Released: July 1967
Well, these young fellas found a creative way around the ballad problem I railed about on their previous two albums. Instead of trying to fit ballads into their garage rockin’ sloppy R&B mold, the band decided to expand their mold!
As a result, Groovin’ is pleasantly diverse in its musical stylings. There’s influences of Spanish, Afro-Cuban, jazz, and psychedelic music in addition to their usual tricks.
In fact, the band actually sidelines their usual tricks. They really took to heart the implications of the title.
The Rascals’ new sound is immediately discernible on the opening notes of “A Girl Like You”. A big jazzy R&B number, this song begins with quiet, barely audible piano notes. The song builds and builds on a strolling bass, Felix’s vibrant lead vocals, brassy horns, and the harmonies of Eddie and David Brigati.
If you though that maybe the Rascals pulling off that song was somehow a mistake, they put all doubts to rest on their ability to balladeer on “How Can I Be Sure”. That song with Eddie on lead completely avoids R&B and instead goes operatic with a showstopping arrangement by Arif Mardin, an accordion doing whatever it is accordions do, and an upright bass lightly plying its trade.
“How Can I Be Sure” (#4 US, #1 Canada) and “A Girl Like You” were both big hits (#10 US, #1 Canada). But the BIG smash was “Groovin’”.
“Groovin’” is the ultimate chill song with bird chirps, harmonica, congas, and the Brigati brother harmonies doing great work alongside Felix’s lead vocal. The song reached #1 in the US and Canada while becoming the Rascals’ only UK hit (#8).
The happy chill of “Groovin’” gives way to the heartbreak chill of “I Don't Love You Anymore”. The whole song is good, but the ending is gorgeous. It has the best vocal harmonies yet put out by the group, IMO. And this is the best song with Gene Cornish on lead vocals, IMO.
Cornish also got the lead vocal on “I'm So Happy Now”, which sounds like “Got to Get You Into My Life” by the Beatles. Felix and Eddie have the co-lead vocals on “If You Knew”. Unsurprisingly, it’s another soft rocker this time influenced by Baroque pop.
The album closer, “It's Love”, provides the first real inkling that one day this band would be doing esoteric jazz in the early 1970s. That song also features the first of many appearances on Rascals albums by flutist Hubert Laws.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo, they covered “A Place In The Sun”. I hate this song. At least the Rascals managed to make it not terrible. Even Stevie Wonder couldn’t do that.
The Rock & Roll
Alright enough of that slow shit, can the Rascals still fuck with a rock song? If “Find Somebody” is any indication, the answer is yes. But it was now 1967 and rock was getting psychedelicized. This song is a prime example of that. Hints of the garage way of life are still present, but this song is much more about the fuzz guitar and shaking maracas.
“Sueño” combines Spanish guitar with a light hand of psychedelic pop.
On “You Better Run” we finally get some classic Rascals garage rock hedonism. Probably because this song was recorded well before the other tunes here. In fact it was the follow up single to “Good Lovin’” back in May 1966. Atlantic Records for some reason left it off the previous LP (Collections) where it would have sounded more at home. Anyways, I’m kind of glad Atlantic forgot it or whatever, because it gives just a bit of nasty to this album. It really is the only fast jammin’ song on this LP.
These dudes musta been on some meds.
Ooh! Almost forgot to mention. The band wrote every song on this album except “A Place in the Sun”. Their first album was majority covers. The second album was like 1/3 covers. Now it’s only one cover. Progress!
ALBUM GRADE: A
If it wasn’t for “A Place in the Sun”, this motherfucker mighta gotten the first A+ handed out here on the soulfinger blog. Nonetheless, it’s only the second A album following in the footsteps of More Hits by the Supremes.
A sign of this album’s riches? Eight of the 11 songs appeared as either A sides or B sides on singles. That’s quality. A classic of 1960s popular music and a pleasure for anyone to enjoy.
Song Scores
A Girl Like You: 9/10
Find Somebody: 8/10
I'm So Happy Now: 7.5/10
Sueño: 7/10
How Can I Be Sure: 9/10
Groovin’: 9/10
If You Knew: 7.5/10
I Don't Love You Anymore: 9/10
You Better Run: 8/10
A Place In The Sun: 5/10
It's Love: 8/10