MUSIC IN A DOLL'S HOUSE

This record is sadly the very best thing Family ever did, If you like this then the rest of their catalogue is likely to disappoint. Family where considered one of the most important underground bands of that heady year of 1968 and the resulting recording remains a vital document of the tail end of psycedelia and the first rumblings of proto-prog. The music is still very much in the beat mould with a very strong hint of the blues. 1968 was the year that hippy nievity started to give way to a darker but more realistic revolution in thought and style however this album sits neatly at that transition between Sgt Pepper and the Court of the Crimson King. 'The Chase' starts the show off with Rodger Chapman's, Larry the lamb vocals to the front. "Mellowing Grey" is the most interesting cut on the whole record with it otherworldly mellotron sound , which sounds very like the Pink Floyd's Julia Dream. This track is certainly dripping with acid (lsd) as is the whole LP."Never Like This" is upbeat and strongly hints at the down side of acid. As confused as the drug that inspired it, the ambiguity is both charming and chilling. By "Winter" the Lp is already starting on its way down from the peak of mellowing grey, a good track with a strong piano sound."Old Songs for New Songs" starts interestingly and then becomes a blues number very dated sounding but still fun. "Variations on a Theme of the Breeze" short and over quickly."See Through Windows" is another good blues type track, but again it sounds very dated now."Peace of Mind" is another choice cut but that vocal sounds very muddy but modern standards. "3 X Time" closes the show with the most truly proggy cut lots of interesting things are going on here. Over all the production is hard to like the record sounds better than the CD mainly I suspect because the original mix hid a lot of sonic imperfections. However by the Standards of the time , when pop record generally had very poor production this recording is better than average. It is as an example of the music of 1968 that this record has it greatest importance with its acid soaked lyrics and indeed its trip like structure it must has accompanied many a young persons psychedelic initiation. Like Acid the record is not always a pleasant ride and like acid nothing substantial came of this record. Family never sounded as good again and disappeared from the scene in the mid seventies. A band that promised much but only delivered consistently on this one record. It is a must have recording although it certainly doesn't deserve 5 stars. There is a CD version that ties this record with a later Family LP which is good value and is probably the best way to experience this recording. The first pressing is hard to find in good condition which is quite telling. Family was a band that had a following that included young women very like the moody blues in that respect. This was a classic record of its time and sold quite well. Outside of 1968 it now sounds very dated in many respects, people simple do not play mellotrons like that anymore which is a shame as it had a otherwordlyness that is now lost to the latter end of the sixties and the start of tyhe 1970's. In closing I would recommend this record but no other by Family as a must own addition to a good collection of prog and proto-prog. It is a progressive recording without doubt.