Midnight Ride
Paul Revere & The Raiders
1966
Album Summary
Midnight Ride is the fifth studio album by American pop rock group Paul Revere & the Raiders; released by Columbia Records (CS 9308). Produced by Terry Melcher and released in May 1966, the album featured the U.S. top five single "Kicks." The album also includes "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone," The Monkees' version of which became a U.S. Top 20 hit in 1967.The album is unique in the band's discography in that it contains songwriting credits by all five bandmembers. Stylistic changes, combined with arguments over which group members were to get their songs included on the band's albums, resulted in lead guitarist Drake Levin quitting the group following the release of Midnight Ride. The album also marked the end of the band's relationship with the Brill Building music publishing house, where "Kicks" and "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" were written.
WikipediaI 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.
"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 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
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
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.
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
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?!
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
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!
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
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.
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'
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.
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!
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.
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.
I really enjoyed this - it was a bit bland and not memorable, but that was the charm. I fell asleep twice listening to it.
It was interesting (apparently their gimmick was revolutionary war uniforms during the "british invasion"!) and pretty decent. Sometimes I forget there's 60s music that isn't the Beatles, but it's never quite as good.
It starts off really strong, but it falls off pretty hard the last few songs, especially the last two. 3/5
Muy beatlesco para mi gusto. Hay canciones entretenidas como "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" que me parecieron entretenidas. Asimismo, hay buenos guitarrazos de repente y momentos muy buena onda, frescos. No obstante, no es un disco al que regresaría. 7/10
The only 2 songs I was familiar with on this album are Kicks and I'm Not Your Stepping Stone. The later more because of the Monkey's cover. I like the album, but it feels like pretty generic 60s pop rock and I'd rather listen to The Beatles
Surprisingly decent - or maybe I’m desperate for this for awful run of albums to end and this was simply better than the rest recently
Early psychedelic work. Frank Zappa vibes. Pretty good, but I’m not crazy about it.
Mmmmm, mucha variedad de géneros en un mismo álbum. No identifique el género del grupo. Las canciones son entretenidas y tan diferentes entre ellas.
"There's Always Tomorrow" is basically the same as Bob Dylan's 115th Dream Solid meh - seems like pretty typical 60's rock. A bit copycat of the Beatles. Not offensive generally but also don't really get why this would be special.
The lead off track and single were fun and well written, as is most of the album. Nothing life changing or truly memorable, but not bad by any means.
Manages to sound like The Beatles, The Doors, and The Beach Boys all at once, while predating pretty much all of them. That counts for something!
Dopo essere sopravvissuto alla noia mortale del disco di Sinatra, questo sembrava quasi l'album del secolo. Se non fosse che a un certo punto parte un pezzo cantato in italiano "Ma che cazzo è?!" mi son detto, poi sono andato a controllare e praticamente è stato inserito nell'edizione del 2000, quindi ho deciso di fare finta di niente. Concludendo penso che siano stati abbastanza piacevoli e che quest'album abbia un non so che di moderno, considerando che sia stato pubblicato nel '66 (e qui mi ricollego a quello che ho scritto sull'album di Dr.John.. Suonava malissimo in contronto). Per me è un 3 pieno, forse anche grazie a Sinatra!
Not a bad albu, starts out with some fine songs. Love their take on Stepping Stone. It gets a little silly at the end finishing with two songs about cars that are both pretty lame. All-in-all a fun listen. 3.5 stars
No está mal, se deja escuchar. Tiene un par de temas buenos: "Kicks" y "I'm not your stepping stone". Me ha gustado también la "surfera" SS 396.
It has a lot to contend with in its era, nothing incredible and bit of it are pretty corny and leans into the 1950s early 60s pop cringe, but still it brings enough to the table to spice up the 60s. 3 stars because I love it and I hate it