The Searchers' 1963 debut LP was typical of most early British Invasion albums, built around one hit ("Sugar and Spice," a number one hit in the U.K.) and 11 covers of American rock & roll standards. This wasn't destined to be remembered as an artistic statement along the lines of
With the Beatles, but it's better than the average period artifact, due to the group's always enjoyable harmonies and arrangements. Actually, nearly half of the tracks are first-rate. Their energetic rave-up of
the Coasters' "Ain't That Just Like Me" was actually a minor U.S. hit; "All My Sorrows" was an excellent arrangement of a
Glenn Yarborough song that foreshadowed folk-rock; and "Hungry for Love" has the irresistibly saccharine appeal of
Gerry & the Pacemakers' early hits. ~ Richie Unterberger