Groovin'

Great 60s guitar sounds

Groovin' has been on so many movie sound tracks. Most of this album was so happy and up-beat. I really enjoyed this album! I am going to find me a place in the sun...

This album truly surprised me. That cover is at the same time absolutely awful and endearingly cheesy. Love how it tell you the big hit is on this album. The music is surprisingly psychadelic, only on the under layers of these impeccably written pop tunes. You'll probably recognize some of these songs and wonder where you heard them (most likely covers). I fear this album may be too overlooked, it's great

I'm a sucker for this stuff. I can't help but love it.

Surprisingly good

Can't help but like Groovin' with The Rascals. 5 stars or A-.

The only rascals album I ever owned was the greatest hits, which i love every song on. But this brings a different feel. One that is more varied I think. Going to go buy this one on vinyl as listen to it. Great album.

Well I loved it. Might be considered boring but Groovin’ is just perfect. A masterclass for songs to get stuck in your head.

i think ultimately, this album in the grand scheme of things is not very important, but i adore it a lot. i don't know if it has aged very well - it definitely sounds like a mid-late '60s album and modern listeners may find it mundane, but i was raised on this album and the rascals in general. i think the crop of songs is great, the sound of the rascals, at the time, was fairly groundbreaking, and the musicianship here is extremely underrated, especially the drumming of dino danelli (some of the greatest fills of all time!). is this a monumental album from 1967, in hindsight? maybe not. i still love it a lot.

Hatte Angst als ich die Jahreszahl sah, aber der rhythmische Groove der sich durchs Album zieht gefällt mir

Great surprise. Happy 60s zeitgeist. Love this!

That vibrato is something else. Also the nicest breakup song ever, barf

lives up to the album’s name

Basically flawless and a pure joy.

👍

Loved it

Fantastic classic

60 pop perfection

Another classic in its own space. Never had the pleasure of listening to it on my own.”Groovin” has definitely been a few movies I’ve watched before.

I was pretty distracted during this, but I feel like this is kinda just the tamer, less experimental version of The Beach Boys. Like it’s cool, I thought there were some really good songs on here, but it’s really not doing anything special. And there’s only so many 60s pop albums one can stand before it gets stale. Favorites: Find Somebody, You Better Run, A Place In the Sun

Soul, pop, garage, psyc, and none of it feels out of place. Very 60s pop but varied enough to stay interesting

Some solid 60s pop

my first reaction to this was Laughing Irl at the silly cover but honestly its a great if unrevelatory slice of mid 60s pop. its not entirely separate from the psych boom but there's more of a soul and even rnb approach to the instrumental and vocal performances here. sometimes there are funny abberations like the harder edged You Better Run but on the whole this is rly comfy american 60s pop music, upbeat and melodic and warm, less adventurous than the british invasion bands but slightly more bite than the monkees. honestly i think the biggest highlight is the vocals, which are full of beautiful and silky work on both lead and harmonies. How Can I Be Sure in particular is absolutely wonderful...just a rolling melodic wonderland.

Loved this. Good variety

This album had such a great start with “A girl like you”! It was fun, groovy (as advertised), and built nicely throughout the track. While a bit more laid back, “Find Somebody” kept the energy going with the percussion in the background. I really liked the vibes after of “I’m so happy now”. It was very of its time, and had almost Beatles vibes to it. How can I be sure was a very pretty track! The title track was not as groovy as I would’ve liked it to be. “If you knew” and “I don’t love you anymore” were also pretty chill. I was so happy that “Run” brought back the upbeat. The bass was great and I loved the combination of instruments. It also had some semblance of a bridge which… yay! I did actually quite like “A place in the Sun”. “Love” was a very fun closer to this album. Overall, I enjoyed this. I wish it has been more upbeat for the whole thing as that’s where it really shined! 3.5/5 ⭐️ 170/1089

Great 60s album with lots of variety. But with the album cover? Overall 4/5 easy listen

Buen disco, entretenido!

These young rascals are pretty groovin.

I didn't expect much going into the album, but almost right away I was impressed. It is pretty groovy as you might expect, but really every song was great. I had never heard of this band before listening to this album, but I'm glad I know them now.

Love this!

4 Didnt really stand out at all to me on the first listen but on the second time round, this is a genuinely really good album, very varied styles

This was surprisingly groovy! I expected another twee 70's folk thing that was about as engaging as grandads stories about the 40's, but it turned out much better. The blue eyed souls, the strong writing and the good hooks meant this got 2 plays through with the appreciation of the whole family. I didnt love it, but its a 3.5 rounded up because why not.

Has some great songs and also a few duds but still enjoy listening to the Rascals.

I don't feel like anyone really talks about The Young Rascals as a classic 1960s pop band, so I was surprised that this had a better killer to filler ratio than, say, the Mamas and the Papas' album I got the other week.

Honestly really enjoyed this. Love the R&B/soul flavor, and of course the psychedelic style. Would like to listen again.

Maybe nothing revolutionary but I love this kinda stuff

Decent album full of songs about wanting to get laid. Such simpler times. Weren't they aware that there was a world in chaos? Not one song about Vietnam? Come on! Doesn't quite reach the heights of some other music of the era, but still quite solid.

Groovin' er en god blanding af blue-eyed soul og psykedelisk rock. Den lander et sjovt sted mellem motown og tidlige Beatles eller The Beach Boys. Meget fedt, Album. Vil vende tilbage ;) Standouts: A Girl Like You, I'm So Happy Now, How Can I Be Sure (Nina Simone??), Groovin' (Sam Cooke??)

**Groovin'** (1967) by The Young Rascals is widely regarded as the band's creative peak—a record that captured the Summer of Love's optimism while pushing blue-eyed soul into new territory. Released on July 31, 1967, the album reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and produced three top-ten singles, cementing the New Jersey quartet's place in rock history . --- ## Lyrics The songwriting partnership of Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati produced lyrics that radiated positivity and romantic idealism. Brigati described their collaborative language as "upbeat and positive," and that sensibility permeates the album . The title track "Groovin'" captures a simple, sun-drenched moment of contentment—"Life would be ecstasy / You and me endlessly"—that felt perfectly attuned to 1967's cultural moment . However, the album isn't one-dimensional. "How Can I Be Sure" introduces vulnerability and romantic uncertainty, while "I Don't Love You Anymore" (written by guitarist Gene Cornish) offers a surprisingly assertive breakup narrative: "It's like my life had just begun" . "You Better Run" brings an edge of confrontation. That said, some listeners find the non-hit material lyrically thin, with one critic noting a repetitive thematic cycle: "I'm looking for someone like you... okay, I found somebody... yay, let's get married now... oh no, maybe I'm having second thoughts" . --- ## Music *Groovin'* represents a dramatic expansion of the Young Rascals' sound. Where their earlier work leaned heavily on garage-soul covers, this album blends: - **Blue-eyed soul** ("A Girl Like You," "I'm So Happy Now") - **Psychedelic rock** ("Find Somebody" with its phased fuzztone guitars) - **Latin rhythms** ("Groovin'" incorporates baiao influences; "Sueño" is explicitly Latin-tinged) - **Baroque pop** ("How Can I Be Sure" features strings and trumpet in a cabaret-influenced arrangement) - **Jazz-rock fusion** (the album closer "It's Love" features flutist Hubert Laws) The band employed three different lead vocalists across the album—Cavaliere, Brigati, and Cornish—creating varied textures. The core quartet was augmented by session players adding violins, horns, harp, and congas, giving the record a lush, sophisticated palette . --- ## Production Produced by the band themselves with orchestral arrangements by Atlantic's Arif Mardin, *Groovin'* was recorded primarily at Atlantic Studios in New York . The production balances polish with organic warmth. The title track famously opens with bird songs and a relaxed Latin groove—a far cry from the band's earlier rave-ups. Atlantic Records was initially skeptical about releasing "Groovin'" as a single, but DJ Murray the K convinced label head Jerry Wexler to take the chance . The album was originally released in mono, which some modern listeners find limiting, though others appreciate the concentrated sonic punch . Cavaliere was deeply involved in every stage: "I was present for every second of it. We never mailed anything in... from the creation of the songs to the recording of the track to the singing and the mixing, even to the mastering whenever possible" . --- ## Themes The dominant theme is **joy**—unapologetic, radiant happiness. Even when addressing breakups or uncertainty, the album maintains an affirming energy. "It's Love" soars with exultant optimism, while "A Place in the Sun" (their cover of Stevie Wonder's 1966 hit) sustains the record's sanguinity . The album also reflects the **Summer of Love** ethos—"Groovin'" peaked on the charts just as that cultural phenomenon was dawning, and its "breezy feel" became synonymous with the era's idealism . The band's visual transformation (Nehru shirts, beads, longer hair) mirrored this shift toward psychedelic openness . --- ## Influence and Legacy *Groovin'* was pivotal in defining **blue-eyed soul** as a commercially viable genre, proving white rock bands could achieve significant R&B crossover success . The title track was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and appears on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll . Booker T. & the M.G.'s instrumental cover reached No. 21 in 1967, and the song continues to resonate—a 2024 Poolside remix achieved platinum certification . The album helped earn the band (later known simply as The Rascals) induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 . Retrospective critics often rank it as their finest work, with AllMusic awarding it 4.5/5 stars and praising its "limitless personality" . --- ## Pros - **Genre-blending ambition**: Seamlessly integrates soul, psychedelia, Latin, jazz, and baroque pop without feeling disjointed - **Three legitimate classics**: "Groovin'," "How Can I Be Sure," and "You Better Run" remain enduring songs - **Vocal versatility**: Three distinct lead singers prevent monotony - **Production sophistication**: Arif Mardin's arrangements and the band's attention to sonic detail elevate the material - **Emotional authenticity**: The happiness feels genuine rather than saccharine - **Historical significance**: A landmark of blue-eyed soul and 1967's revolutionary musical year ## Cons - **Uneven deep cuts**: Some non-single tracks ("A Girl Like You," "I'm So Happy Now") rely on generic late-'60s pop brass arrangements that haven't aged as gracefully - **Mono limitation**: The original release lacks stereo separation, which can feel constrained to modern ears - **Lyrical repetition**: Outside the hits, the romantic themes can feel cyclical and occasionally underdeveloped - **Identity diffusion**: Some critics note the band seems to be chasing multiple sounds (Beach Boys, Beatles, Otis Redding) without a fully cohesive identity - **Overshadowed by 1967's giants**: Released within months of *Sgt. Pepper's* and *Their Satanic Majesties Request*, it struggled for critical attention despite its quality --- **Verdict**: *Groovin'* is an essential document of 1967—a bridge between the raw energy of mid-'60s garage rock and the sophisticated pop-soul that would follow. While not every experiment succeeds perfectly, the album's best moments are transcendent, and its influence on blue-eyed soul and genre-crossing pop remains undeniable.

Really really good album

This grew on me as I went on, and I quite enjoyed it. The soul influences lift it above other similar stuff a bit, but I'm still not entirely sure why it belongs on this list.

Lowkey buyoant.

this surprised me it was pretty good judging from the cover and release year i thought it would be a bit nonsense but i liked the sound

I didn’t mind this, kinda chill. Second half was better than first. My wife would love this album so I’m giving it a higher rating because of that.

Por momentos me suenan a los Beach Boys y por otros a los Everly Brothers. En algún momento hay trazas de psicodelia, pero siguiendo anclados en el pop. Se hace agradable la escucha, pero no encuentro el álbum especialmente notable. La canción que da nombre al disco es un buen ejemplo de single dispuesto a gustar a grandes audiencias, y es de lo más destacable, junto con “A Girl Like You”. Para pasar un buen rato sin demasiada trascendencia.

What the fuck is this cover art? Pretty cool that I learned where the sample for "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo" by A Tribe Called Quest came from! Pretty good overall, actually.

A groovy little album. I’ll show myself out.

3.5

Ég hafði aldrei heyrt um þetta band áður, og platan lætur ekki mikið yfir sér við fyrstu hlustun, en hún er merkileg næs ef maður gefur henni nokkra snúninga. Feelgood sjöunditugur.

Fairly decent...

Good

A refreshing album from the 60s that didn’t seem like it was a band just trying to copy The Beatles. A couple solid tracks and a great listen overall.

Groovin'. Groovy.

Really solid! There are some jams on here I would definitely listen to again

Great vibe for a throwback Sunday funday

We really liked this one - adding it to our list to return to and possibly even into regular rotation. Rym is unnecessarily mean about this one too :(

It's like they went straight from high school to the studio and said, "Make us sound like we're having the most groovin' time ever!" And they delivered. It's just a different flavor of fun, from the poppy sugar highs to the soulful jams. Don't expect some deep philosophical statement here; it's more about feeling good than thinking hard. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - How Can I Be Sure - Groovin' - A Place in the Sun - It's Love

07/10 15.02.2026

Really liked this. Couple of the songs were familiar to me but I dunno if I could have ever told you who sang them. Very chilled vibes but mixed up the sounds. Obviously reminiscent of the Beach Boys/ Beatles.

As Sam pointed out I'm not really sure what the historical relevance of this album is but I have a weak spot for this type of 1960s type of pop production. I loved the Groovin' song as a kid so I'll add a half point accordingly.

It's a bopping album, but I fail to understand what makes it special relative to the myriad of groovy late 60s albums of the same era. Sure, there's a nice sample of different genres featuring fun instruments, but I don't think I could pick out any of these songs from a lineup. Whatever, a good time is a good time I guess

Groovy at least! I enjoyed it!

Nice Album

Przyjemny album taki na granicy rocka. Brzmi jakby powstał nieco później niż w rzeczywistości. Dobra odskocznia od tego całego bełkotu ostatnich tygodni oraz od pogody, która nie rozpieszcza. 7/10

“Groovin'” by The Young Rascals is a standard 60s rock album, but it contains a few unusual elements, e.g.: “...A Girl Like You” swings, “I Don't Love You Anymore” is inspired by Latin rhythms, while “A Place In The Sun” exudes reggae vibes. None of this is particularly exciting, but for me, the aforementioned special features fit remarkably well into the Rascals' sound and songs—something that, in my opinion, often goes wrong with other bands. Since the other songs are anything but bad, the band is simply very musical and does its job very well, this album is thoroughly enjoyable. I knew The Young Rascals by name, but this was still a pleasant surprise.

I have this!

I liked it. Good vibe. Sounds like something my grandfather would listen to

This was good, solid 60's rock fun. A little psychedelic, a little surf, a little Latin beat -- just a winner. The title track is an all-timer. It's just a nice box of sunshine to open up when there's a foot of snow on the ground.

Maybe the best album on here so far (only like 15 deep) I’m impressed. Liked the majority of songs. Many albums on here seemed like they were trying so hard to be different and edgy. I don’t get that from this album. Seems like they were just guys looking to make some good music from the heart. Definitely some Beatles influence but probably hard not to in that time

I had no idea, they should have sent a poet

Underrated band that rocks more than you think

Some really great songs! A fun album to listen to.

That was a pretty great album, full of love and fun

Groovin' indeed!

I love stuff like this. IDC!!!

This was a pleasant surprise. I knew the title track, but some of the others here are lovely tunes too. Love the feel of this. The performances match the songs, and the production doesn't get in the way. Nice.

pretty fun pop album from the sixties that didnt try to ape The Beatles(too much). Its got tons of upbeat sound and a great energy throughout, Sueno, Groovin', A Girl Like You, were my favorites here.

One of the more enjoyable pop albums from the era. Surprised by how many songs I knew off this one. Reminded me of AM radio in the 90s

La portada no le hace justicia la disco. Es muy bueno y los Rascals eran una gran banda con la batería de Eddie Brigati siempre en primera línea del escenario. Garage Soul en Find somebody o You better run, pop de muchos quilates en A girl like you y el la versión de A place in the sun, que el año anterior había convertido en éxito un pujante Stevie Wonder (deleitense con su actuación con Tom Jones en el show de este). Gemas como How can I be sure (que fue un tremendo éxito ese año), I’m so happy now y la sensacional I don’t love you anymore. Aires latinos como Sueño (Love?) y el toque psicodélico de It’s love, y por supuesto ese himno que es Groovin´. Un disco injustamente soslayado.

I don't remember last time I listened to a mono album. If I eventually pop one of my ear drums, I'll be happy to listen to this over and over. 4 stars.

Groovin' is a genuinely cool record. On first listen I assumed it was little more than a Beatles-inspired record that didn’t offer much that was new. I couldn’t have been more wrong. After playing it three or four times across the day, the album really clicked. Tracks like You Better Run, I Don’t Love You Anymore and the title track Groovin’ are immediate highlights, but the truth is that most of the record is strong. It’s one of those albums that quietly grows on you until you realise how consistently good it is. At its core, this is pure 60s music: simple three-chord songwriting, pop and soul seamlessly blended, tasteful musical flourishes and straightforward, heartfelt lyrics. There’s nothing overcomplicated here, just great songs played with confidence and feel. Side two in particular is superb and really elevates the album as a whole. This is a record I’ll happily return to again and again. Favourite tracks: A Girl Like You and I’m So Happy Now — perfect examples of joyful, effortless 60s pop. Least favourite tracks: None — everything earns its place and contributes to the album. Album artwork: A very cool cover that suits the music perfectly.

Simple, delightful, easy-60s-listening

Heavy soul sound from a "blue eyed" pop band. A really enjoyable LP.

Fun, soulful, but pretty shallow

Slay

This was really good! I truly enjoyed it :) nice one to close the year.

This is a deceptive album. It feels like it should be a clear, run-of-the-mill 3 Star album. But it's such a crazy grab-bag of 60s styles - you've got some excellent blue eyed soul here ("A Girl Like You"), alongside snaky psychedelic rockers ("Find Somebody,") next to super-poppy Burt Bacharach cribs ("How Can I Be Sure?") - and then the joyful jam of the title track. It's a perfect encapsulation of the 1960s rock/pop/soul scenes. If I only had one record to play for someone who had never heard any music from that decade, I'd probably throw on Revolver - but if that isn't available this is a great shout. FOUR STARS

My wife and I, before we were married, listened to a lot of blue-eyed soul together, and The (Young) Rascals in particular. In fact, "Groovin'" was the song during our first dance at our wedding. We both agree now that if we had a chance to do it again, we'd choose "Naive Melody (This Must Be the Place)," nonetheless, I still have a soft spot for it. This sort of thing absolutely has an enduring appeal for me. It's a real joy to listen to, although there's a slackness to certain of the songs ("I Don't Love You Anymore" "Sueno"). They also really rock out a bit more than I recall, particularly on "You Better Run" (HATE the whistle effect through), as well as "A Girl Like You." Solid record, sounds of a totally bygone era. Is it soulful like, say, Al Green or Marvin Gaye is soulful? God no. But on its own merits it's quite good.

Liked Songs: - A Girl Like You - I'm so Happy Now - You Better Run - A Place in the Sun

Yes it’s quite an unoriginal record label reply to the Beatles, nevertheless thought there were some great tunes on this and really liked the drum sound. Great

Pretty good interested in hearing more

It was nice. Recognized grooving

A mix of psychedelia, soul, garage rock, and chamber pop(?). Also 60s as hell. Objectively not that great but damn is it well suited to my taste. Best song: Groovin’

In 2009 I read an intriguing book by Elijah Wald, How the Beatles Destroyed Rock ’n’ Roll, which argues that the history of popular music is usually told along the wrong lines. Critics obsess over artists who later came to be seen as revolutionary, while largely ignoring the music that most people actually listened to at the time. The result is a distorted canon. We endlessly discuss the Beatles, Louis Armstrong, or Duke Ellington, but forget about artists like Perry Como, Guy Lombardo, or Paul Whiteman — musicians who sold vast numbers of records and shaped the everyday musical environment of their era. That idea helps explain why albums like Groovin’ appear in this book. The question is whether they justify their place. This is, unmistakably, pop music. Pleasant, vocal-driven, carefully arranged, and largely free of instrumental excess. Nothing here is designed to challenge the listener; it’s meant to charm. And often, it does. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. The album flows smoothly, the melodies are agreeable, and there are no catastrophic misfires — though “I’m So Happy Now” comes close to sounding like pop detergent. What’s interesting is that the album’s strongest moments arrive when the band briefly steps outside the pop template. “Find Somebody,” by far the least-streamed track, is also the most adventurous, with an unexpectedly sharp guitar line that almost feels like a distant premonition of ’90s alternative rock. The audience, apparently, didn’t know what to do with it. The same goes for “You Better Run,” another highlight with a surprisingly muscular guitar presence. The more popular songs aren’t bad, though. “How Can I Be Sure” is a lovely single, elevated by an unusual accordion part, and the title track “Groovin’,” while undeniably sweet, is also irresistibly catchy and genuinely charming. Its sunny, almost Californian feel is amusingly misplaced for a band from New Jersey, but it works. Does Groovin’ belong in a serious account of 1960s pop history? In a year like 1967, when far more daring music was being made, maybe not on artistic grounds alone. But that’s precisely Wald’s point. This is the kind of music a huge audience actually embraced, carried with them, and were shaped by. It may not score highly on some imaginary Bach Index, but it captures something real about the era. So no, this album didn’t shake the world. But it does offer a clear snapshot of what mainstream pop sounded like when much of the supposed revolution was happening elsewhere. And that, in its own modest way, makes it worth hearing.

Dla mnie się podoba na 4. Próbują się odnaleźć jako Beatlesi, w gorszym wykonaniu, ale kilka partii zaskakujących i wpadających w ucho.

Surprisingly a little more fun and entertaining than I thought it would be.

Not bad

Huh, this one falls into the “year I was born release; I kinda like it” bucket! Not every song. But there are some bangers on here. Four stars!

Unique and fresh for 1966. Nice album.

Beautiful 60ies sound! Thank you for the link!

Groovin’ is the obvious hit

Some good ones.

Solid short & sweet album. A couple mainstream songs, but a lot unfamiliar late 60's tracks

I always loved listening to this album. I guess I still do.

I underestimated this album by its cover, but what a lovely album. I had never heard about this band before but they bring the best of 60s pop but also experimenting with different genres, and damn, this even have a Spanish version of this album. . 4/5

Good group from the 60’s. Fun music. Good sound.

Good band for the time. Horn and harmonica integration like other great bands. Overall well done.

This is fine. There’s a lot in this genre, and this is a middling example

like. no es de mis generos fav pero muy buen album todas las canciones me gustaron.

So this one was just fun and enjoyable! It gave me a little bit of a motown feel along with the groovin vibe. Its nothing amazing or life changing, but it is enjoyable and does differ some from song to song.

This was a lot of fun. It feels totally 60s but with poppy/wholesome AND hippie/psychedelic vibes, and they blend together well throughout the album. A Place in the Sun is my fave, but How Can I Be Sure, Sueno, Groovin', and It's Love are all so great too.

Nice feel good album that’s right up my alley. Sounds a bit like The Turtles and The Zombies. I only knew the title track off it, and I recognized the beginning of Sueno from a Tribe Called Quest song. The rest were all pleasant discoveries for me. Enjoyable music.

The wave of 60s pop following in the footsteps of the Beatles honestly sounds pretty tired and unoriginal to me, so I was pleasantly surprised that The Young Rascals managed to do something different here while still fitting into that same box. There's a good amount of variety between the songs, some of which are more generically 60's pop, some edging into Beatles-like psychedelia, and some showing a distinctly American swing and R&B influence that really differentiates this album from others in the genre.

I really enjoyed this album! A very typical 60s sound. A few songs I recognised too, which was a nice surprise 4 ⭐️

Rating: 3.5 Very pleasant departure from the more challenging or otherwise uninspiring stuff I’ve been getting for the last few days. They sound like The Beatles mixed with a more 50’s boy band. I actually listened to this twice because it lightened the mood so much.

War gut. You better run war mein Lieblingssong

Sure, they are chasing the coattails of The Beatles, but they do this really well. Actually better than most of the bands in the 1960s. Hell, Paul McCartney enjoyed them so much when he saw them debut in London that he came back the next night for another round!

Enjoyable, if a tad bit generic.

nice sound, i like it!

I've long believed The Rascals to be among the most underrated bands of their era. These dudes had a ton of pop chops with a decent flair for rock. I think one thing that holds them back from the acclaim they deserve (other than this, and multiple other, absolutely ghastly album covers) is the fact that they may be more of a Greatest Hits type of band. They've got a bunch of great tunes, but I'm not sure they have any one great album. I can't say this listen changed that opinion for me, but you won't catch me giving them even a mid rating when I know how much these boys cooked.

One of many Beatles imitators around at the time. However, this attempt to copy the Fab Four has been quite successful. Many songs appear to be catchy, with some surprising hooks, and a nice variety of songs throughout the album. I wasn't that convinced before listening to it, due to the mixed reviews; however, it scored much better for me than expected. Been doubting between giving it 3 and 4 stars, but will give it the benefit of the doubt, so 4 stars it is. 4/5

Nice beatlesque

I wanted to dislike it given 1) shit album cover 2) shit album name 3) shit band name and the fact that it feels the list is over stuffed with derivative late 60's American bands. Anyhow notwithstanding the above I was rather charmed by the album and its mix of pop/rock/soul.

i enjoyed this, lots of songs i'd revisit.

Chill

I enjoyed listening to this much more than I thought I would...it made a nice soundtrack to the morning. It's very late 60's and it's an awful album cover.

*Here’s another one I’ll use an A.I. construct to explain.* If you asked A.I. to make you a cliche pop-rock album from 1966, you’d end up with this. Rather than trying to explain the state of music in 1966 to someone, this album seems like it would be the easiest way to distill pop radio down into one album. I don’t say that as a bad thing either. The 34min of this record flew by, and I added 2 tracks to my Spotify ‘liked songs’ playlist. Admittedly, I accidentally put too much whiskey in my coffee this Saturday morning, and there’s a possibility I’m being overly generous here. “Groovin’”, is the most played song from this album on Spotify, and it’s easy see why it would end up on 60s playlists. The other, “You Better Run”, is a fun proto-new wave track that certainly furthered the concept of blue-eyed soul. It feels a little weird to listen to this objectively middle-of-the-road album and consider giving it 4 stars, but here I am.

i liked it thiiis much

I'm groovin'

This album is really good, it's a very nice listening. It's not great, but pleasant and entertaining. The music is well done and it has some different sounds that make the album flow and not feel repetitive or plain. It was nice, I liked it.

Favorite: I don't love you anymore and You better run I really like the songs Sueno, Groovin', I don't love you anymore and You Better Run I definitely like the second half of this album better than the first.

This is a very fun record that has a lot of creative aspects to it. I imagine in its day it got lost in the whole Beatles / Beach Boys thing. Very good performances and production. The songs are solid tho a few border on a little goofy. Overall a great record that I am glad I was introduced to in this project.

One of the more interesting sounding albums I've uncovered through this list I must say! Didn't sound too much like a copy of The Kinks, Beatles or Beach Boys. Found 'Groovin' and 'A Girl Like You' to be particularly interesting, but overall I enjoyed the unexpectedly good composition and interesting sound of the album! Weak 4.

great

Wait this was surprisingly good

I already knew the song Groovin', but there are numerous other catchy tunes on this record.

Fav: Groovin’ Least Fav: If You Knew What a terrible album cover, I’ll be seeing that in my nightmares

Classic blue eyed soul with strong songs

What a lovely little collection of bops

This was a lot more jaunty and entertaining than what I was expecting from an album cover like that. They make themselves look like The Beatles but slightly worse and kind of end up going in a different direction while still clearly being Beatles inspired. Regardless, it's just good fun.

Слушал в моно. Интересно, надо бы ещё послушать, поискать.

Bit of a weaker ending, but the album overall was quite solid.

Fun! This is such a product of its time, it’s like 3-4 different styles all mashed into one album. It was funny hearing the early-Beatles-esque pop followed by big band followed by that kinda psychedelic pop.

This is NOT Brian Wilson

8/1001 The Young Rascals - Groovin' Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ✅ A bit of light psych rock, a bit of soul. This all comes together in a very enjoyable way. Just how different it is from other stuff in the 60s, I honestly can't say, but it all felt very familiar.

A short pleasant listen.

Väldigt lätt att gilla. Tycker inte det är en klockrena fyra, men tillräckligt bra för att slippa en medioker trea. Det händer ändå mycket lattjo. Sen tror jag inte jag kommer lyssna mer på detta.

Kul överraskning! Poppigt och enkelt att tycka om redan vid första genomlyssningen. Jag gillar det mestadels rockiga med den lite lagom psykadeliska fonden och att det är en del sköna funkiga inslag också. Hög nivå rakt igenom.

New to me and I like it! Of course I had heard of the Young Rascals before but had never listened to them.

Chilled and good vibes. Felt a lot like the Beatles

Real peaceful music

Great 60’s rock sound combined with some doo wop and groove. Really enjoyed this.

Something new I discovered and liked quite a bit!

Pretty great stuff. How Can I Be Sure was one of my favorite songs as a kid, but I’d only hear it when my dad played the classic rock station. I’d forgotten completely about it! Then Groovin’ came on, and I understood immediately how this album got a slot on this list. A lot of people here have shrugged this off as a forgettable Beatles imitation. I think there’s more here than that. If anything, it was good to hear a band I didn’t know about, who surprised me with two hits that sent me back to childhood.

Gillade ändå, kanske återkommer till!

I grew up with the Rascals-- they were one of my mom's favorite groups. There was more than one mix tape featuring a Rascals song. "Good Lovin'", "In The Midnight Hour", and "Groovin'" are all songs I recall from my childhood. Revisiting this stuff was such a treat. Their sound is refreshing and holds up still today.

Nice

I didn't like the start of this album but it grew on me. I don't know if it's a strength or weakness that the album is tapping into to so many *different* 60's vibes -- from seemingly squeaky-clean crooning to rough guitar rock to hints of early psychedelic. As a whole, it's a fascinating time capsule.

Grupo italoamericano de NJ , simpático, astral bacana, boas composições. 4 estrelas

Lot more fun than anticipated.

Went in only knowing one song (which I don't even particularly care for) but enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. Some good solid pop songs. Love the organ on 'You Better Run'. Favorites: A Girl Like You, Sueno, How Can I Be Sure, You Better Run Would I listen to it again: Yes

Dad- 7 Mom- 8.5 Mike- 7.5 Lori- 7 Michael- 7 Miles- 7 Cole- 7 Avg- 7.29

Despite assuming this was going to be entirely fine, it turned out to be great! This sort of melancholic and wilting happiness is very much a bit of me.

Regardless of what distinction the sound that came out of the late 60s SoCal Canyon mean's to people today, the Young Rascals are indicative and Groovin' in endemic to that sound. This album yielded a number of impressive hits that still stand to this day. 3.5/5

I was a little surprised by this album. I was previously familiar with Good Lovin' (not on this album) and Groovin' but no other songs by The (Young) Rascals. However, then I realized when listening that I recognized quite a few of these songs. This is firmly in "oldies" territory rather than "classic rock" in the instrumentation and song structure. The songs are really good; I would listen to this again.

Enjoyed this! Psych pop with tasty harmonies and interesting instrumentation.

Happy 60s album

Really enjoyed it

Guay

16/03/25 I had never heard of this band before. It was a good album.

Not an artist I was familiar with (other than the name) but it was a nice pop record.

It is very good 60's rock with soul music influences. I saw several people's comments that this recored sounded like a knock off of The Beatles or trying to imulate them in some way. This record came out in 67 when The Beatles released SPLHCB. Now it may just be me but this record sounds nothing like that, not sure what they were listening to. This record is very soulful and had some very iconic tunes and the band definitely had their own sound.

Groovin’ by The Young Rascals might not have redefined the ‘60s music landscape, but it’s a fascinating gem that shows the band experimenting with soul, psychedelia, and Latin influences. While it never quite reaches the heights of its more celebrated contemporaries, its best moments—Groovin’, How Can I Be Sure, You Better Run—prove The Young Rascals were capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the big names of the era. It’s an album that feels slightly overlooked, a reminder that not every great album from the ‘60s became a cultural monolith—but some are still well worth discovering.

One of positives of this exercise is the reminders of forgotten great music. And the forgotten music leads to an appreciation of an entire album not heard before. This is one of those albums.

Interesting use of instruments, some real nice songs

A solid example of its genre, though not the most famous. I had already heard How Can I Be Sure and Groovin, so I was glad to hear the rest. You Better Run was the biggest surprise, some welcome hard rockin

What an enjoyable album, I want this on vinyl for evenings when I’m thinking about life. Sure it’s reminiscent of the Beatles in a lot of ways but I don’t think in this case it is a bad thing compared to other similar sounding albums. They have their own voice here that’s representative of the time and isn’t a copycat. That’s refreshing. They touch on some beautiful motifs around love and depression and loneliness and yet I feel upbeat somehow. Groovin is a great track and find somebody eerily has a similar opening sound hard days night

This was really pretty great -- a time capsule in the best ways.

Groovin is one of my favourite songs of all time. First listen, I didn't much care for the songs I didn't know, but this is actually a really great album start to finish

Beam me back to 1967 because this was groovy as hell!!!!!

Never listened to this album before so I'm surprised by how many classic songs there are. And a couple that I've never heard that were surprisinly good (Sueno was my favorite). For an absurdly pop LP, its pretty impressive.

Fun rock and soul from the late '60s. They also verged on some psychedelic sounds while being very mainstream. Hard not to like this.

I like it, and it gave me a cute song to send to gravy. 4/5

Good album

Enjoyable listen, but this album really feels like it was just made as a cash grab because of Groovin'. I don't really have a whole lot of input on this one, but I did really enjoy the organs for some reason. They scratched a part of my brain I didn't know I needed scratched. Solid listen, would listen again. But Christ what a horrific album cover.

I'm into it, and I agree; it is Groovin'. It transcends the 60s and doesn't feel tethered to that time. It's just the right amount of nostalgia.

good clean fun!

Sunshine perfection with a hint of the psychedelia they would embrace. Groovin' is sublime.

This is what this list is all about-- I knew a couple of songs off this album and they weren't even the best ones! have a new respect for the 60s magic of TYR.

I’m pretty impressed with this. It’s such a varied record with so much going for it, and lots of styles and genres. It says it’s psychedelic on here, but that’s only really one track among many. The rest has swells of brass, flutes and even an accordion. He has a great singing voice and it’s just generally solid throughout the whole thing.

This really fucking rocks when it goes for it, and it's a lot more authentic than popular albums that have been digitally remastered into oblivion. Reminded me of The Stone Roses in places, The White Stripes in others.

Not heard much at all from these dudes before. Great discovery. Very enjoyable, groovy (stating the obvious) pop sound. Reminds me quite a bit of Small Faces.

Kind of basic as they say blue-eyed soul music. There's some good stuff here including the hits Groovin', How Can I Be Sure, and A Girl Like You. The cover of A Place in the Sun was unexpected, but it was alright. I immediately listened to Stevie Wonder's afterwards and yeah, his is superior. This doesn't sound like a glowing album review, but I enjoy this kind of music, and I will throw it on again at some point, so I'll give it an above average 4/5.

It's good. reminds me of the kinks and the monkees and the animals. Not quite Beatles or Beach Boys, but reminds me of them too. A lot of variation. And none of it is bad. Not only traditional rock instruments, also violins and stuff. Favorite song: you better run

Classic

Upbeat, fun soul sound, catchy tunes. Competent soul pop.

First song and title track were standouts. It’s not quite as good as the Beatles or Monkees, but it’s still the sort of music I listened to a lot as a kid and still like. It also does feel rather varied, a bit soulful, a bit psychedelic, and this made for a light breezy listen.

So, like, I listened to this while stress-cooking for Thanksgiving, but even still, I recognized this as a good type of This Music (which is already music I like). I honestly expected to be bored of it, but I wasn't; the songs felt distinct and fun. Looking forward to listening more. 4 stars.

These guys are pretty good!

Groovy baby!

Didn't expect much from this album and was pleasantly surprised. It combines so many traditional 1960s elements and even later stuff. It sounds bit like The Beatles, a bit like War, a bit like CCR, a bit like harder stuff and lots of R&B with latin elements. I understand perfectly why this album is on the list!

Blue-eyed soul, R&B. Está bien. Un 4.

I reviewed The Yardbirds’ “Roger the Engineer” recently and I felt that it was a good sum up of what the ‘60s had to offer musically, but with none of those styles being done super well. However, here, I feel like the idea that this is the ‘60s in a nutshell perfectly describes not just the musical styles of the record but the quality as well. The album just gets better and better as it goes along, with some of its most interesting cuts coming towards the end. There’s a little bit of The Kinks, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Paul Simon, all coming together to make an album filled with tons of great songs. At the end of the day, it’s just another ‘60s pop rock record, but it’s done better than a lot of the ones that make it on this list.

It was in fact groovin’.

actually pretty solid album, the last 5 tracks were just banger after banger; 4.25

I didn't expect to care for this much, but at least musically this album avoids falling into the tropes of similar bands. I found the tracks "Find Somebody," "A Place in the Sun," and "It's Love" to be fairly enjoyable.

Really nice 60s Soul/RnB with some blues elements.

I'm a sucker for 60s pop I guess, I really like this. I don't think it's as great as some other music of it's era, but it's solid, sweet, and mixes up the instruments like a good pop album should.

This was a nice album, I love that 60’s sound. None of the songs really stood out that much for me, apart from Groovin

Pleasant and relatively inoffensive. The inescapable shadow of the Beatles and psychedelics looms large over this and frankly every pop album from this time period. An interesting snapshot. 8/10

Psych and Latin tinged blue eyed soul from the masters.

Not really much to say on this, but it's some nice soul tracks that groove nicely. 3.5 bumped to 4.

It’s a pretty good 3.5 that I’ll bump up to 4. This doesn’t really get up to a 5 for me, but with another knockout hit or two on here, in that almost timeless “would hear on a medicine commercial made for the boomers” sort of way, I think it would’ve gotten close. Regardless of that, I enjoyed this a lot – it’s very steeped in its time of people trying to catch the success of The Beatles in their own way, but this album tends to feel more original than that. The only times it misses are the moments where tracks feel a little too Beatle-y, namely “If You Knew”, which just felt aggressively OK. I just thought this was rather nice – a lot of the tracks clicked with my sensibilities, and I thought the instrumentation throughout the album was really strong. There’s a bit of bossa nova in here, some jazz, and even stuff that sounds kinda like Stevie Wonder, which adds up, considering the “A Place in the Sun” cover (by the way, a big thank you to The Young Rascals for introducing me to a new Stevie song). It’s not a great album, but it’s a very enjoyable listen, with some fun melodies, some good vocal structures, and some good vibes throughout. It’s very much a 60s album, but it’s the sort of 60s album that I enjoy. I’m fine with going up to a 4, and I’m glad it’s on the list.

Really strong album, despite only one well-known track (6, Groovin'). There are some firmly 60s vibes in places, especially with the harmonies; in others, it feels like a timeless 'crooney', loungey sound with intricate layers, incl. orchestra and horns etc. It's quite sophisticated, or at least interesting, in places.

These guys seem to be somewhat forgotten or underrated in hindsight. Some great musical variety here!

Real solid pop music here. A traditional radio song structure. Not exactly innovative, but solid and reliable. Good melodies, good singing, good range of styles, relatable lyrics. More depth than you’d expect. No surprise there were so many singles. 4/5

It was, in fact, groovin'. I don't think I've ever heard the devastating line 'I don't love you anymore' delivered with such cheeriness. Solid songwriting and enjoyable the whole time, though lacking somewhat of a star quality for me, especially for '67

This is actually quite lovely happy-go-lucky 60s pop music.

I really enjoy when I happen to own the record of the daily album. We got to listen to this one on vinyl, which I think makes it more special. The Rascals are great. Always a fun listen.

Never heard of the genre "Blue-Eyed Soul," but I love it. Effectively white dudes making soulful music. Didn't expect to find anything I recognized here, but I've heard the intro to Sueno countless times in Lost My Wallet in El Segundo. Also I do recognize the title track "Groovin'." Classic soul track. I Don't Love You Anymore reminds me a lot of some of the songs on Zappa's Freak Out (specifically Any Way the Wind Blows). Wow I did not know that Benatar's You Better Run is a cover. Both versions are solid and, while Benatar certainly took an 80s rock spin on the concept, I enjoy the messy soulfulness of this original. Surprisingly solid soulful-psych album -- 4 / 5

This album cover absolutely rules. Also tough decisions on Spotify if I want to listen to this in Mono, Spanish, or Italian. This is just a no nonsense good album from the 60s with some soul, jazz, and rock elements to it. This is the kind of music that I love when it pops up on here.

Upon getting deep into Groovin' by The Young Rascals, one can pinpoint where the band shakes off the "Young" moniker and start becoming a jack-of-all-trades band who value maturity over ear piercing absurdity. This short but sweet psychedelia/soul/Latin musical patchwork is often displayed to wondrous effect in an era where the tides were changing faster than the time it took to change clothes. After this, The Rascals would look, sound and feel like a different band; they just needed to have a little bit of groove. Favorites: A Girl Like You, Find Somebody, I'm So Happy Now, Sueno, How Can I Be Sure, Groovin', I Don't Love You Anymore, A Place in the Sun.

85% Fav: A Girl Like You, How Can I Be Sure, Groovin', I Don't Love You Anymore, You Better Run Least: N/A Must-Hear? Yeah

3.5 stars. Title track is the standout, great song. But the rest of the blue-eyed soul album is pretty good too. Other enjoyable tracks are "Sueno" and "It's Love".

Grovinn' Rock from 67.

First half feels like: Mom can we have the Beetles? No we have Beetles at home. Beetles at home - this album. Just felt like a cheap knockoff at first, but they really come into their own in the second half of the album and start using really unique instrumentation. I wish they had done that the entire album but better late than never.

Raga non mi aspettavo nulla e invece che bella sorpresa. Sicuramente nulla di rivoluzionario ma il groove mi ha messo un sacco di allegria. Sono pazzo se dico che in certi punti mi hanno ricordato i Beatles?

ihan säänkestävää.. ja mukava vokalisti herra

Good listen. Def had that 60's vibe. Not really at all cartoonish/silly as the cover art might suggest.

Fun 60s pop. Enjoyed. 4/5

Эмоционально трогательная музыка, очень мягкая

Some great songs here. How Can I Be Sure, I Don't Love You Anymore and It's Love are my favourites.

Another great album. I quite like a lot of these 'older' albums from the 60's and 70's as the artists didn't feel the need to pad the album out with shite. Very often the best albums are the ones with 8 to 12 strong tracks that leave you wanting more.

Groovy

Vibing with the sound from the get-go, 3 tracks so far that I think were really good. Solid.

Eh, did not have a lot of expectations with that album cover. Turns out it was alright! Pretty cool.

Raga non mi aspettavo nulla e invece che bella sorpresa. Sicuramente nulla di rivoluzionario ma il groove mi ha messo un sacco di allegria. Sono pazzo se dico che in certi punti mi hanno ricordato i Beatles?

Very nice

ziemlich chilliges 60s album

I would not have been able to tell you any of the songs from these guys, but I have recognized, How Can I Be Sure, Groovin, and I don't Love You Anymore. I like the sound of the voice. Reminds me of some of those black bands like Delphonics. The whole album has had that sound. You Better Run is good too! A little angry and harder rock sound. Wouldn't have thought this would have gotten more than a 3 but this is a solid 4!

OK, a bit dated

I'd never heard of this and was very pleasantly surprised. A great sound (of its time) and some brilliant songs.

4, realmente estaba groovin

I was a little surprised how much I enjoyed this album, it was a 3 that turned into a 4 for me.

More 60s. Nostalgic. But musically, a 4.

This had some fun stuff. Groovin' is such a classic.

At a certain point in the 60’s, it’s hard to tell what is rock and what is R&B. Regardless, this was the golden era for R&B

I enjoyed this album from top to bottom. It was fun, it was dynamic. It felt consistent and experimental.

Despite their ridiculous album cover and band name, "Groovin'" is a surprisingly solid album. Poppy and catchy, it reminds me of the early Beatles and Byrds. Standouts include "A Girl Like You" and "I'm So Happy Now."

A girl Find Somebody How Can I Be Sure Groovin’ You Better Run One of my more favorable 60’s albums. Very uplifting and groovy melody’s. Fun to drive to and chill

4.5 stars. They really didn't lie when they said they were groovin. A very enjoyable album with some genre variety, especially impressive for the 60s. The title track is great. "I Don't Love you Anymore" also has some great vocals. Lots of excellent mounds coming together for this album.

It's pleasant, but varied enough it can veer into garage rock at one end, and the bucolic Groovin' at the other. With the exception of that track I don't think it has any other all time great songs, but it's a solid run of fours!

Good music, but a bit boring for my taste. Until now, I always thought Groovin was sung by a black R&B group. Surprised to discover it was written and performed by some dorky white dudes from New Jersey. Caught me again… worth 4 stars.

I was a bit nervous when I saw the pick, but once listening I realized how many songs I recognized from when I was a kid and I'd listen to the oldies station at night before bed. Some of these tracks had me surprised as these white boys got more soul than I expected

Definitely my favourite album cover so far. A fun 60s beat combo again. Second of the week. Probably getting an MOR score, as nothing much to write home about aside from the fantastic Groovin'. They're more soulful for sure. Blue eyed soul they call it. More on that in a minute. Two or three standouts like Sueno and How Can I Be Sure. Tbf, it gets stronger as it goes on, the whole side B is great. With the notable exception of A Place in the Sun which is strangely near 5 minutes long and a pale shade compared to Stevie's version. I hate the contemporary trend of white artists taking black artists songs and turning them into hits (though apparently this wasn't a single), but it happened, have to try to just judge things on their own merits at this distance. And well, this is a shit cover version. So, somewhat patchy, but the sun is out and it's a Sunday so we're Groovin' and this just shades a 4.

it was pretty good! i really disliked "How Can I Be Sure" but "Groovin'" was nice. feel like i want to knock them for the horrible abuse of stereo panning on "Find Somebody" but i knew going in that when a 1960s album proclaims "STEREO" on the front, there's going to be some panning shenanigans and yet i listened to the stereo version. I feel like most of the record sounded like music that was lower down on the list of songs considered for GOTG: Vol. 1, for if they couldn't clear the rights for the songs they got, but i like that vibe.

actually pretty banging and surprisingly interesting for a '60s record. I was expecting heaps of 12-bar-bore but this was kinda fire. 4/5

Lekkere chill muziek

I left my wallet in El Segundo ATCQ sample, mooi, voor de rest voor zon oud album klinkt dit erg lekker, i like!

Beach Boys vibe Wel echt lekkere muziek Zin in de zomer man Fun fact: van het nummer "Groovin' " is er ook een Italiaanse en Spaanse versie

"I don't know what it's all about"

4.0

Pop rock. This album was warm and cherry from start to finish, I think the gospel elements can be thanked for that. I was really roped in by the first song and the good vibes stayed until the end, dang near listened to it again right after. Lots of fun instrumentation added, like some Spanish guitar, accordion, piano. Every song seemed to have a little thing special about it, all wrapped together with the underlying band and their powerful vocalist. I had a great time with this album overall, but my big nitpick was mixing and production. I could only find the mono versions and while that's not normally a death sentence, this time many songs just did not sound very good. I'd really like to revisit this album, maybe there's a better sounding version somewhere. 4/5

Not bad. Made me feel like I missed out. Psychedelics were far out man.

Yes hahahahahaah yes!

My first album! Still like it.

Really nice! Listened to it 3 times. Was also thinking: I knowthat Lyric from "How Can I Be Sure, In a World That Is constantly changing......". Tricky sings/raps in Aftermath (of Maximquaye album)! That guy knows his classics. Addictive album, 4 stars

I gotta say this one surprised me. The number of genres/styles The Young Rascals hit in 34 minutes is impressive: funk, bassa nova, doo wap, french waltz, R&B, the list goes on. I was initially dissuaded by how similar the themes of love were across the tracklist but they varied that toward the end of the album. All in all, especially compared to their pre-prog rock contemporaries, they made something pretty cool here. 4/5.

What I thought would be another 60's rock album, turned out to be a really great listen. Versatile, experimental and put in a nicely packed box called "rock and roll" that survived to this day.

Solid 60s music

Okay this is a pretty great album and I like how they used the left and right speakers and cool sound effects. Really well written and performed, especially for an era when this kind of rock can be so conventional and commercialized.

Completely unknown to me and a pleasant surprise. Real 60s flower power feel and thoroughly enjoyable

Enjoyable 60s pop rock

Quite enjoyed this one. Listen again for sure. Buffalo Springfield sound

Classic good time Sunday tunes. I was raised on this music, it just feels good and welcoming. Groovin’ is a way of life.

How did I know from the first song, that they were local boys? It’s very late 60s NY/NJ. There’s something of the city in their sound. It’s big and romantic like doo-wop, without the dreamy idealism of the west coast. You can hear how they practiced singing in acoustic spaces like stairwells and subway stations. Real solid pop music here. A traditional radio song structure. Not exactly innovative, but solid and reliable. Good melodies, good singing, good range of styles, relatable lyrics. More depth than you’d expect. No surprise there were so many singles. The song Groovin’ never gets old. Never realized Pat Benatar covered You Better Run. The original slaps. Added a bunch of tracks to my mixes. Overall, there is nothing to hate on. It’s classic. It’s a time capsule, while also adaptable for modern audiences. So much of this could be covered today and still be a hit.

A very good listen, The Young Rascals knew how to build great soul flavored pop hits.

Heard quite a few familiar tunes on this album. Never really gave this band a listen on their own. Pretty decent

Kind of like a jazzy, more rocky Beach Boys! Very cool songs with a less traditional approach to song writing. The vocals are great and instrumentally very strong! Standout tracks: A Girl Like You, Find Somebody, Sueno, How Can I Be Sure, Groovin’, I Don’t Love You Anymore, You Better Run, 8,5 out of 10

Enjoyable to listen to. Nearly every song from this album sounds like the theme song to a classic movie that feels comforting to watch. The band and musicians are really on point, there was one song where I felt the guitar overpowered the vocals but thats it in terms of bad stuff to say. The vocalist is really good and his control of vibrato and tone are impressive. My favourite songs were "Groovin'" and "I don't love you anymore". This album was pretty good and I would listen to some of the songs again.

Really enjoyed the album. Don’t typically enjoy music from this era, but these guys seem to understand catchy is best. They are much more than the song Groovin (great song) but there is more substance to this music. Enjoyed it lots! 4/5

Only about half the songs were on Spotify last time I looked, but they're all there now. Not sure why they were not huge, or why they have been forgotten if they were a big deal. 4 🌟

A lot of folks saying that this is trying to ride The Beatles' coat tails... To me, it sounds more like they were trying to copy Motown if anything, or rather a synthesis of both those sounds. Honestly I quite liked this. Only knew the title track, and while I'm not sure I'd call the album "essential", it's a cool little overlooked gem. A nice and soothing 4 from me.

Groovin indeed.

Very good Standouts: Groovin', How Can I Be Sure, You Better Run, A Girl Like You, Find Somebody 4/5

Style très sixties (normal), j'adore.

I enjoyed this a lot. I didn't listen with headphones so I need to do that.

ooo I'm already having fun! Super listenable and fun -- tons of genres, a true pop album from the time period! The songs aren't super memorable but it was truly just extremely listenable but not outstanding.

I really enjoyed it. Not every track was a hit but every second one.

Kind of fun

nice album ! ca groove ca c'est clair. 4.25

I liked this more than I thought I would. Added to the librRy

fun

Pretty polished clean late 60's pop... plenty of choruses and simple guitar/horns work. The tunes are pretty simple and melodic. My notes of interest... it seemed like somebody just discovered stereo in mixing this album (Find Somebody)... hard cuts from left to right and back left. Nothing natural about them showing what stereo could do. Also, I Don't Love You Anymore is painful... they just sound like wounded dogs trying to sing some of these melodies. I like the rest of the album, so i'm going to pretend they didn't include this track. Also love to discover that this is where Pat Benatar's cover comes from.

Listenable and even enjoyable

first listen great record

I'm grooving with Groovin'. There isn't much to say about this album since it's pretty simple overall. I was expecting some generic white boys from the 60's to sing about beaches or holding hands but instead was surprised that it was the era of when groovy music started coming in. I like it 7/10

Feel good music to feel good to. Nothing overly exciting or unique but it really does a good job at the genre its sticking too. It is pleasant to listen to, the instrumentals are clean and the singing is nice. The titular song ‘Groovin’ is a banger. Didn’t expect to be blown away and I wasn’t, nevertheless I enjoyed it. 7/10

Very funky and enjoyable album

I started the listening session, mildly interested, and by the end of the album I was all in. How Can I Be Sure is a song that I will always stop and listen to when it comes on the radio. The first notes are haunting. I didn’t know that You Better Run was a cover for Pat Benetar. I like both versions. The song Sueno was a bit of a cipher. Other than a few guitar notes and saying guitar in Spanish, it was all English. Even the word dreams was, well, dreams. Why name it Sueno? Artistic license I guess.