Search - Family :: It's Only a Movie

Last Stop -- Family Coda Gets Looser & Funkier

Michael Strom | Chicago, IL USA | 01/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alas, the last Family album. At the end of an incredible run of creativity and intensity, they turned out their loosest, funkiest effort. Most Family devotees would not consider it their favorite, but this is nonetheless an outstanding album.

These guys were not exactly known for R&B roots, but along with a significant change in the band's personnel, several tracks displayed a surprisingly funky side ("Boots 'n' Roots," "Banger," "Sweet Desiree," & maybe even "Suspicion."). The trend continued into Chapman & Whitney's subsequent band, Streetwalkers.



The title track is a stunner, given Family's taut, intent past. The lead vocals are casual, offhand, conversational and not even by Roger Chapman. Chapman added to his rougues gallery of perverts-as-protagonists with "Boom Bang," with Chappo front & center as a flasher. As usual for his weirdo stories, the tempo is unusual, the pace is aggressive, the lyrics are amusing & Roger howls at the moon.



The album ends (fittingly?) with "Check Out," a song about a prison break. Check out they did, with a straightahead (for these guys) guitar and organ workout. I still miss them.



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