BANDSTAND

Family

Eclectic Prog

3.48 | 88 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer

A nice and inventive packaging is not always the guarantee that the inside would be on par. This is the least that I can say about this album.

I have never been a devoted fan of this band but the talent of such a great vocalist as Chapman is of course immense and deserves the most profound respect. But the music that they offered at least in the studio; because the band was much better while playing live, has never exceeded the good rating as far as I'm concerned (meaning three stars). This album won't be an exception and I can't even think of more than two stars to catalogue it.

There is some heavy blues on this album, some funk as well. These are not really the genres that I embrace. But even so, I have to say that Broken Nose is probably one of the best track of this album. A deadly funky and wild beat throughout, for sure. Not very prog, is it?

The other favourite of mine is the excellent opening track Burlesque. But none of the other tracks are really fascinating: the mellow and countryside My Friend The Sun is just a press next type of songs.

Even if this album is not their last one, it sounds as if the end was near (and so was it). String arrangements just don't speak to me (Glove). On the contrary, most of the time, they just ruin it all. In all, I don't like this album. It just failed of sinking completely thanks to a couple of songs (Burlesque and Broken Nose) but the funky feeling is too strong (Ready To Go). Is this funky-prog???

Some good blues-rock with Top Of The Hill...Ok, it is my preferred song from this offering. Is it necessary to tell that the heart and soul Chapman is just wonderful? And that strings are not welcome in my opinion? Anyway, this song is a very good closing number. But there weren't many good ones before it.

ZowieZiggy | 2/5 | 2008-11-8

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this FAMILY review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to ZowieZiggy
Report this review (#188465)
Buy FAMILY music online with PA partners
Show all FAMILY MP3/Stream
Go to FAMILY page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to Bandstand page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for FAMILY related discussions