Customer Reviews

And Then...Along Comes the Association

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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!

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.

The Association burst onto the music scene with "And Then...Along Comes The Association". What a great collection of music! The songs on this CD really stand the test of time. Besides the well-known standards "Cherish" and "Along Comes Mary", other songs which are favorites (actually they all are, but to pick just a few) are "Standing Still", "I'll Be Your Man", "Round Again" and "Changes". The group's formation is chronicled in the liner notes. There really is nothing negative I can say about this CD. The Association were ahead of their time.

I literally grew up listening to these guys; was rocked to sleep to their music in fact. I have had several used copies of this on LP but on every one side B was too scratched to play, So I was delighted to find it on CD finally.

This was the first album that I purchased for myself when I was in college in 1964. The musicality of the group entranced me and that has held true through the years. Of course, Cherish and Along Comes Mary both were hits at the time. However Blistered is as hot a song as any I have heard and Message of Our Love is as pretty as Cherish. These boys were all great musicians and put together alot of great songs. All of them wrote songs and their names appear on all of their albums.

I highly recommend this album as the Top of the Line and one of the best from that era.

If you are looking for some really enjoyable easy listening music from the 1960s, The Association delivers satisfaction. The big hits Cherish and Along Comes Mary are here. Other tracks that are notable are Enter The Young, Blistered and Remember. These CDs are identical to the old album releases from the 60s right down to sleeve notes and artwork / photos. They are a refreshing and divergent listening alternative and deserve a place in everyone's collection! You might also wish to acquire The Association's CD Insight Out which is just as enjoyable as this one.Insight Out

I love the Association. I have everything they've done (at least by the original group). I would give it 5 stars, but if you listen real closely to parts of Cherish and other songs, you'll hear (on the very high end) a much off-key voice. I think it's Gary Alexander, but whoever it is, it should have been edited out. That's the only reason for me to not give it 5 stars.