Search - The Association :: Insight Out

Happiness Is The Association

Alan Caylow | USA | 07/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With the temporary departure of singer/guitarist Jules Alexander, with his vacancy being filled by Larry Ramos (who still fronts the touring version of the band with Russ Giguere to this day), The Association struck commercial gold with their third album, 1967's "Insight Out," one of their most classic releases. It's got the group's biggest hit on it, the sunny #1 smash "Windy" (written for the band by a young female friend), as well as the all-time Wedding Day favorite, "Never My Love" (which reached #2). But these aren't the only great songs on the album---there's the ragtime rock of "Wasn't It A Bit Like Now," the dreamy "On A Quiet Night," the bouncy pop of "When Love Comes To Me," the rockin' "Reputation," the sitar-flavored pop-rock of "Wantin' Ain't Gettin'," and the totally powerful anti-war number, "Requiem For The Masses." Fabulous songs, performances, and vocal harmonies. When it comes to 60's "sunshine pop," there's nobody better than The Association. "Insight Out" is outstanding."

That Summer of 1967

D. R. Saxton | Bemus Pt. N.Y. USA | 02/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow! This album brings back some of my most vivid childhood memories. With the exception of "Reputation", every song on this album is such a great masterpiece. Starting with "Wasn't It A Bit Like Now", an uptempo, 1920's throw-back, in a rock capsule, the song gets the CD going in fine fashion. I just love the lyrics, even though the modern part of the song is now so severely dated. Next , the tempo is simmered into a beautiful and reflective ballad, "On a Quiet Night". Jim Yester's voice is perfect for this lonely, late at night piece. It reminded me of the summer nights I spent on my Grandmother's farm back in the '60's. "We Love Us" is a pleasant ballad sung by Ted the drummer and Larry Ramos, the new guy in the band.(Ted is not one of the stronger vocalists of the Association, but the song is still soothing.) "When Love Comes to Me" is a mid-tempo love song that really grows on you. Terry Kirkman has a nice recorder solo in the middle of the song and then again at the fade. What can I say about "Windy"? Does 60's pop get much better than this?

"Reputation" sung by Brian Cole is the only dud song on the CD. It just doesn't fit.



Side two starts with the beautiful ballad, "Never My Love".

Oh, what harmonies! "Happiness Is" is the ultimate sunshine, "HAPPY" song that reflects the beach and those groovy times of the 60's. Russ sings on the next piece which is a middle of the road pop song. His voice is quite unique. Tha next song,"Wantin' Ain't Gettin'" is a sitar driven, psych-pop song that makes no sense. (Their version of the Strawberry Alarm Clock) and the album finishes with the masterpiece, "Requiem for the Masses". There are some real top rate harmonies in this tragic story. I never did get the message that was portrayed when I was 11 years old.



This marked the first album where many studio musicians were brought in so the album has a much more polished sound than the previous two LP's. Unfortunately, since the same studio musicians were so widely used in the 60's, the album instrumentation takes on the sound of The 5th Dimension, and the Mamas and Papas, and several other 60's super-groups. That's what made the Association's first two albums so unique. However, this was the first Association album I bought and it will always bring back those memories of "Quiet Nights" back on the farm, the summer of 1967."

Cool album!

andy8047 | Nokomis,Florida | 11/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album spawned two Top 10 hits,WINDY and NEVER MY LOVE. This album was originally released in late 1967 on Warner Bros. WS 1696(stereo). Mono copies bore a single W. This is one of a few albums that WB put out several months before they phased out mono. Also before they shifted to WB/Seven Arts for two years. Good,album,though."