The Monkees’ “Justus” (with Victoria Lundy)

THE MONKEES PLAY THEIR OWN INSTRUMENTS! So we brought in someone else who can play their own instrument: thereminist Victoria Lundy. How did this get the reputation as the grunge Monkees album? If you were only going to write one song for a new Monkees album, why would it be about Admiral James M. Boorda? Is it better to get over your second divorce by writing a bunch of indistinct rock songs, or to impress your new young wife with your guitar wankery? Where is Peter’s banjo, or Micky’s moog, or even Mike’s 12-string? In a post-Milli Vanilli world, did anyone besides Nez care that Monkees didn’t always play their own instruments? Why is there a lizard sunning itself on a rock? We’re too busy answering these questions and more to put anybody down on this week’s Detours and Outliers.