Midnight Ride

"Paul, Revere, Jack and John Raider, thanks for coming to see me. Sit down and I'll cut to the chase. We got your demo, liked it and want you to cut a record. Something in the modern day vernacular that sounds like you made it burning the midnight oil. Something that sounds both a part of and apart from the current generation. You dig? That's what our research says gets the kids off these days. They want to rebel but they also want to be their parents. Don't ask me, I don't understand. My daughter's doing all sorts of... but never mind that. Keep the yowls, we like them, but add more bottom. You know, drama, atmosphere, both ends burning. And don't take it easy on the girls either. Name them, call them out - 'Little girl' this, 'What'cha doin' girl?' that. But don't actually name them. Keep it general. Don't take this the wrong way, but you guys aren't the strongest when it comes to specifics. Leave that to [redacted]. Speaking of which, we picked out a few records for you to listen to, just for a bit of inspiration. One each by [names redacted]. You got it? Good. Now bring me a hit!"

FUN record with some great tracks in 'Kicks', 'I'm Not Your Stepping Stone' and 'Take a Look at Yourself'. A good portion of non-memorable tracks and 'Little Girl in the 4th Row' is a bit tedious. For a band who, according to their name, should oppose the British Invasion, they sure do sound a lot like their contemporaries - just almost breaking out into 'Day Tripper' on 'Louie, Go Home'.

I find the inclusion of this album on the list interesting. I always thought of Paul Revere and the Raiders as a disposable bubble gum band. Perhaps their critical rehabilitation has something to do with Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, which featured their "Hungry" in the soundtrack, and even a discussion of how underrated they were. Well, listening to Midnight Ride, PR&TR seem to be a workmanlike pop band with a decidedly garage-y orientation, and that's true enough. Boyce & Hart's I'm Not Your Stepping Stone fits the group like a pair of stone-washed jeans whereas the Monkees were just playing at (however convincingly) being a garage band. Paul Revere & The Raiders can also whip up a pure pop chorus if the mood strikes them. But they are much more than a poppy garage band. There She Goes and Take A Look At Yourself are convincing takes on the country pop/rock of the Gosdin Brothers. SS 396 and Corvair Baby are expert nods to the Beach Boys. The group even picks up on the then current trend of raga rock here and there. Less compellingly, there is the wan balladry of Little Girl in the 4th Row and the dad schmaltz of Melody for an Unknown Girl, which could almost be a Perry Como cover. Nonetheless, the overall effect is workmanlike rather than inspired, as compared to the Monkees. That's an unfair comparison in that the Monkees had the cream of professional songwriters pumping out tunes for them and were backed by the best studio musicians money could buy, whereas PR&TR mostly relied on the native talent of the group, but the band invites it the comparison with their genre hopping and occasional poppy choruses. I wish PR&TR had shown a little more discipline and toned down their garage band tendencies a little, emphasized the poppy choruses, and jettisoned the ballads and schmaltz. I think they probably had a solid album in them, but this isn't it.

I thought this was a cool album for sure! I liked the vibes and felt that it was quite silly but in a fun way. I really appreciate how it wasn't as serious as a lot of the other albums from this decade that we've gotten (looking at you Bee Gees)

Stellar classic rock and roll. 12-bar blues. Great melodies, lyrics. Recognized a few songs, even though I’d not heard the name Paul Revere and the Raiders before. Right in my wheelhouse

PRETTY COOL 60´S SOUND

Great, sounds a bit like they're riffing off the Beatles and the Stones at the same time! Very 60s, very British Invasion sounding (but from the US), very very good.

Ild always generally avoided Paul Revere and the Raiders due to their ridiculous revolutionary war garb. “Really? That’s pretty stupid” thought little Johnny when he was 10 or 12 years old. The band is better than the outfits, but nothing spectacular. I like “kicks” and also “I’m not your stepping stone”, but the rest average. 3.5 stars and rounding down for sartorial silliness.

Girl in the 4th row was hella creepy... Maybe I'm missing some context there.

His has all the right vibes from the period: blues, rock, and whatever we want to consider the beach boys. I feel like if I were a teen during their heyday I could really be a fan girl.

A perfectly fine album, very garage rock for the time. Can see some modern albums that fit within this framework in some stylistic and sound choices. Best: Kicks Worst: Melody for an Unknown Girl 2.5 Stars

One if by land, Two if by…Fuck it, I can’t come up with any clever garage rock puns for that Paul Revere joke.

Leuke verrassing. Ik vond de nummers heel afwisselend, en erg opgewekt

The style is not very unique, but the execution is great. Nice basic rhythms to dance to, but each song is distinct enough that it doesn't get boring. This goes for the lyrics too, they aren't very deep, but each song tells a different story. Listening to the album just made me happy, so five stars.

Crazy that I had never even heard of this band before today. Super-into the classic 60s rock'n'roll vibe; miss this kind of music that just doesn't get made anymore. Maybe not a truly "5" album, but it's so refreshing to listen to.

Mostly great fun. Exemplifies the 60s in my mind. I can even excuse the myriad issues with Little Girl in the 4th Row as relics of a bygone age. Ballad of a Useless Man is oddly catchy for a song about an alcoholic living on the streets. And Melody for an Unknown [Woman] could have used even fewer words if you ask me. But overall, this is a good time capsule and just a good time.

This definitely sounded like a 60s jam and I had a lot of fun listening.

Super classic. I put this on when my father in law visits.

Fun 60s rock

That's very good. Most of the tracks are amazing, some are just a bit less, so I was not 100% sure about the 5th star.. but then the little girl in the 4th row (Italian version) happened. I'm Italian. I've never laughed so much. Made my night, I would listen to this album again anytime knowing what's waiting for me at the 13th track

A peaceful and cozy little listen

I felt like I was in an old movie. Vibes vibes vibes.

An older and a goodie! It transcends time. I love it!

Really enjoyed this. Great diversity and fun

Midnight Ride is the fifth studio album by American rock band Paul Revere & The Raiders, released in 1966. The album is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative albums of the 1960s, as it showcases the band’s versatility, creativity, and experimentation with different genres and styles. The album opens with the iconic “Kicks”, a catchy and upbeat anti-drug anthem that features a prominent organ riff, a driving bass line, and a powerful vocal performance by lead singer Mark Lindsay. The song was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, who also wrote hits for The Righteous Brothers, The Animals, and The Ronettes. “Kicks” was a huge success, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the band’s signature song. The next track, “There’s Always Tomorrow”, is a dramatic ballad that contrasts with the upbeat mood of “Kicks”. The song showcases Lindsay’s vocal range and emotion, as he sings about a failed relationship and the hope of finding love again. The song features a lush orchestral arrangement by Don Costa, who also worked with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Aretha Franklin. The album then shifts gears with “Little Girl in the 4th Row”, a rockabilly-inspired tune that pays tribute to the band’s loyal fans. The song is a fun and energetic romp, with a twangy guitar solo, a honky-tonk piano, and a humorous spoken interlude by Paul Revere. The song captures the band’s live charisma and rapport with their audience. The fourth track, “Ballad of a Useless Man”, is a folk-rock song that tells the story of a disillusioned and cynical man who has wasted his life. The song features a haunting harmonica, a folk guitar, and a melancholic melody. The song was written by Terry Melcher, the band’s producer and son of actress Doris Day. Melcher also wrote and produced songs for The Byrds, The Beach Boys, and The Mamas and the Papas. The album continues with “I’m Not Your Stepping Stone”, a garage rock classic that was later covered by The Monkees, The Sex Pistols, and Minor Threat. The song is a defiant and rebellious statement, as the band rejects being used and manipulated by someone else. The song features a distorted guitar, a pounding drum beat, and a snarling vocal delivery by Lindsay. The sixth track, “There She Goes”, is a soulful and romantic song that expresses the band’s admiration for a beautiful woman. The song features a smooth and groovy bass line, a jazzy saxophone, and a crooning vocal by Lindsay. The song was co-written by Lindsay and Melcher, who also wrote “Hungry”, another hit song by the band. The album then takes a psychedelic turn with “All I Really Need Is You”, a trippy and experimental song that explores the band’s inner feelings and desires. The song features a swirling organ, a fuzz guitar, and a distorted vocal by Lindsay. The song also includes a spoken word segment by Revere, who recites a poem by Lindsay. The song is a precursor to the band’s later psychedelic albums, such as Revolution! and The Spirit of '67. The eighth track, “Get It On”, is a hard rock song that showcases the band’s raw and powerful sound. The song features a heavy guitar riff, a thundering drum solo, and a screaming vocal by Lindsay. The song is a cover of a song by The Chevelles, a garage rock band from Los Angeles. The song was also recorded by The Standells, another garage rock band from Los Angeles. The album then slows down with “Louie, Go Home”, a bluesy and nostalgic song that revisits the band’s early days in Idaho. The song features a slide guitar, a harmonica, and a soulful vocal by Lindsay. The song is a sequel to “Louie Louie”, the band’s first hit song, which was a cover of a song by Richard Berry. The song was also recorded by David Bowie, who was a fan of the band. The album closes with “Take a Look at Yourself”, a folk-pop song that encourages the listener to reflect on their life and actions. The song features a gentle acoustic guitar, a flute, and a harmonious vocal by Lindsay. The song was written by P.F. Sloan, who also wrote songs for The Turtles, The Grass Roots, and Barry McGuire. Midnight Ride is a masterpiece of rock and roll, as it demonstrates the band’s musical diversity, artistic vision, and social awareness. The album is a testament to the band’s talent, creativity, and innovation, as they explore different genres and themes, from rockabilly to psychedelia, from romance to rebellion, from nostalgia to introspection. The album is a timeless and influential work, that has inspired and influenced countless artists and listeners. 🎶

mmm catchy. ‘melody for an unknown girl’ best track. this was cool cos there was range and it felt really well composed. OG stepping stone whaaaaaat?!

false

Kicks is great

Rock and roll, 1966. Un poco country rock&roll.

Pues sí, sí apruebo. Muy entretenido de escuchar, vibras doorsianas en muchas canciones, intervenciones de country, rock psicodelico, 70s' shit en los 90, chidito, aunque no mucha variedad de moods, salvo la ocasional balada. Mis favoritas fueron: there she goes, que tiene una vibra Grease, I'm not you Steppin Stone, que es una de las más Doors-sound-alike y Take a look at Yourself. Mood: Fake-Hippies

This one was fun! I especially liked the last song, thought it was a very silly but fun premise. Would like to listen to the full album, as I only found it on youtube and some songs were unavailable :(

Mix of styles from kinks beatles doors and some songs you know. 4 is generous but hey

Really enjoyed this. Nice variety and every song has a great hook

This is mostly banging. Enjoyed much more than I expected.

Decent actually. The melody song was cool

Few good tracks. Has different styles that I associate with various bands from this era. Seems like they have good range.

- Nice breadth of genre - feels influential, almost white stripes-esque? - strong musicianship

Very cool early-Beatles sort of thing. Catchy and fun. I could happily listen to this any day

This is a really sweet album. Kind of reminds me of the Yardbirds. I especially love the closing track!

Love this album! A great slice of mid-60s psych.

That was cool, though first half was better

Pretty good - never heard this before…

pretty good, I loved how much they messed with time signatures, regularly jumping between a 4/4 and 3/4 I’ll give it a 7/10

Enjoyable 60s rock that sounds very Beatles esque

Good time.

Great groovy album love the 60's pop rock organ sounds. A very rock n' roll feeling.

1,001 albums... There was a time when I had little or no interest in post-British invasion garage rock but I really dig this stuff when I'm in the mood these days. I don't know a great deal about Paul Revere and the Raiders beyond the fact that they had plenty of hits in the USA in the mid- sixties and that they used to dress up in American revolution gear - something which no doubt gave them a bit of attention but affected their credibility long-term. Anyway, I enjoyed this album for the large part. The garage rock stuff is energetic and fun and there are more than hints of the Beach Boys in the mushier numbers. A keeper.

Fun 60s rock. A few real bangers on here, especially Shake It Up, Kicks, and I'm Not Your Stepping Stone

Bold, unpretentious 60s pop rock. Not a lot not to like. enjoyed it as an album in 2022 so its prob worth an extra point for being written in 1966. 4/5

Una época que mereix revisions periòdiques, perquè està plena de petites troballes que valen molt la pena. El garage rock és un génere especialment procliu a això i aquest disc és una de les seves joies. Meravellós

A band I wasn't familiar with, but I like this album. A bit pop, a bit garage, a bit psychedelic, with a bit of soul thrown in.

Tuntematon platta mutta aika tiukkaa jopa aika Kinks henkistä garageajeluu! Siis täähän oli ihan munan kova! Miten en oo kuullu tätä aikaisemmin??? I’m not your steppin’ stone on todella väkevä 4/5

Great! There were enough songs I wanted to return to to make this album a 4/5 for me

Did not know this album / band - not sure if it belongs to the list but I quite liked it: good-sounding 60s garage rock except for the last song (Melody..), which I would give 5 stars.

A very enjoyable 60’s rock album. Best song was Kicks.

This was good

Curiosidad musical de esas que le gustan a Tarantino (lo digo porque son parte del soundtrack de Once Upon A Time In Hollywood) con todos los componentes de una banda de los 60 incluyendo detalles al estilo de los Kinks, de los Monkees y obviamente de los Beatles. La verdad es que el disco me gustó y aunque quizá no sea la nueva piedra angular de mi colección, le alcanza para la 4ª estrella, por la calidad de su sonido en 1966.

Really enjoyed this listen, and had no clue that they sang 'Stepping Stone'

I likeee

Cool!

7/10. Liked a few songs quite a bit, and the rest were generally pleasant

I really enjoyed this late '60s fun (if sometimes quite dated). Hey, they're from Boise!

Classic

One of those “clearly representative of an iconic sound of an era” pieces but where I only actually recognized one song. Altogether it’s a fairly weird album, some psychedelic leaning parts, a couple pretty out there experimental numbers, but then some super lazy “I got a dope car” numbers as well. Extra point for the bizarre swings in vibe.

enjoyable rock and roll! some songs I really enjoyed. a fun record through and through.

This was pretty cool. I had never heard of this band but they have that classic 60s rock/psychedelic sound like The Stones, The Who, The Doors, etc.

4/5

Really fun listen. The ways in which it's aged poorly are more endearing than distracting.

This garage rock album is pretty catchy. The first side is very good, riff filled and energetic. The second one is less good but still enjoyable. Pretty good album overall but not essential. 7,4/10

Classic early rock and roll, very much of its time and pretty darn good. 4 stars.

Okay admittedly this kinda washed over me

Always liked Minor Threat's Stepping Stone cover. The original isn't bad either, but this album is all over the place. Too many cooks in the kitchen here, but it does give a view into how trippy crazy the 60's were. These guys were kinda nuts, doing their best to break the molds they were forced into and I can respect that.

I really enjoyed this - it was a bit bland and not memorable, but that was the charm. I fell asleep twice listening to it.

Not a bad album, but it just did not do it for me. Should deserve a 5 star, I just don't want the algorithm to think I enjoyed this album a lot therefore I'm giving it 4 stars.

Really cool, stylish sound with attitude for the time and great harmonies

Early rock from the 60s, yet I think has a more advanced sound to it.

A fun little album that clocks in at just under 30 minutes.

This was peak American 60s pop rock and it rocks

Reminds of 60s Stones

legal, rockzao das antiga, animado

I tend to forget that even though it was the 60s bands like this made songs that laid the groundwork for modern (and post-modern) rock of every stripe. There are some absolute bangers on here.

4.0

Tight little 60s rock and roll album, honestly no complaints, just missed an extra shine or two to pump it all the way up.

BEST SONGS: -All I Really Need Is You -Little Girl in the 4th Row

Apparently, Paul Revere & The Raiders were making the music that I hoped more well-known bands like Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and The Doors were doing instead. They all fall into the same sound, but this is better executed. The instrumentation is more interesting, the songs are varied, and the overall sound is cleaner. Standouts are Ballad of a Useless Man and I'm Not Your Stepping Stone.

4-

Man, pop in the 60s hit different huh? Stand out songs: - Melody for an Unknown Girl - Corvair Baby

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Kicks, Ballad of a useless man, I’m not your stepping stone, There she goes, All I really need is you

Rock

threw a bunch of sixties garage pop riffs into a blender, which was probably the best place for them, frankly

3.75

Rock and roll, 1966. Un poco country rock&roll.

There were a few bops on this album

good vibes

Iown de

Igen et old School rock and Roll album. Det skal jeg helt sikkert lytte til igen!

This kind of garagey psych pop is like comfort food to me. Although they're trying to break from their manufactured pop image, and into being a "real" rock band, by doing more of their own songwriting, the standout tracks are still the Brill Building numbers.

I couldn't work out if that's was actual 60s or pretend 60s, which was weird. Jolly 60s vibez

There was a lot to like here - like a Beatles/Stones/Beach Boys mashup. Some cool left turns and spot-on musicality. I will listen to these fellas again.

I'm predisposed to love this simply because Quentin Tarantino is a huge fan. Even without that knowledge, I found myself dancing like Margot Robbie's Sharon Tate character in "Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood". This thing slaps hard, even the ballads are interesting. Turns out these fellas busted out I'm Not Your Stepping Stone before The Monkees. The Spotify algorithm is strong with this one. They threw ten more gems at me after this album ended. Tarantino and Spotify get me.