Released: December 1969
After the sprawling and underwhelming Freedom Suite (C-), the Rascals mercifully reduced their ambitions on See.
The group also reduced the shared songwriting load.
On the previous spate of albums most of the songs were co-written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati with the occasional co-write from Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli. Well… Felix wrote eight of the 12 songs here all on his own as the Rascals became more and more his pet project. Not a bad thing per se, just noting it.
(Of the other songs, two were written by Gene on his own; one was co-written by Felix and Eddie; and the other was a cover).
Despite being mostly written by one man and scaling back their horizons, this album is still a wild smorgasbord of styles. These are the Rascals after all. During their psychedelic stage. With a “Special Thanks to the Divine Inspiration of Paramahansa Yogananda” on the album.
It would be shocking if this weren’t a wild collection of styles.
The title track is funk-rock worthy of Rare Earth. Of course Rare Earth was following in the white rock ‘n soul lane paved by the Rascals, so it was good to see Felix, Eddie, Gene, and Dino go back to their roots on “See”.
We immediately get whiplash on the very next track (“I'd Like To Take You Home”) since the band decides to cool all the way out on the mellow pop-rock that made “Groovin’” such a hit back in 1967.
“Remember Me” is passable country-rock. “I’m Blue” is passable blues-rock. “Stop and Think” is passable psychedelia. Actually sounds like a precursor to Prince’s Around the World in a Day.
Alright enough passes, break out the meal money.
“Temptation's 'Bout To Get Me” is one of the best straight-up soul songs the band ever recorded. If not the best. No hybridization. No dabbles. No influences. The boys just get down to the soulful nitty gritty.
(That song is a cover. The original was by the Knight Brothers. It’s pretty good too, although I prefer the Rascals’ version since the vocals are tighter.)
On Side Two, the band kicks things off with the shadowy, jazzy “Nubia”. That feel is largely achieved by Dino’s exquisite drumming and the upright bass play of jazz legend Ron Carter.
Other highlights on the second side include the jam band rockin’ of “Away, Away” contributed by Gene. It really is a fun song. We get more pure soul on “Real Thing” and more rock ‘n soul with “Hold On”.
The only dud on this album is “Death’s Reply”.
Oh, almost forgot “Carry Me Back”. That song is harmless.
ALBUM GRADE: B
Coming on the heels of the massive double album Freedom Suite, this LP flew under the radar. Three singles were released and none rose higher #26 in the US. The band was still hot in Canada, though. “See” (#8) and “Carry Me Back” (#6) reached the top 10 up yonder.
In the end, it was another quality album from the Rascals despite achieving no super epochal highs. I appreciate the eclectic steadiness these guys were able to achieve.
Song Scores
See: 8/10
I'd Like To Take You Home: 8/10
Remember Me: 6/10
I’m Blue: 7/10
Stop and Think: 7/10
Temptation's 'Bout To Get Me: 8/10
Nubia: 8/10
Carry Me Back: 6/10
Away, Away: 7/10
Real Thing: 7.5/10
Death’s Reply: 5/10
Hold On: 7.5/10