Changes

The Monkees final album during their first run (1966-1970) released in June 1970. At this point, only Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones remain in the group as Peter Tork had left in December 1968 and Michael Nesmith in March 1970. Changes was produced by Jeff Barry (who produced I'm A Believer, the Monkees' biggest hit back in 1967) and was recorded in New York. Unfortunately the success did not carry over to Changes, as it failed to chart on the Billboard 200 because of The Monkees diminishing almost non-existent popularity by 1970. Widely regarded as the Monkees' worst album of their original nine, Changes was pure bubble gum and R&B funk, that made the listener wonder if it was even the Monkees performing. Both Dolenz and particularily Jones still despise the album to this day. None the less, Dolenz and Jones' vocal perfomances are excellent considering the uninspiring material they are cutting. There are few highlights including the single Oh My My (which managed to squeeze into the TOP 100 at #98) and its b-side I Love You Better. Other decent cuts include Dolenz' Midnight Train and Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart's album closer I Never Thought It Peculiar. Upon the release of Changes, the Monkees were finally put to rest and would not reform until 1986.