What makes Side 3 by Raspberries notable?

Side 3 is significant for its critical reception, receiving praise from outlets like Rolling Stone for its sophisticated songwriting and production. Although it didn't achieve commercial chart success like its predecessors, it has since been recognized as an influential work within the power pop genre, impacting future artists with its melodic style and lyrical depth. Released in January 1973, Side 3 is the third studio album from Raspberries, following their successful album Fresh. At this point in their career, the band was navigating a shift towards a more mature sound while still harnessing their catchy pop sensibilities, reflecting both growth and experimentation.

How many songs are on Side 3?

Side 3 has 9 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

Side 3

Raspberries · 1973

35 min · 9 tracks · power pop

A vibrant blend of melodic hooks and emotional sincerity, encapsulating the essence of early 70s power pop.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Tonight — Opening the album with a sweeping melody and heartfelt lyrics, this track sets the emotional tone and showcases the band's knack for infectious hooks.
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Last Dance — This song combines lush harmonies with poignant lyrics about longing, illustrating the band's ability to blend melancholy with uplifting melodies.
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I'm a Rocker — With its driving rhythm and assertive lyrics, this track embodies a shift towards a more rock-oriented sound while retaining the band's pop roots.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodies and varied tempos but lacks a cohesive flow throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

Several songs incorporate layered harmonies and guitar solos, particularly in the choruses, enhancing their melodic appeal.
The album closes with a track that features a gradual fade-out, creating a sense of resolution after the preceding emotional intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Tonight 4:06
2 Last Dance 3:36
3 Making It Easy 3:10
4 On the Beach 4:20
5 Hard to Get Over a Heartbreak 3:51
6 I'm a Rocker 5:10
7 Should I Wait 3:51
8 Ecstasy 3:37
9 Money Down 4:01

What to play next

Listen next

Starting Over

1974

Go back to

Raspberries

1972

Full Raspberries discography Artists like Raspberries

power pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata