Take Me For What I'm Worth

The Searchers were not only slipping in popularity by the time of this release, but were also slipping considerably behind the prevailing musical trends of the times. Maybe that's why they offered more original tunes (four) than usual. Still, the group sounded pretty much like they always did in the mid-'60s, though this is perhaps one of their weaker albums. Their interpretation of P.F. Sloan's anthemic protest folk-rock title track is good, and gave the group their final British Top 20 hit. But, as usual, their R&B covers (of Fats Domino and Marvin Gaye) are inoffensively second-rate and dated, and the originals equally inoffensive and unmemorable. Their cover of The Ronettes' "Be My Baby" is competent but ill-advised; nothing's going to compete with the original. The harmonies and arrangements are never less than pleasant and professional, but even big fans of the group will count this among their lesser relics. It does, however, include a couple of their better album tracks: a cover of the obscure Jackie DeShannon composition "Each Time" and, especially, a fine acoustic reading of Ian Tyson's "Four Strong Winds." ~ Richie Unterberger