I've read that Michael Nesmith considered "Head" to be the Monkees' crowning achievement. He must've really enjoyed working in that format of intertwining hilarious off-beat sketches and stellar music videos.
In that respect, it's not hard for this reviewer to see "Elephant Parts" as a companion piece, or even a sequel of sorts to "Head". Great songs with great visuals, and again some wry humor that in a way comments on the society of the late '70s, the same way that "Head" took on the '60s.
As much as "Head" poked fun at The Monkees' sudden fame, "Elephant Parts" seems to take on Michael Nesmith's current state of affairs, with his star of the Monkees faded, and having established himself in the world of country-rock as a serious artist in his own right, (in my humble opinion) as good as the likes of Gram Parsons and Stephen Stills. However, the music in this film seems to have Mike looking back at both the past with the doo-wop send-up "Magic" or the Beach Boys-flavored "Light", and towards the future with disco-flavored numbers like "Tonight" and "Cruisin'". My personal favorite on this collection has to be the Stephen Stills & Manassas-inspired Country-Latin fusion of "Rio". Always holds a nostalgic summery place in my heart.
Some of the sketches here are absolutely brilliant. "Elvis Drugs", "Marningrita and a Coff of Cuppee", "Abject Poverty", "Name That Drug", and "Rodan" are all hilarious in what they spoof, drug abuse vs. the shadow of Elvis's death, alcoholism, poverty (duh!), drug abuse vs. the moral questionability of the DEA, and Nesmith poking fun at his solo hit and Godzilla at the same time, respectively.
From start to finish, it's solid. The jokes are solid, the music is solid. It's just a great fun little sketch show. If you loved "Head", you'll love this. It's definitely something to watch, again whether in the present state or an altered one. Either way, enjoy the ride as much as you enjoyed "Head"!
In that respect, it's not hard for this reviewer to see "Elephant Parts" as a companion piece, or even a sequel of sorts to "Head". Great songs with great visuals, and again some wry humor that in a way comments on the society of the late '70s, the same way that "Head" took on the '60s.
As much as "Head" poked fun at The Monkees' sudden fame, "Elephant Parts" seems to take on Michael Nesmith's current state of affairs, with his star of the Monkees faded, and having established himself in the world of country-rock as a serious artist in his own right, (in my humble opinion) as good as the likes of Gram Parsons and Stephen Stills. However, the music in this film seems to have Mike looking back at both the past with the doo-wop send-up "Magic" or the Beach Boys-flavored "Light", and towards the future with disco-flavored numbers like "Tonight" and "Cruisin'". My personal favorite on this collection has to be the Stephen Stills & Manassas-inspired Country-Latin fusion of "Rio". Always holds a nostalgic summery place in my heart.
Some of the sketches here are absolutely brilliant. "Elvis Drugs", "Marningrita and a Coff of Cuppee", "Abject Poverty", "Name That Drug", and "Rodan" are all hilarious in what they spoof, drug abuse vs. the shadow of Elvis's death, alcoholism, poverty (duh!), drug abuse vs. the moral questionability of the DEA, and Nesmith poking fun at his solo hit and Godzilla at the same time, respectively.
From start to finish, it's solid. The jokes are solid, the music is solid. It's just a great fun little sketch show. If you loved "Head", you'll love this. It's definitely something to watch, again whether in the present state or an altered one. Either way, enjoy the ride as much as you enjoyed "Head"!