Wild and Lonely

Following the collapse of his relationship with WEA over their refusal to release The Glamour Chase, Billy Mackenzie signed with Circa and aimed for a fresh start with Wild and Lonely, again acting as the sole bandmember with a variety of, well, associates. While praised by critics and fans, it turned out to be the last Associates album, feeling just a little out of sync in 1990’s musical universe. For all that, songs like “Fever,” “Just Can’t Say Goodbye” and the title track showcase Mackenzie’s one-of-a-kind singing to a T, offsetting hints of blandness elsewhere.