The
Associates –
Wild
and Lonely
CD Album, 1990
Circa
By
all concerns at this point of time The Associates is Billy Mackenzie.
Wild
and Lonely is
his Avalon,
all smooth, effortlessly performed pop, but still through his unique
and overly seductive manner. I bought this particular copy of the
album at The
Wave
in Roppongi, Tokyo. The six story building was torn town for the
monster shopping complex Roppongi Hills. This album plus some others
are my lasting memories of an once perfect music store. But alas, it
is understandable why this album is such a sad affair for me.
The
music being ultra-produced, even by Billy's standards reminds me of
Tokyo's aesthetic of being in love with the surface. I think
Mackenzie did play in Japan for either this album or maybe during the
time of Perhaps
but it is also a record that loves the surface. The one sonic aspect
that breaks through the smoothness is Billy's remarkable and
beautiful voice. Also there are top-notch songs on this album. One
can't say this is a masterpiece or close to the greatness of Sulk,
but it has its own fragile beauty among the surface of its melodies.
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