Search - Family :: Fearless

Top 10

Right Stuff | Boston, MA | 05/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As an early Family fan, I bought Music In a Doll's House when it was released, I believe that Fearless stands out as one of the 10 best albums of all time. Chapman's voice is one of the best in rock and roll. It's really a shame that they never really hit it big in the US but nothing can take away from their talent. A true test of a great album is the ability to stand the test of time and Fearless does that remarkably well."

A Classic That Never Was

Juan Mobili | Valley Cottage, NY USA | 03/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As it has been said by many already, Family was one of the Brit Rock bands which received the least--of what would have been highly deserved--praise toward the end of Rock's most creative years. Released in 1971, the lineup had changed a bit since its early days, long gone was Rick Gretch--who had joined short-lived super group Blind Faith--yet his replacement, pre-King Crimson John Wetton , was a stroke of genius.



The whole album maintains a level of inventiveness and musicianship that is rare today and not a given then. More daring that classic Rock and not quite as experimental as some of the great Prog-Rock gestating at the time, Family did not fit in a specific camp which it may why it suffered unjustly from full recognition, given some groups that would receive it in those years.



From the gutsy "Between Blue and Me" and the Tom Waits-like feel of "Sat'd'y Barfly"--a song Tom could actually add to his repertoire--the band is off to the races, so to speak. Then comes one of my favorite, "Larf and Sing," unfortunately only 2:40 long in which Wetton shines and a chorus sectioon--Gentle Giant would patent it later--that takes the song even to further creative heights. Also worth mentioning are the sweet folkie feel of "Children" and "Save Some for Thee" which might make you think of a gutsier Traffic--circa "The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys ..." era.



Last--best for last, if you will--and probably a voice even more neglected than the band he fronted, there is Mr. Roger Chapman, Family's lead singer and incandescent heart of the band. Chapman, gifted with pipes that could wrench your heart with his dramatic range at one point, rock like crazy or do justice to a soft lullaby, makes a great album simply extraordinary.



All in all one of the few albums of the early Seventies worth the price of an import, and capable of holding its own with any bands from those times as well as these.



FYI: make sure you get the import edition that includes worthy additional tracks, and replicates the great packaging concept from the original vinyl edition."

Family Friend

Steve McMullen | Upland, CA United States | 01/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like the Wizard said, "Fearless is Peerless". All the previous reviews are spot on. Get this CD just to hear - Sat'd'y Barfly and Larf and Sing - two uniquely crafted tunes. The old vinyl sleeve with it's multiple gatefold design was also quite interesting.

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