Search - Association :: Greatest Hits!

Safer than Prozac more legal than pot

Fred Jarvis | Matlock Canada | 04/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yeah... I'm giving this CD a five star rating even though I know that it's missing a lot of The Associations lesser known material. Other titles from Windy and earlier albums weren't included but there's only so much you can (or could) fit onto a vinyl pressing and this is an accurate CD copy of the album that came out in 68. It is too bad everything that a great band puts out can't be in one package but that doesn't make this any less of a fine album. Some people go on about how the music is too sappy, saccharine, sugary yadda yadda yadda... OK, for some people it is (or was) but not everyone who listens to an album is a middle aged man or woman. I mean let's put this in perspective. When this album came out there were a lot of boomers around who were just kids. I was 13 yrs. old when this album came out and thought it was fantastic then. That was when I blew my allowance on my first copy of it. Being 13 in the late sixties it was pretty easy to fall into the illusion of loving everyone, honesty, freedom, flowerpower and all that fantasy stuff. Yes... it was just a dream but it was a beautiful one especially when you're young and naive enough to actually believe the world is that way. I bought another copy of it somewhere around 78 when I had a real stereo (instead of one where I had to stack nickles on the tonearm so it wouldn't skip). Had to put that copy on audiotape because it was getting worn after a few parties where a lot of people too young to remember the band wanted to hear it. A nice innocent fantasy can make you feel real great and I think a lot of kids can still relate and understand on a very basic emotional level. It's nice to feel good!Picked up the CD of this a few years ago and still get a rush when I hear Time For Livin, remember my 1st girlfriend and the smell of patchouli incense. I think what this album captures is the magick of being innocent even if it is just a memory once you've become jaded and cynical. Besides that the harmonies are beautiful and very much unique for today or even the time the album was released. It's a pleasant diversion from cussing at the television or looking for something to throw at the neighbor's cat. It's a nice album and I like it... end of rant."

Decent but flawed collection

Greg Brady | Capital City | 03/02/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This collection for the 60s vocal group contains everything the average Association fan will want and a few extra surprises. The "big 4" hits: "Never my Love","Cherish","Windy" and "Along Comes Mary" are all here, along with lesser charters "Everything that Touches You" and "Requiem for the Masses". Only "Pandora's Golden Heebie Jeebies" appears to be left out hitwise. Most importantly, these are NOT re-recorded versions by the current touring band. (Yes, they still play live..)



Of the other material, "Time for Livin'" is a passable breezy pop ditty. "No Fair at All" is a decent breakup lament, although its melody derives quite a bit too close to "Cherish" for comfort. "Six Man Band" contains some surprisingly acid rock guitar for a band known for mellow sounds.



For those of you who are Association diehards, the Rhino 2CD "Just the Right Sound"(ASIN:B00005Y1Y5) is your best bet, containing all their singles through 1972 save "No Fair at All". It also has obscurities from Russ Giguere and Bijou, though it leaves out my favourite odd Association moment (late period album track "Broccoli", a goofy novelty ode to the oft-lamented vegetable.)"

Some Splendid Songs

Greg Brady | 06/17/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Association has all but faded into oblivion, but in their day, lest it need be said, they were quite something. Interestingly, the two hits that they are most remembered for, "Cherish" and "Never My Love", are relatively bland and formulaic compared to some of their other offerings. When I was in my early teens, I would play "Along Comes Mary" again and again. I could not even discern the lyrics, much less understand what they meant- nor did I care what they meant. As it turns out, they consist of poetic references to marijuana (back when it was somewhat esoteric and outside the experience of most of the public). They could, however, just as easily have referred to (as a nun came forth to assert) the Biblical Mary, or even just a friend. It's too bad that "..Mary" doesn't get much airplay these days- it is a very clever and exciting song. "Windy" was written by a young woman as an idealization of what she wanted herself to be. As such, it is moving and transcendent. "Everything That Touches You" is so romantic. Has there ever been a song so adoring and exalting? It is lovely. Later on (around the time of "Requiem.." and "Six Man Band") things started to get ugly, and the forces that supported the Association in bringing about beautiful music disappeared, but prior to that they'd produced fine examples of the powerful creativity and still-present innocence that was the 60s."