Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Paul Revere and the Raiders relocated to Los Angeles where they became stars of Dick Clark’s Where the Action Is! show, which ran from June 1965 to March 1967.
Aside from being TV celebrities, the band attacked the airwaves with a slew of singles such as “Steppin’ Out,” “Just Like Me,” “Kicks” and “Hungry” that combined a raunchy punch with just the right amount of congeniality to elevate the guys to teen-idol status.
By the time Paul Revere and the Raiders issued Something Happening (Columbia Records), lead singer Mark Lindsay and keyboardist Paul Revere were the only members left in the group from the fertile Where the Action Is! days. Revamped and retooled, the lineup now also included lead guitarist Freddy Weller, bassist Charlie Coe and drummer Joe Carrero Jr.
Something Happening was the album where Paul Revere and the Raiders aimed to discard their image as the colonial-war costumed clowns of Where the Action Is! and be taken seriously for their music. Although the band’s songs were always well-honed and supplied no shortage of excitement, snooty critics failed to recognize the power and enthusiasm of their work.
Paul Revere and the Raiders did indeed push forward on Something Happening, creating a stunning selection of sounds involving intrepid arrangements, dazzling chops and sonic innovation.
Rooted in a repertoire of soul-strutting horns, heavy-duty guitar riffing and fat drum rolls, “Communication (Part 1 & 2)” captured the group firing on all cylinders with utter conviction. Another highpoint on Something Happening is “Burn Like a Candle,” which moves to a catchy-and-casual cadence before segueing into a spacey instrumental jam rife with distorted droning.
Mark Lindsay’s breathy snarl compounded with driving rhythms to form “Too Much Talk,” until the pace slows and turns into a sleepy wash of psychedelic reverie. “Get Out of My Mind” follows a similar pattern, as the song rocks mean and mighty, then ends on a trippy blurry-eyed note.
Stamped with sun-kissed melodies and a giddy tempo, “Happens Every Day” is a scrumptious slice of flower pop, while the equally euphoric “Love Makes the World Go Round (Don’t You Let It Stop)” bubbles and bounces to a Calypso beat.
The release of Something Happening coincided with Paul Revere and the Raiders hosting another Dick Clark television program called Happening ’68, which was later shaved down to simply Happening. In promotion of the series, the album begins with “Happening Intro” and concludes with a songs called “Happening ’68” that swings and swivels to a funky groove and compelling hooks.
A prime piece of progressive pop rock, Something Happening saw Paul Revere and the Raiders experimenting without losing their own sense of self. Spirited singing and premium-grade playing revealed the band to be at the top of their game on this under-appreciated album.
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