#95. The Young Rascals | Groovin' (1967)

Grade: ★ ★ ★

This was the third album by The Young Rascals, and proved to be their strongest by far thanks in part to the number 1 title-track.  Did I like it?  Sure, it was OK.  Knowing that they supported The Beatles at Shea Stadium in '65 and they were the first rock band signed by Atlantic Records helped me understand exactly why this album is on my list. 

★ "A Girl Like You":  This is one of my favorite tracks on the album.  Opening with an almost classical piano intro, it quickly shifts into a beautiful swing arrangement before exploding into an almost big-band feel on the chorus.  One of four singles released from the album, it reached number 10 on the U.S. Billboard Charts. 

★ "Find Somebody":  This song marked a return to the group's garage band sound with a psychedelic twist.  Fuzztone guitars and some catchy lyrics make this an often overlooked gem. 

"I'm So Happy Now":  An OK pop ballad, but in the end, kind of forgettable.

"Sueño":  Some might say that the Latino-inspired "Sueño" was an unexpected surprise, but I found it to be just a little disjointed when compared to the rest of the album.

★ "How Can I Be Sure":  Aside from the title track, this is probably the band's most recognizable tune.  Not many pop songs of the day featured accordions, but this one did, and put it to good use.  It reached number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Charts and Dusty Springfield had a hit with it the following year.

★ "Groovin'":  I was never a big fan of this song, but I found a new appreciation for it when put in context with the rest of the album.  It's a great song to listen to on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  It was the band's first (and only) number 1 single in the U.S. and their only top 10 single in the U.K.

"If You Know: The B-side to the 1966 single "Lonely Too Long," which is a great song, makes a belated appearance on this album.  This is not a great song.

★ "I Don't Love You Anymore":  Yes, it's a horrible name for a song, but in my opinion, it's just as good as "How Can I Be Sure." 

"You Better Run"  This would have been an OK song until they whipped out the slide whistle towards the end. 

★ "A Place In The Sun":  The band turned in one superb, if not subdued, cover of this Stevie Wonder Motown hit.

"It's Love":  I absolutely hated this song.  I'm not really sure why, but it just drove me absolutely crazy.  Not a great way to end the album that I may have given 4 stars otherwise.  Sorry, Little Rascals...er, YOUNG Rascals.