Here is one of my first analysis.

I believe as many stated for the first 3 FNB albums that the Red White & Blue are symbolic of not only Americana but as Nez being someone who also loves this country and what it stands for. He mentioned in the liner Notes of Mag South about getting back to the music of his roots like Hank Williams & Jimmie Rodgers which is part of Americana.

I think Nez the American, Nez the Patriot really came out when he posted this statement on September 11th.

September 11, 2001

Darkness. Oh darkness. Do not tread on me! I am light and I will destroy you instantly and forever. I have seen your face before, and you are nothing. Do not come near my window or door. Do not come near my heart. I am intelligence, the light of Mind. I am spirit, the light of Truth. I am love, the light of Life. Do not suppose you can withstand my gaze. I live forever, even as you die. Your deluded and perverted notions of afterlife, and martyrdom, suicide as sacrifice, obtain not here. Here you die in vain, useless. My brothers and sisters, children, wives and husbands, my family of mankind live on in spite of your terror, of your dream of death, for we live in Spirit and in Truth, while you, oh darkness, are never more than darkness. I will shine into the farthest reach of life. I will vanquish you to non existence, obliterate you by my righteous might. Do you think to frighten me? Do you think to kill me? Think again, oh darkness. For I am light. In my light all are comforted. In my light all can see. By my light, darkness shall perish, so that all may live.
(From Nez posted at Videoranch)

I also think that Magnetic South album cover with the Eagle is the symbol of freedom and the olive branch and the arrows in the talons speak of the freedoms we have and defending that freedom. Yes it speaks of his freedom from the Monkees and Hollywood so to speak but I believe it goes deeper with the real Michael Nesmith.

As far as some of the songs, I know that many were ones he wrote while a Monkee. Nine X Blue, Crippled Lion and Conversations on Loose salute I think had to do with his relationship with Phyllis. I can't say for sure, but it would fit.

Calico Girlfreind:
I think this may be an analogy of his fresh start with a new band and the journey they are about to go on and that's why I think he started the album with that song.

"Me and my calico girlfriend
Starting a set of new rules
Watching the stars as they drop in
Making the nighttime a fool

Wandering over a roadway
Changing the signs of the times
Looking for love and a new day
Seeing with more than our eyes"


I think Keys to the Car is really a song about the Monkee Experience and the frustrations that went with it. They wer told to be wild but got reined in when they were perceived to get out of control.

"Tonight when he hands you the keys to the car
And he says you can drive, some, but don't drive too far
Tonight when she tells you you're her only one
Remember the morning brings on the sun

And they're watching you stumble and fall
Until you're lost down below like them all

Today when they give you their words of advice
And tell you you're free, friend, as long as it's nice
Today when their words of sweet wisdom come down
Remember their smiles are hiding their frowns

And they're watching you stumble and fall
Until you're lost down below like them all

If you say you're their friend, I'm afraid you will learn
They want only friends they can have on their terms
But the love that you show them will give you an edge
For authority is more than wearing a badge

And you'll be watching them stumble and fall
Until they're lost down below like them all
Until they're lost down below like them all"




And of couse Hollywood sorta speaks for itself about leaving and finding that place "where things don't start just to end"

and Finally Beyond the Blue Horizon is a great ending song for the album. It brings a vision of better things to come and guess what??? They did!!!! Life after Monkees was and is good!

More to come as I Look closely at Loose Salute!
"I Love Hot Dogs" ~ The Wolfman in Monstrous Monkee Mash"Time is Relative......Until the Relatives come over!!!" ~ ME!