Rays (Michael Nesmith album)

Rays is an album by Michael Nesmith, originally released in a limited edition of 100 in November 2005, then later released in an unlimited edition in April 2006. Nesmith described the album as a cinematic journey of sound with elements of swing, jazz and instrumental funk that forms what he calls "New Century Modern".

Background
The album cover is a comic strip drawn by Drew Friedman and features Nesmith "driving" through five stages of his life, with a quest of looking to fill his "appetite": 1) His earlier career in The Monkees, where he is seen driving a Pontiac GTO and wearing his signature knit-cap; 2) His career as the frontman of the First National Band, driving a Jeep; 3) His Elephant Parts-era career, where he is seen driving a pink Cadillac (referring to his song, "Eldorado to the Moon"); 4) His later life as an author, entrepreneur and philanthropist, driving a Rolls-Royce and asking, "where am I?"; 5) And in the center of the cartoon, Nesmith is sitting peacefully under a tree on a hill, content with himself, stating, "suddenly, I’m not as hungry as I’d thought".

Track listing
All songs written by Michael Nesmith.
 * 1) "Zip Ribbon" – 3:05
 * 2) "Dynaflow" – 4:11
 * 3) "Friedrider	" – 3:08
 * 4) "Carhop" – 3:58
 * 5) "Boomcar" – 3:43
 * 6) "Best of It" – 2:29
 * 7) "Ed's October Café" – 3:18
 * 8) "Rays" – 3:37
 * 9) "Bells" – 4:28
 * 10) "Land o Pies" – 2:50
 * 11) "There It Is" – 3:40
 * 12) "Follows the Heart" – 3:12

Personnel
Production notes
 * Michael Nesmith – vocals, synthesizer, guitar, keyboards
 * Gregg Bissonette - drums
 * Luis Conte – percussion
 * John Hobbs – keyboards, keyboard bass
 * Kurt Wagner – vocals
 * Michael Nesmith – producer, engineer, sampling, technician
 * Richard Bryant – engineer, technician
 * Drew Friedman – text, cover art
 * Michael MacDonald – engineer, technician
 * Gary McGrath - assistant to Michael MacDonald at Private Island Trax