The Associates - "Wild and Lonely" Vinyl, LP, Album, 1990 (Circa)

There is no such thing as a bad Associates or Billy Mackenzie record.  It doesn't really exist. Still, the early recordings with Alan Rankine are for sure the more artful era of The Associates.  Compare early Bryan Ferry with Eno Roxy Music, and later era of that band.  Both are still great, but very different. "Wild and Lonely" is basically Billy solo, even though he kept the band's name, it is a solo album.  It is also a brilliant pop album with a strong groove.  I think Billy was listening to Michael Jackson "Off the  Wall," in that he mixes the pop with the Rn'B in an organic manner that it seems effortless.  There is not a bad cut on the album, and why it wasn't successful either in the UK or in the U.S., is sort of an odd mystery, but more of a great disappointment.  

"Strasbourg Square" is a lush and beautiful ballad.  European to its soul, one would have hoped that Billy moved to Paris or even Berlin, but alas, a man of Scotland to the very end.  A great album. 

The Associates - "Perhaps" Vinyl, LP, Album, 1985 (WEA)

Billy MacKenzie's passions were in this order:  His dogs,  his family, and then music.  And I suspect he hated the music business. Which explains why he didn't go for the gold when it was evident that his talents were placed above so many others in the music world.  Without a doubt, his greatness was magnified by his work with Alan Rankine.  The first three Associates albums were magnificent in its scope, design and of course, the voice of MacKenzie.  When Rankine left the partnership, MacKenzie lost the driver, yet, he still made gorgeous pop music. 

"Perhaps" is the first album without Rankine, and it's produced by various people on different tracks. Martin Rushent did half, and Martyn Ware of Human League/Heaven 17/B.E.F. did the others, with some self-production by MacKenzie.  As a whole, the album sounds like a bunch of singles with the additional b-sides added to the package.   It doesn't have a consistency as the other Associates' albums.  On the other hand, you're going to get pop perfection in all its glory with songs like the title cut "Perhaps," "Those First Impressions," "Breakfast," "Thirteen Feelings," and others.  For one, the songwriting of Billy MacKenzie doesn't falter.  As a lyricist he's superb, but also he can sing the text off a cereal box and make it magnificent sounding.  For sure, with Rankine, he was pushing boundaries, and here he's singing magnificent pop.  The production makes the record sound very 1985, but if you go beyond that, there are incredible songs on this album.   In fact, over time in 1985, MacKenzie did a live concert with just his voice and a piano player.  Hardcore Billy music.  One of the great figures from the Post-Punk world, this album is essential to the Associates' world.  If for nothing else, for the comparison of the two sides of The Associates and just a reminder how great the Rankine/MacKenzie team were. 

The Associates - "The Affectionate Punch" Vinyl, LP, Album, 1980 (Fiction Records)

"The Affectionate Punch" is the first Associates' album, and it's a classic introduction to the amazing talents of Alan Rankine and the amazing vocals by Billy MacKenzie.  At this stage of their career, MacKenzie's singing style reminds one of Bowie's classic croon, with Russell Mael's ability to define and pronounce words in a speedy manner.  Which sounds like MacKenzie is imitating them, but in fact, it's an influence and one that MacKenzie uses for his own unique purposes.  The Associates will remind you of other artists, but in truth, they are very original.  Rankine pretty much plays all instruments on this album, except for drums. It's very electric guitar (with effects) and bass with drums.  Then on the top, you have the Billy voice which of course, is a wonder.  

Lyrically some of the songs are vague and fragmented, in that one would think another influence on this album would be Iggy Pop's "The Idiot," as well as Bowie's "Low."  There is a mechanical feel for the beat, as one works in a factory environment.  It's hard, but then you have the soulful voice of MacKenzie relating to an emotional response that is taking place outside of the song.  Morrissey as a young man must have had this album.  Lyrically there are Morrissey touches, but of course, this album was recorded in 1980.  Not that Morrissey is imitating MacKenzie, but I feel he was an influence on his outlook, coolness, and intelligence that was felt much later in The Smiths. 

Rankine and MacKenzie made two other albums that are essential listening experience, especially on the post-punk landscape.  As this is their first album, the songs are well-defined, but happily, their experimental stage is still to come.   Meanwhile marvel at the beautiful melodies of "Paper House," and "Even Dogs In The Wild" (an animal that MacKenzie was devoted to).  These are guys locked in their own world and making brilliant music.  

The Associates "Q Quarters" / "Kissed" & "Q Quarters (Original)" 12" 45 rpm Single (Situation Two)

The 12" single from the late 1970s and early 1980s was the golden years of such object.   Always expensive, yet always desired, the 12" offers another way to hear a song from the album, or from the 45rpm single.  Drums louder, but clearly the bass is more out front.  Nevertheless, one of my favorite artists/bands, The Associates," knew how to make a proper 12" single.   For one Associates Mark One - the original band which was Alan Rankine on every noise, except for Billy MacKenzie who handled the vocals, and I presume the lyrics as well.  "Q Quarters" is a smokey hypnotic little electronic groove piece, which is beautifully textured with subliminal sounds.  These two guys in 1981 were at the top of the peak, with respect to their ability to make pop music that was a combination of Musique Concrete with Euro-Bowie like pop.  One can wonder and reflect on Billy MacKenzie's vocal abilities.  One of the perfect pop voices, ever!  

The Associates - "The Radio One Sessions" CD Compilation

The Associates – The Radio One Sessions

CD, Compilation, 1994

Nighttracks

For the completest, which one has to presume I am one, when it concerns The Associates. Which saying is not necessary for the causal fan. As long as you get the major releases (Fourth Drawer Down, Sulk, etc.) then you are OK. The live stuff is amazing because it really exposes the voice of Billy and its not a studio trick. He was really magnificent. 

The Associates -"The Affectionate Punch (re-mixed/ re-recorded version)

The Associates - The Affectionate Punch (re-mixed / re-recorded version)

CD Album, 1997

Fiction Records

A total mystery to me why Billy Mackenzie and Alan Rankine went back to the studio to re-record or re-mixed this album. Contractual reason? The original edition is much better, with its guitar, bass, drums sound, processed with compression and other studio trickery. This version is very 80's orientated. “Paper House” is an Associates classic, and both versions can't do wrong. But I feel that the new recordings doesn't add anything to the mix. Perhaps its bad for any artist to go back to their older work to 'fix' it. Each recording or work of art is part of its time. Or even season. I think one has to respect that aspect of art as it happened.

The Associates - "Sulk" Vinyl Album

The Associates – Sulk

Vinyl Album, 1982

Beggars Banquet

The lushness of the album cover with Billy and Alan looking towards the camera pretty much expresses the sound of the album. Elegance with a twisted angle. “Party Fears Two” has to be one of the great pop records from the '80s. Mysterious, yet enticing with the images expressed in the song. Even the title is so beautifully expressed. “It's Better This Way” is a driving track that one wonders why this is not considered a pop classic. In fact why is this album not as big as “The Other Side Of The Moon?' Seductively recorded it is like laying between velvet walls with shag carpeting. Essential, and a very warm album. The tension is that it can explode any moment....

The Associates - "Popera The Singles Collection" CD

The Associates – Popera -The Singles Collection

CD Compilation, Remastered

Sire

This CD is the one to give to introduce that poor person to The Associates. 'Poor' because their lives are empty if they haven't been exposed to the world of Billy Mackenzie and Company. This is an excellent collection to start off one's obsession about this artist. It even has “Country Boy.”

That specific song may be my most favorite Associates/Mackenzie record. It is so over-the-top in its production and Pre War Munich, one would think it would be illegal to hear it or own the damn record. So yeah, one gets the 'hits' but also the oddities such “Country Boy.” His take on Blondie's “Heart of Glass” is almost exactly the same as the original, but somehow it seems more suited for Billy and his aesthetic. He's such a classic great singer, that whatever song he does, he naturally owns it.

The album is odd in its programming because it starts off the new stuff at the time of its release, and goes into the older and much more experimental music. I can see some would think the older material as being the masterpieces (and they are) but its best to go for the whole ride that is The Associates. The last of the great unique voices, Billy is someone to really miss.

The Associates - "Kitchen Person"/"An Even Whiter Car" Vinyl 12" Single

The Associates – Kitchen Person/An Even Whiter Car

Vinyl 12”

Situation Two

Chaos rules on this record. Its hysterical, nervous, and its heading towards a world that may self-destruct at any moment. Which, made it very exciting for a 12” single. At the time of its release I was totally in awe of The Associates, which at that time it was Billy Mackenzie and Alan Rankine. Like Fourth Drawer Down I bought this recording at Arron’s on Melrose. That and maybe Vinyl Fetish would not only carry their recordings but also someone on the staff would know of them as well. They made such brilliant noise, that its hard for me to understand why someone wouldn't like them. In the U.S. Market they are thought of as a band that's New Wave or maybe even New Romantic, but the truth is they were more experimental. Especially at this time in their non-career.

At the time I think I was working at Licorice Pizza in Reseda, but living on Martel in Hollywood. I have a strong memory of playing this record really loud, and looking outside my window which basically faced a huge tree. The whole single apartment was in a sense a tree house. At least that is what everyone called it when they visited me and my girlfriend at the time. I was also intrigued by the images of Billy Mackenzie. I knew he was campy in a sense, but he also had a 'I don't give a shit' attitude, which to me at the time was totally cool and totally my world. In fact I really needed to listen to someone like Billy Mackenzie with that attitude and even more important that voice that made poetry out of noise.

The b-side is basically the melody of “White Car in Germany” but done slow and sort of in a dub fashion. But it is very Germanic and dramatic.

The Associates - "Fourth Drawer Down" CD Album,

The Associates – Fourth Drawer Down

CD Album, Reissued, Remastered

V2

Originally, and like an idiot, I purchased all the 12” singles that pretty much makes up Fourth Drawer Down. But still, sometime in the '80s I needed to get this album, just to get that feeling that I have everything by The Associates. At the time I was living on Martel Avenue in Hollywood, just a little bit an above of Melrose Avenue. I'm pretty sure I bought the original vinyl of this album at Arrons Records, which at that time was still on Melrose. The furious experimentation of this record was a good soundtrack to the crumbling of my relationship with a girlfriend at the time. We both liked this album, but I don't think she knew that I actually loved this album more than her.

Billy Mackenzie and Alan Rankine were holed up at Playground Studios, which for these two its a pretty good name for a recording studio. Experimentation was the exception, with Mackenzie singing through a vacuum cleaner hose among other effects. All of it low-fi in that Joe Meek method, without the guns and madness. But saying that it was rumored that drugs was also in the forefront of the recording. Nevertheless one got an album (or is this a demented greatest non-hits album?) of perfect songs being fucked-up and sent out to the stars. Officially this was their second album, the first being a very moody guitar, bass, drums and spacey keyboards number. Here the sound-effects takes first place along with Billy's amazing and beautiful voice. In many ways the whole album reminds me of Bowie's “Look Back In Anger” off his Lodger album. Very compressed sound with soaring vocals fighting against the noise made by Rankine. Totally brilliant. 

The Associates - "Double Hipness" 2 X CD

The Associates – Double Hipness

2 x CD Compilation

V2

Even material that was left on the bottom of the barrow that was left for the dead turns out to be a good Associates album. Billy, Alan and others never fail. Even throw-a-way tunes & recordings are gold nuggets among the landscape of trash. Billy Mackenzie just had the 'it' quality in spades. He could write, make superb recordings, and god of course what a voice. Some compare him to Bowie or Russell Mael, and for sure those two are a major influence on him. But Billy was also a great admirer of various pop and jazz girl singers. Everytime he opened his mouth to sing, it comes out as blues with a strong European tinge added to it. One can imagine that there are singers like Mackenzie out there, but he was really one of a kind. Like Bowie and Mael, they can be imitated but can't surpass the masters. And Billy is up there with those two geniuses.

There are a lot of collectable recordings in this package, including The Associates' take on Bowie's “Boys Keep Swinging” which was unique because it was recorded hours after Bowie released the single. It was put out on their own label, and rushed to indie stores around the U.K. Almost Situationist like type of action, that was subversive but as well as honoring the artist that's Bowie. I believe that was their first record.

The package covers all eras of The Associates, and what is of interest is that there are recordings that he did with Alan, a come-back for the original two. Sadly it didn't last long. But Billy Mackenzie is not about lasting forever, but just making those moments special and memorable.

The Associates -"The Radio One Sessions Volume One 1981-1983" CD

The Associates – The Radio One Sessions Volume One 1981-1983

CD Compliation, UK, 2003 (Recorded in 1981 thru 1983)

Strange Fruit

Once you fall into the charms and sounds of The Associates, then one is sucked into their world forever. Which really means the world of Billy Mackenzie. This album is not essential, but you will feel weird not having it in your collection, because it is live Billy recordings, and every breath he made one would want to own it. The beauty of these recordings is that it's an artist that I feel was not in love with the live performance. I am guessing that he would prefer to spend time in the recording studio more than a radio station or on the stage. And beyond that I think music was third down the list after raising whippets, and hanging out with his family. Making music may have been just to do something between those two other activities. Which brings to mind the humor of “A Severe Bout of Career of Insecurity,” which brings out all the post-punk sounds in one track. The great thing about Billy & Co is that they never rest on their laurels. In ways they remind me of the early PIL, in that they made records to challenge the medium, and I think that is what interested Billy with respect to making music.

The Associates - "The Peel Sessions" CD EP

The Associates – The Peel Sessions

CD Ep, 1989 (Recorded in 1981)

Strange Fruit

“Me, Myself And The Tragic Story” tells the tale of what one would think is Billy Mackenzie's life, but alas, who knows. These live sessions done for the legendary (and always helpful) John Peel radio show are the early works from The Associates. “It's Better This Way” burns into one's ears, because it is so perfect. The Peel Sessions are snapshots as it happened. And that's the beauty of these recordings.

The Associates - "The Affectionate Punch" CD Album, Remastered, Reissue

The Associates – The Affectionate Punch

CD Album, Remastered, Reissue, 2005

Universal

One of the classic haunted albums for me. I think I bought it after reading an interview with the lead singer Billy Mackenzie, and the way the reporter described his voice as being similar to David Bowie and Russell Mael of Sparks. With that how could I refuse a listen. And when the needle hit the groove I was sent to another part of the world. A beautiful but sad world.

For this album the basic line-up was voice, guitar, bass, drums and some keyboard. The sound is very sparse but the vocals are on top of the melody. There is something very dramatic happening via the music, and the arrangements are tight. The moments when Billy lets it loose with his voice is when the universe breaks down. At least that's the way I hear it!

This is the first album, and the beauty of it is that the songs hint at things, but don't clearly state it. It is almost you wake up in the middle of a conversation and you are just picking up the threads of the last word you heard. You think you know, but the fact is you really don't know. The mystery in their work is one of anticipating a narrative of some sort, but it is only a trace of that work. In a way The Associates at this time reminds me of a Alain Robbe-Grillet novel, where you get the facts, but you have to pull it all together to see what's behind the door.

Billy Mackenzie

Alan Rankine

Associates