Search - Association :: Birthday

Those Were the Days

Major Carol Fan | Ventura, CA United States | 12/09/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ah yes, 1968! Touring the Berkshires in my '64 Impala SS,
with the 8-track player maxing out the four-inch speakers.
Having seen the Association perform at Tanglewood the
previous summer,I bought "Birthday" in a heartbeat.
The bouncy "Come On In", which I had heard live, is one of
my personal favorites. "Time for Living" is a lively,
optimstic, wake up and smell the roses tune, and Jim Yester's
crystal-clear tenor, backed by the group's harmonies,
is well represented on "Birthday Morning".
"Everything That Touches You" remains as one of the best
examples of the Association's hallmark ethereal vocal blends.
The tight harmonies perfectly compliment Terry Kirkman's
softly plaintive and unique lyrical stylings.
If you own only one selection by this group, you can't go
too wrong with this.
Whether you are a baby boomer like myself, glad to have our
oldies available on cd, or a younger person exploring ancient
rock history, these guys should be on your "get it" list.
The Association is perhaps best known for their clear,
multi-layered harmonies, tightly woven around lead vocals
shared by the band members. Buy it, and feel good!"

This groups entry into the Psychodelic Era, late 1960's

Major Carol Fan | 07/17/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In my opinion, this album, when released in the Spring of 1968, was the Association's attempt to shed their 'Pop' ("...everyone knows its Windy") image and follow in the direction that the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper" and Rolling Stones "Satanic Majesty's " albums had done only a few months before. (Check out the 'psychodelic' collage cover on this album!) Music was evolving very rapidly and was an expression of the times rebellious, politically active, experimental culture. Many pop bands with Top 40 singles or albums a few years earlier, now weren't getting much airplay at all. "Hard Rock" was beginning to dominate and shape the music industry, and squeaky clean songs like "Cherish" & "Never My Love", big hits for the Association in 1966 & 1967 weren't going to cut it anymore. On "Birthday", "Everything That Touches You" turned out to be their top hit from this album and today still sounds just as great over 30 years later! With its heavy bass lines, but light haunting flute tracks, it is one my personal favorite songs of all the Association's work. "Time For Livin'" and "Time It Is Today" are very meaningful songs with a 'carpe diem' or 'seize the day' theme. In the Psychodelic Department, "Rose Petals" & "Barefoot Gentleman" sound a little corny and sleepy nowadays; however, "Hear In Here" and "Come On In" are peppier and got a good Sixties beat. "Toymaker" is O.K. and the "Bus Song" is a little weird, with a sort of 1920's sound. "Birthday Morning" & "Like Always" have some good harmonizing in them. The bonus song "Six Man Band" has a crisp, wailing lead electric guitar that dominates the tune. Overall it is a good album and a must for any Association fan. This album was out of print for a very long time (about 25 years!) so I was estatic when I saw it on CD for sale. Also check out the Import versions of their previous works and their 1970's release "Association Live", also re-released.- RJB, 7/17/99."

Often considered to be their best album...

David Goodwin | Westchester, NY United States | 07/30/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...I admit that I don't love "Birthday" as much as everyone else does...while the standout tracks are really *standouts*, all in all there seems to be a bit too much "spirit" and not enough "songcraft" going around. Nevertheless, a very good album, and seemingly everyone else likes it enough to give it a recommendation, so I'll follow suit. I do think, however, that self-titled and Renaissance are better examples of what this band can do, however."