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!