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And Then...Along Comes the Association
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Track Listing
- Enter the Young
- Your Own Love
- Don't Blame It on Me
- Blistered
- I'll Be Your Man
- Along Comes Mary
- Cherish
- Standing Still
- Message of Our Love
- Round Again
- Remember
- Changes
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #14403 in Music
- Released on: 2006-05-16
- Number of discs: 1
- Dimensions: .21 pounds
Customer Reviews
The Association sold these songs without even trying--and that's no small feat !!!
And Then...Along Comes the Association is a great album put out by The Association and recreated here on CD. The sound quality is excellent and they never sounded better! I also like the fine artwork.
The album begins with The Association singing their hearts out on "Enter The Young." They harmonize well and the electric guitars add a lot to this number. It really rocks nicely and I love it! "Your Own Love" features The Association front and center and they never sing a superfluous note! They harmonize brilliantly and the musical accompaniment fits completely with their singing. Moreover, there's also "Don't Blame It on Me." "Don't Blame It One Me" stuns me with its beauty; this softer `60s rock ballad tugs at my heartstrings and it's a very pretty tune.
"I'll Be Your Man" has a sweet melody that gets a lot of strength from the guitars and percussion; The Association handles tempo changes effortlessly and this impresses me greatly. "Along Comes Mary" is easily a major highlight of this album; the singing is especially great and the handclapping makes for great percussion in and of itself! "Along Comes Mary" is a classic softer rock hit from the `60s that you will love if you haven't heard this before. It's worth the price of the entire CD alone!
"Cherish" is the other major highlight of this CD; The Association sings very sweetly and they deliver this ballad with panache and all their hearts and souls. The melody is beautiful and this is a tune you're sure to love as well.
Listen also for "Message Of Our Love;" this tender love song gets the royal treatment from The Association and I love every minute of it! Terrific! "Round Again" has a great swinging melody with lots of energy; the flute solo is excellent. The album ends with The Association performing "Changes." "Changes" places this group squarely in the spotlight and "Changes" makes a strong ending for this album.
Overall, fans of The Association will want this CD in their collections. The music is so well done that it truly reflects a brilliant set of musicians and singers giving blood to make a stunning album. This album may also appeal to people who like `60s pop and softer rock ballads.
Let's Get Associated! A Classic CD that Deserves Its Place in Rock and History
I was in junior high school when this LP came out, and I purchased it for no other reason than for the its two hits: "Cherish" and "Along Comes Mary". However, the genius of this recording is still etched in my memory today. Let me state emphatically: The Association was the best VOCAL group in pop and rock history. One listen to this recording will provide evidence. Rarely can one find a record in which all the cuts are outstanding. Allow me to descrbe some of the songs:
"Enter the Young"- an homage to youth. I have read that the Association wanted this to be the new National Anthem.
"Your Own Love"-Sublime lead vocals by Russ Giguere, and six-part harmonies emblematic of the group.
"Blistered"-fast, upbeat, and a bit of country.
"I'll Be Your Man"-more intricate harmonies.
"Along Comes Mary"- a hit, cerebral. When's the last time you heard a song with "psychodrama" in the lyrics?
"Cherish"- arguably the greatest love song ever written. Too much airplay has not ruined the all-around beauty of this timeless song.
"Standing Still"-more loveliness, written by drummer Ted Bluechel. It makes me wonder why he wasn't more involved/prolific.
"Remember"-gorgeous, almost like a Gregorian chant.
"Message of Our Love"-intricate harmonies with state-of-the-art psychedia. A most melodic, unusual song.
"Round Again"-more unusual instrumentation combined with a catchy tune
"Changes- Jules Alexander's tribute to song writing.
Forty-one years later this recording is fresh, original, and well ahead of its time. Curt Boettcher's production is unique, replete with experimental sounds. I guess this is the Association's "Pet Sounds". And like "Pet Sounds" this under-rated CD is just as important. I'm only sorry that I can only give 5 stars!
Short and Sharp Pop
This, the Association's first LP is composed mostly of short pop songs with tight sparkling vocals. It shows the group as folk popsters with a touch of jazz. The two hits on here are "Along Comes Mary" and "Cherish", which are excellent. There are other nice tracks on here also. "Enter the Young" is a powerful opener and "Blistered" is a cool rocker. "Round Again" is a nice jazzy track and "I'll be Your Man" is a pretty ballad with an upbeat chorus. All these tracks come in under the three minute mark except "Message of Our Love" which tends to drag. Another minus is the song that closes the album "Changes". It's listenable but too slightly more adult Partridge Family fair. All in all there is tight musianship by sessioneers and very nice pop-rock. The best of the tracks leave you wanting more. A nice introduction to the Association.
