The Assocation - The Essentials (2002)

Since their biggest hits (with the exception of the kinetic "Along Comes Mary"), were smooth, well-produced love songs, the Association earned a reputation in the late '60s as a soft act -- a reputation that was not entirely fair. Their unbridled, bouncy enthusiasm aside, "Windy" was as solidly executed as any pop song of its era, and the ballads "Cherish" and "Never My Love" were articulate, well thought out, and well-executed love songs, while "Everything That Touches You" -- perhaps the finest song the Association recorded -- deserves to be recognized as a classic. This collection has the necessary hits, though not much else.