Was Gary Pucket and The Union Gap a band ahead of its time?

I remember when Gary Pucket and The Union Gap released their first recording. I thought at that time…wow…this music is way ahead of its time and that was in the 60s. Their musical arrangements and lyrics were and still are outstanding today. Great songs like Willpower, Young Girl and Over You. Each of their songs had meaning then and still carries over today. Question: Gary Puckett and The Union Gap were just one of the many bands ahead of its time in the 60’s. Were there others? Which was your favorite and why?