The Monkees: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork. By 1967's PISCES, AQUARIUS, CAPRICORN & JONES LTD., the band had found a balance between writing and performing their own material, and utilizing the talents of their Los Angeles songwriting teams and studio musicians. The result is an artistically satisfying mix of progressive experimentalism and pop smarts; the Moog synthesizer on the tracks "Daily Nightly," "Love Is Only Sleeping," and the groupie anthem "Star Collector," was the first ever to appear on a pop album. Besides the enormous hit "Pleasant Valley Sunday," highlights include the simply beautiful jazz-pop of Michael Nesmith's "Don't Call On Me," and the atmospheric and lovely "Words," featuring Peter Tork's best-ever vocals. The entire album is superb, and the handful of alternate takes and outtakes are nearly its equal. A '60s pop classic.

• Genre: Rock
• Format: Vinyl
• Internal ID: JITRE
• Released: 8/6/1996