British Electric Foundation - "Music Of Quality and Distinction Volume 3

British Electric Foundation - Music of Quality and Distinction Volume 3

16 x File, MP3, Album, UK, 2013

Wall of Sound

I thought the chances would be very slim that this would even be listenable, but alas, it’s a fantastic album.   It guess it took British Electric Foundation 20 some odd years to recover from Volume 2, which, without a doubt,  I tremendously disliked with a certain amount of passion.  But Volume 3 which came out of nowhere, well basically a typing mistake on Spotify, it came up upon my eyes. 

Like the other two volumes, British Electric Foundation (Heaven 17) chose specific artists to cover a song, and usually the song choices are really good, but sometimes I feel there is a subtext to their choices as well.  Nevertheless we Boy George doing Lou Reed’s “Make Up” and surprisingly The Stooges’ “I wanna Be Your Dog.”  Now that sounds like a strange mash-up of singer and song, but George does it well, and its a great track on this album.  

The one that really made me go gaga is someone named Maxim, who is a Russian pop singer.  He does the fantastic “The Day Before You Came” a masterpiece song from late ABBA.  His performance of the song resembles Joel Gray’s character in Cabaret.  Campy as hell and it works.  Glenn Gregory, who is the Heaven 17 singer comes up quite nicely with Frank Sinatra’ middle-age angst “It Was A Very Good Year” and a beautiful piano version of Billy MacKenzie’s (Associates) “Party Fears Two.”   And do we need another version of “God Only Knows?”  Sure, why not.  It is such a beautiful ballad, a Brian Wilson piece of genius work.  Overall this is a great collection of songs re-thunk by Martyn Ware.  In other words New Wave’s revenge.

Billy MacKenzie / Steve Aungle - "Eurocentric" CD Album

Billy MacKenzie / Steve Aungle – Eurocentric

CD, Album, 2001

Rhythm of Life Records

“Liberty Lounge” is pretty much the highlight to this album by the great MacKenzie with large assistance from Steve Aungle. For one the song is like a refreshing splash in the face, due that most of the album is very electro-dance or ballad driven, which is perfectly OK, but the music is not that challenging compared to other Billy projects. But “Liberty Lounge” wow. Like most (if not all) Billy Post-death albums, it is very much a grab-bag of music. The techno-music doesn't work when one compares it to classics like “Wild Is The Wind.” It's hard for me to be critical on an album like this due that Billy wasn't alive to finish it, and by no means is the work exploitive – one wants these releases. But the pacing of the album is not that strong. They're very much of a side-one and a side-two. But what makes Eurocentric a must is the cover of Sparks' great “Mother Earth.” For the Billy obsessive, which I belong in that category, the album is a must. But by no means is it an introduction to his greatness. For that you have to go back to the Alan Rankine era Associates. 

Billy MacKenzie - "Outernational" CD, Album, 1992

Billy MacKenzie – Outernational

CD, Album, UK & Europe, 1992

Circa

I remember reading about this album when it was released in Europe but I had a hell of a time trying to locate a copy. Eventually I found a single copy at Tower Records Piccadilly London branch around 1994. And it was expensive! Nevertheless worth every pence.

The only Billy MacKenzie album released under his name when he was alive. Not sure why this is not under the Associates banner, but nevertheless all albums without Alan Rankine, is in its nature, a solo album. The first cut “Outernational” is a classic in the same landscape as Kraftwerk's “Trans-Europe Express.” Electro-pop at its best. An excellent opening to a world of electro-disco, and in many ways a total underrated masterpiece.

Often Outernational sounds like it wasn't made by humans, because it is very much a producer's album, being that Yello's Boris Blank and the totally European sounding Thomas Fehlmann and Moritz Von Oswald. MacKenzie's voice blends into the mix like adding cream to coffee. It is effortless that it seems to be an ideal of what pop should sound like. Dance floor friendly to the max, if this album was a color it would be pastel colors with flowing fabric on a window backed by a wind machine.

The Boris Blank cuts are more flavored in the sense it is very textural and Billy's voice and music is in the hands of a wonderful chemist. The stunning great song here (besides the title cut) is “In Windows All.” That alone is worth the expense of getting this album. A Billy slow burner.

Billy MacKenzie - "Beyond The Sun" CD, Album

Billy MacKenzie – Beyond The Sun

CD, Album, UK, 1997

Nude Records

Beyond The Sun was the album that Billy was working on when he committed suicide. So of course there is tragedy spilt on this album like red wine on a white cloth. Stained with memories, yet its best to look at this album away from the tragedy.

The album feels very rough, not in the quality of the songs, but in its pacing. Many ballads, and I believe most of these songs are just demos, that was re-recorded after his death. It doesn't sound like a man drowning in despair, but an artist at his prime working on new material. The one thing that never fails is his unbelievably great voice. It never fails. He can sing from 100 to 1 and it will sound incredible. Along with Bowie and Scott Walker, MacKenzie is one of the great vocalist in the pop world. “14 Mirrors” is the classic Billy cut, with a beautiful melody that just builds slowly up and it comes to head with a gorgeous chorus. Full of emotion and just daring to be out there that only Billy can do. “At The Edge Of The World” is a smoky number that slinks to the edge, and looks over the horizon.

Over-all this is not an essential Billy release except it was demos for his next album at the time of his death, that makes it sad. But clearly this is not an artist on his last stage, but one can't say the same for his personal life or demons. Recordings by Billy are never bad, that's impossible! But there are stronger works by him that's out there, but as a fan you would want this album. And again, the voice never fails. In two words. Superb. Singer. 

Liner notes by Paul Morley that came with the CD

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 - "Wild and Lonely" CD Album

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. 

The Associates - "The Radio Sessions Volume Two 1984-1985 CD

The Associates – The Radio Sessions Volume Two 1984-1985

CD Compilation, UK, 2003

Strange Fruit

Recorded 'live' for the radio, here we have the great combination of a fantastic song with the glory that is Billy Mackenzie's voice. “The Crying Game” is one of my all-time favorite records by Dave Berry, and here, Billy makes it the ultimate torch song. It seems effortless on his part, but its not only his voice, but he's also a fantastic songwriter, as well as a man of great taste, with respect to his choice of cover songs to sing. In some ways, and it is picking apples from the oranges, this collection may be the best of the two radio session series. Included is a rare recording of “Kites,” a song I know nothing about. Same as “Country Boy” (not on this album) – where does he find these songs?

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 Glamour Chase" & "Perhaps" CD

The Associates – The Glamour Chase & Perhaps

2 x CD, Compilation, Remastered, 2012

Warner Strategic Marketing

Alan Rankine left because he couldn't deal with the world of Billy Mackenzie, and therefore Billy had to do it alone, of sorts. Rankine couldn't be replaced, nor should be replaced, because his talent was too great and what he offered was a solid right-hand figure for the Billy voice. But his leaving didn't make it a disaster, in fact perhaps (no pun intended) it opened up Billy for more adventure. After Sulk he went as far as he could in that direction, and like a tense rubber band being pulled back, it had to snap back. So what we hear after Rankine, is the rubber band's going smack against the forehead.

The Glamour Chase never officially came out till this collection was released in 2012. Recorded in the early '80s Mackenzie for whatever reason never finished the album, yet he used the songs in future collections or albums. It's a solid work for him with quite a few masterpieces in my opinon. “Take Me To The Girl” is a haunted melody and lyric that is both clever, lovelorn, and sexual at the same time. “The Rhythm Divine is a powerful slow-down rhythm (done with the Swiss band Yello) that's torchy as well as merky in its undergroundish feeling of dread coming up in a nightmare of some sort. But the strangest song is “Country Boy” which sounds like it was written in Munich before the war. A love of the country life? Billy was known to be drawn to the hills of Scotland, but this has a tad of a touch of Fascism in it. Perhaps its a very controlled nature.

Perhaps has the classic Billy ballads. “Those First Impressions,” “Breakfast,” “Don't Give Me That 'I Told You So' Look” and the title song are seemingly beautiful. Similar to a great Bowie ballad, these songs are more straight forward. Still smart, but very heart felt – and even a tad tender. But there is a bit of a cad approach to love, and it can be directed to a man or a woman. At the time very romantic for the New Romantic, but a tad real if one is bitten by the bittersweet of fainted kisses.

 

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