The Associates

35 years after its original release comes this 2 CD digipak edition of the band’s third studio album “Perhaps” plus related bonus tracks.
The Associates were leading lights of the New Pop movement from the early 1980’s. Hailing from Dundee on the east coast of Scotland, the band signed to Fiction Records before spells working with and recording for both Situation Two and WEA Records. Originally released in February 1985 after exhaustive recording sessions, Billy Mackenzie finally followed up the 1982 Associates album Sulk with this 10 track offering. The album was a long time in the making and featured four different producers, Heaven 17’s Martyn Ware, Martin Rushent, Dave Allen and Greg Walsh…

A defining 80s album that still sounds as fresh today as it did in 1982. From the excited insanity of Party Fears Two to the adrenaline rush of Club Country to the drug addled paranoia of No, Sulk is a multi dimensioned album that desperately needs a wider audience in this very one dimensional world. Billy sounds great, Alan is able to keep up (just!) and Sulk is defiant and definite. Gloomy Sunday is sumptuous, sultry and even the tatty version of Love Hangover literally bursts with energy, ideas and excitement.
All changes and switches aside, it's still very much the Associates at probably the best period of their career. Mackenzie's impossibly piercing cabaret falsetto rivals that of obvious role model Russell Mael from Sparks, while Rankine's ear for unexpected hooks and sweeping arrangements turns the stereotypes of early-'80s synth music on their heads…

The Associates - Sulk (1982) {2016 2CD Deluxe Edition}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 695 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 232 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 21 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1982, 2016 BMG | BMGCAT2CD53
New Wave / Post Punk / Alternative

BMG are to reissue Scottish post-punk band Associates’ first three albums as two-CD deluxe editions, along with a new double-disc anthology. Formed in Scotland in 1976 by Billy MacKenzie (vocals) and Alan Rankine (synths / guitars / programming), the pair settled on the name Associates in 1979 after a short period as The Ascorbic Ones and then for a while in 1979 with the moniker Mental Torture. Their debut album The Affectionate Punch was eventually released (on the Fiction label) in August 1980. The following year the band issued six singles (on another label, Situation Two) whose A and B-sides were gathered on the next long-player, compilation Fourth Drawer Down.

The Associates - Fourth Drawer Down (1981) {2016 2CD Deluxe Edition}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 517 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 189 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 25 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1981, 2016 BMG | BMGCAT2CD54
New Wave / Post Punk / Alternative

Digitally remastered and expanded two CD edition of this 1981 album. The original release of Fourth Drawer Down gathered The Associates' inventive, genre-defying singles released on Situation 2 on one LP. This new CD edition expands the original single LP to a two disc collection. The booklet features extensive liner notes, reproductions of original promotional material, previously unseen memorabilia and unpublished photos. Formed in in 1976 by Billy McKenzie and Alan Rankine, The Associates made lavish, genre-bending pop music.

The Associates - The Affectionate Punch (1980) {2016 2CD Deluxe Edition)
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 633 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 220 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 23 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1980, 2016 BMG | BMGCAT2CD70
New Wave / Post Punk / Alternative

Digitally remastered and expanded two edition of this 1980 album. The Associates debut LP The Affectionate Punch further cemented their growing reputation as sometimes startling, often enthralling innovators who recognized no musical rules. This expanded edition features the original LP in a new, hi resolution transfer from tape, and Disc Two features one previously unreleased track. The booklet features liner notes by Billy MacKenzie biographer Tom Doyle, reproductions of original promotional material and memorabilia, and previously unpublished photos.