforgettable on "Auntie Grizelda" and the goofy poem about the pig who ate so much pie that he popped. This set contains all 9 original Monkees albums, plus a special disc of non-album tracks like the extended single version of "The Porpoise Song" (perhaps my favorite Monkees song). So how did this go slightly wrong? There's no booklet, liner notes or information about the recordings. Buy a microscope to read the original album cover reproductions....

Whether you're a brand new fan, mid-level devotee, or life long fan starting from their origins, this box set IS FOR YOU. The remasters and bonus disc alone make this a keeper for age old fans. If you're a new fan, this is the ideal set to get because you get introduced to every single album they put out during their initial run all the way to where only Micky and Davy were in the studio. It also includes the singles released during their classic 1986 reunion.What I like best is each CD comes in a nice carded sleeve replicating the album they were originally released in. The box opens neatly to hold all ten CDs comfortable in the custom packaging. It's an absolute superb collection by one of the most under-rated bands of all time.

I had a lot of Monkees albums when I was young, but I never bought any on CD. This set is so great! It has several of the Monkees albums, packaged in a box containing the CD's in to-size album covers that look like the original vinyls. I love it!

This set is perfect for every Monkees fan! It provides all the classic albums in their original forms (without extra bonus tracks on each CD) as they were intended to be heard. The remastering brings a fresh clarity to the sound. There are instrumental sounds heard now that I don't remember ever hearing in the original releases. This set comes with a bonus CD containing 10 tracks of original 45rpm single versions, as well as "All of Your Toys", originally released on their Missing Links LP, "That Was Then, This Is Now", released in 1986 and a remix of "Daydream Believer" from 1986. The set is presented in a sturdy shiny box and each CD is protected in their own individual cardboard sleeves with the original Colgems album artwork on each one. Enjoy!

Not much you can say that's negative about this set. I listened to it all the way up to the North Country and back recently (which means southern MN to the North Shore and back) and the combination of creative, spellbinding psych-rock, plain pop fun and occasional humorous goof is irresistible. I love this band...and yes, they are AND ALWAYS WERE a real band --! Also caught the Micky Dolenz interview with Tom Petty on Station 31, and that experience deepened my appreciation for both Tom and Micky, not to mention these freewheelin' Monkees AS A BAND. Made my painful work life just a little bit easier. Love it that they're celebrating their 50th Anniversary...keep rocking, boys - !

Depicted in the illustration is the RSD release which is coloured vinyl and with polythene inner sleeves. Rhino are now saving themselves a few bob by switching the black vinyl and paper sleeves. I presume this is an unannounced later, no RSD release. As the box is sealed, there is no way of knowing in advance what you are getting particularly as the illustration on Amazon had a RSD sticker. There is also a song missing, "The Girl I Left Behind Me" on Instant Replay.

This box set is perfect.Every studio song is included here that was released from 1966 to 1986 by The Monkees.The bonus disc makes sure of that.10 great original albums all in one place in original covers.Other record companys take note..... This is what the fans want...... Everything in original order.

What a fantastic collection of monkees Album's. Having only previously been a buyer of monkees hits Album's I wasn't expecting such a diverse and interesting box set bringing together classic monkees cds. There were lot's of song's that were new to me and upon listening with fresh ears. There's some zany experimental sound's and hidden gems on hear. Well worth a listen if your a casual fan.

These albums take me back to my teenage years (many moons ago). The best collection of Monkee's music I've ever come across.

great collection. good music. great times..