Album of the Day

For The Association's first album on Warner Bros. the label paired the sextet with producer Bones Howe (The Mamas & the Papas, The Turtles) hoping to steer the band in a more commercial direction. The move paid off spectacularly - 1967's INSIGHT OUT included No. 1 hit “Windy” and No. 2 hit “Never My Love,” both of which would rank among the most played singles on the radio that year. While those two songs were penned by outside writers, nearly half the tracks were band originals; the nostalgic “Wasn't It a Bit Like Now?,” sunshine popper “Sometime” and ambitious anti-war ballad “Requiem for the Masses” are some of this eclectic set's many pleasures. Featuring the group's magnificent harmonies (and instrumental work by several Wrecking Crew aces), the Gold-certified INSIGHT OUT is one of The Association's finest albums, and we'll give it another spin to wish rhythm guitarist Russ Giguere a happy 80th birthday.