Click on this link to reach the main page of this omnimously unnamed association... Burfday Overall Album Score: 8.9 out of 10 Wow. I could not have been more wrong than I was when I wrote the review of The Association's Insight Out. I suspected that group couldn't possibly make an album better than that. Their melodic talents weren't much to speak of ever in their career since that point. Sure, they run across a few memorable hits here and there, but nothing that would last throughout an entire album. But I spoke too soon. Birthday is the group's greatest album. Something happened to spark a major change in this group. Whatever it was I like it. These guys were always likable, but they finally got to a point where they're in full bloom. It's beautiful and, as I made an example, unexpected. They're still miles away from writing great melodies like the Beatles, but they are definitely leaps and bounds better and more consistent than anything album they released beforehand. The melodies aren't even the reason Birthday is so great. It's the moods. Yes, the Association is undeniably another one of those freaking sunshine pop bands, but they're quite convincing at it. This whole album is essentially one continously pleasant moment that does not let up. They really perfected their glorious mood here --- especially how they work in those Beach Boys esque vocal harmonies. They sound better here than they even did on their hit single "Cherish" and much more purposeful. They tap into a heavenly vibe that's so convincing that it doesn't even make this work sound cheesy or cheap in any way. As I always recognized from these guys, they seem to be interested in making music for the art of it and not just the money. Here is their best work --- where most of their musical ideas seemed like good ones. Even when the songs that aren't so special, meldocially, I want to love them. They're just so happy and likable. The funny thing is none of these songs sound famous to me. This seems like a pretty overlooked album. '60s pop fans ought to take note! Overall Album Score: 8.9 out of 10 (This is an enormously enjoyable album. This even beats Insight Out.) Average Song Score: 8.7 (This album consists of some mightily solid songwriting. Just lovely.) Album Tilt: 9.0 (Their most consistent.) Artist Rating: 9.0 (They found consistent moods and had a bunch of great melodies. They always cared about their songs, and they deserve credit for that. They weren't up to pushing the boundaries, but they didn't want to...) Track Reviews Come On In 9.5/10 The Association start this effort up with the utterly lovely and energetic "Come On In." The bass groove sounds a little familiar to me (they could have lifted this from somewhere for all I know), but that hardly matters 'cos it's an catchy groove. The happy melody is also catchy, and that's complimented with their signature choral work. They manage to sound positively glorious and angelic. This track both surprises and delights me. The Association never sounded this carefree before. Rose Petals, Incense and a Kitten 9.5/10 This psychedelic ballad is much lighter and more contemplative this time, but it doesn't succumb to silly, dated cliches that you could be dreading. It's such a happy sunshine song --- it's absolutely corny but it was done so tastefully that you don't have to feel too guilty for enjoying it. The instrumentation consists of a great balance of their choral vocals, violins and the usual soft-rock rhythm section. The melody is beautiful, and their vocals are engaging. Like Always 9/10 Ah, they don't keep that up completely, but this is another glorious composition from this band. The melody contains so many effective hooks that you almost forget that much of their previous work wasn't, melodically, up-to-snuff. The instrumentation is a little bit busier and more creative than the previous works. The swinging rhythm section is closer to bluesy rock 'n' roll, which could mean that this won't have a hard time finding fans. Everything That Touches You 8.5/10 This is still a great song that's instantly likable. It doesn't leave a lasting impression on you, quite as much, because the melody isn't their most durable. Again, this groups utterly lighthearted, sunshine vibes will not fail to put a smile on your face. There's nothing about this song that you can hate. It'd be like smacking a bunny or something. Toymaker 8.5/10 Here is a more delicate ballad with some nursery rhyme posturing. The moment I think they're going to slip back into their melodic mediocrity, they end up proving me wrong. There are some chord changes in here that are undeniably wonderful. This track might not be their most successfully melodic, but its completely engaging. I also like how the song is orchestrated --- that was their big strength from the very beginning. Barefoot Gentleman 10/10 I like how this begins. It's an omnimous and almost dark beginning, but you do get the feeling that they're not serious about that mood. It doesn't take too long for them to grow more hopeful. I have to point out that this melody doesn't really contain too many pop hooks, but the sheer optimism in this seems about as genuine as anything short of a Stevie Wonder composition. For that reason alone, I find this to be real masterpiece. Who the hell knew this group was capable of this. Time For Livin' 8/10 Here is another happy song --- it sounds like a Lovin' Spoonful song. Though I like the happy vibes, this one ends up striking me as a tad bit sloppier than the rest. The song structure is interesting, but it doesn't quite capture me as some of the other songs. The melody isn't that memorable either--- But screw it. I like this song. Who can't? Here in Here 8/10 A very upbeat pop rocker ensues. I love the mood of it, but that opening chord progression is freaking awful. The chorus is much better. What really seems to be the trumping factor with this song, again, is its mood. I might not care for their melodies and harmonies here, but that joyous mood is undeniable. They even show a bit of gall and actually deliver a convincing electric guitar solo in here. This is far from a wasted moment. The Time is Today 7.5/10 I'm almost relieved to hear this track in an almost perverse way. It's the first and only song on this album that doesn't capture me in any significant sense. It's just a pleasant track with a mediocre melody --- much like the music they would come up with previously to the album. It makes me remember that this isn't like a lost Beatles album or anything. Yes, this is easily the weakest track of the album. But may all albums have a weak song like this! The Bus Song 9/10 A strange song. It starts out as a pleasant and tuneful piano pop song with an enjoyable chord progression. It seems like a bit of a rip off of "Happy Together," but it's a decent one! The melody absolutely soars. But that all suddenly stops in the middle and they start to sing a barbershop quartet. ... Um ... Okay................... Well I'm all for weird ideas. Maybe this one was clunky, but it catches me off guard. (Interestingly, Brian Wilson had something similar in his Smile album. That's what this reminded me of.) Birthday Morning 8/10 I might have hoped for something slightly more conclusive and glorious, but this'll do nicely. Well, I think they thought they were making something as great as I was hoping for, but they weren't. Don't make any mistake about it --- The Association really wasn't that great of a group. Anyway, this hippie ballad is a perfectly nice one. The problem is the melody doesn't get to me. They nail the mood, however --- it's so pleasant and happy. There's nothing better than that if you enjoy feeling those emotions (if you don't then there's something weird about you). The vocals are especially nice here. He's ripe with eagerness to hear your comments here.

All reviews are copyrighted by the author, Michael Lawrence. He spins his stools.