Search - The Association :: Renaissance

Renaissance, the Association

Ken Nagaine | Ventura, CA United States | 12/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

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There is a cosmic Romanticism we all know and aspire to. A rebirth of this "cosmic Romanticism" occurred in popular music between 1965 and 1968. One of the best examples of the cosmo-Romantic view is the album "Renaissance," by the Association. Best known up to that point for "Along Comes Mary," and the gushingly beautiful "Cherish," the Association followed up their top ten successes with this commercially less appreciated masterpiece. The album has echoes of the Beatles '65, "Rubber Soul," the Gregorian chants of the Yardbirds, harmonies of the Beach Boys, the folk rock elegance of the first two Byrd albums, the socially conscious here-and-now stance of the Buffalo Springfield, with a touch of the explosive creative fire of another L.A. based group, Love.

The record begins with "I'm the One," a song that sets the stage for ensuing meditations on love and romance. The second track, "Memories of You," is a moody reflection on the problem of separation from the beloved. Next is an upbeat paean to the romantic quest, sung in three/four time, "All is Mine." "Pandora's Golden Heebie Jeebies" serves up a kind of unsettling depiction of ego loss and purification on the cosmic romantic cycle. This is grounded next by the track, "Angeline," a ballad that verges on the bombastic, whose lyrics convey a redeeming sense of transcendence in the face of lost love. Next in suit comes the puckish "Songs in the Wind". Then, try to imagine an intermission to reflect upon the first half of what you've heard. "Not bad," you could say before listening to the second half.

The group now seems to pull out all the stops with "You May Think," "Looking Glass," "Come to Me," "No Fair at All," "You Hear Me Call Your Name," and the snappy close, "Another Time, Another Place." There is a foreshadowing, in this sequence, of the rock and roll opera soon to become de rigueur. Like Percival entering the Grail Castle, the song "Looking Glass" asks the crucial questions..."Who's that standing there? Who's that standing there? What's Her Name? Does she still wear morning in Her hair? Does She smile the same?" (caps. added) And whom does She serve, one could further add?



If you already appreciate the music of the era, including the groups mentioned above, or listen to retrospective collections such as the Nuggets Box Sets I and II, you will more than likely dig "Renaissance." Besides the fantastic singing and impressive harmonies,the Association is a group of outstanding musicians. If in doubt, check out their performance on the expanded edition of the Monterey Pop Festival. Lastly, the sound quality on this Collectors' Choice CD is excellent.

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The Association's Renaissance

Alan Caylow | USA | 05/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Renaissance" is the Association's 2nd album, and, once more, these guys deliver the goods with catchy, inventive, memorable pop songs and truly unique vocal harmonies. I really, really dig this band. "Renaissance" features a couple of Association hits, albeit minor ones: the lovely "No Fair At All," and the spectacular psychedelia of "Pandora's Golden Heebie Jeebies," one of the band's very best confections. But there are many more first-rate songs, including "I'm The One," "Memories Of You," "Angeline," "Looking Glass," and "You Hear Me Call Your Name." I'm very, very happy to see most of the Association's catalog available in North America at last, and "Renaissance" is definitely a major highlight for this remarkable group. So pick it up, and enjoy the superb sounds of the Association!"

Renaisance--Another Winner

Ruthcakes | Wisconsin, USA | 02/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Renaissance is the second "album" The Association released. Although there were a few "minor" hits on the album, it did not make waves like their first release did. The only reason for that is the fact that The Association did not sound like other groups at that time, and much of their music was not main-stream top 40's music. On this CD, you will enjoy "Pandora's Golden Heebie Jeebies", which sounds better in the context of today's world than it did back when it was written. Softer music includes "Memories of You" (my personal all-time Association favorite) and "No Fair At All". The great Jules Alexander song "You Hear Me Call Your Name" is a definite high-point. The song kind of "rolls" along, gains momentum, and by the end of it, you find that you have been "pulled in to it" and the tune will stick with you for a long time afterwards. Enjoy too the "minor" hit "Looking Glass". This has to be one of my absolute favorite music collections of all time.

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