Album of the Day

Sunshine pop rarely shone brighter than on the records of The Association. For their fourth album, BIRTHDAY, the sextet worked with producer Bones Howe and top L.A. session players to intertwine harmony vocals and intricate arrangements on 11 sparkling tracks including a pair of Top 40 hits: “Everything That Touches You” and “Time For Livin'.” While the Warner Bros. collection shows The Association moving farther afield from rock fashions (though “The Time It Is Today” touches on then-current psychedelia), the strong sense of melody gives these songs broad appeal; listeners willing to venture beyond the band's greatest hits will find much to enjoy here. We'll give BIRTHDAY another spin in honor of singer-guitarist Jim Yester, born on this day in 1939.