The Family (Mashmakhan album)

The Family
Studio album by Mashmakhan
Released 1971
Recorded 1971 at Columbia B Studios
Genre Rock fusion
Label Epic
Producer Billy Jackson
Professional reviews

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Mashmakhan chronology
Mashmakhan
(1970)		 The Family
(1971)		 Mashmakhan/The Family
(1995)
Singles from The Family
  1. "Couldn't Find the Sun"
    Released: 1971
  2. "Start All Over"
    Released: 1971

The Family is the second studio album by Canadian Rock fusion band Mashmakhan.

Contents

History

In 1970, Mashmakhan released their self-titled debut album, which released three successful singles and garnered critical acclaim. After the debut album was released, Mashmakhan later contributed to the musical score of the 1971 film Epilogue/Fieve, with the song "Couldn't Find the Sun." The track from the film was released as the first single to Mashmakhan's second album, followed by "Start All Over." Mashmakhan afterwords released their second album, The Family, which bombed shortly after.[2][3] The Family, along with Mashmakhan's debut album, were compiled into one compact disc by Collectables Records, Mashmakhan/The Family in 1995. The last track of The Family, "Mr. Tree" was cut off due to time restraints.[4]

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Children of the Sun"   3:29
2. "The Family"   5:10
3. "The Prince"   5:13
4. "Come Again"   4:36
5. "Children Laughing"   3:34
6. "Couldn't Find the Sun"   2:41
7. "Start All Over"   3:43
8. "Mr. Tree"   6:11

Reception

At the album's release, it was a major flop, due to loss of fan support.[2] The album received mixed reviews from critics. The Family was well received by Allmusic, getting a four and a half out of five star review, along with an "AMG Album Pick." Allmusic critic Lindsay Planer stated that the album is "a noticeably more cohesive collection," and a "thematic return" to the "rural introspection" that had "influenced much of their self-titled debut." Lindsay stated that the opening tracks "continue in the progressive rock leanings established on their earlier effort." Lindsay praised "Senecal's deft and ethereal flute" instantly evoking Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull and said that "Blake's delicate fretwork" had the "combo's affective vocal harmonies" highlight the tracks "The Family" and "Come Again."[1] Canuckistan Music reviewer Michael Panontin gave the album a relatively unfavourable review, stating that "The Family finds Mashmakhan skirting the cusp of sixties hippiedom, following the current towards a then-fashionable heavy blues/jazz sound, but foundering somewhat in lead-like Hammond chords, overwrought guitar, awkward signature changes and generally tepid harmonies." Panontin wrote that the album is "nothing like the naive pop of "As the Years Go By" or the freaked-out energy of 'Days When We Are Free.'" on the first LP.[5]

Personnel

References

  1. ^ a b Planer, Lindsay. "The Family > Overview" (DLL). 1168 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, United States of America: Allmusic/All Media Guide. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r44196. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  2. ^ a b Pettipas, Keith. "Mashmakhan > Biography" (DLL). 1168 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, United States of America: Allmusic/All Media Guide. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p19198/biography. Retrieved August 10, 2009. 
  3. ^ "Mashmakhan - Biography". Canadian Bands.com. http://www.canadianbands.com/Mashmakhan.html. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  4. ^ Pettipas, Keith. "Mashmakhan/The Family > Overview" (DLL). 1168 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, United States of America: Allmusic/All Media Guide. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r444879. Retrieved August 11, 2009. 
  5. ^ Panontin, Michael. review "Mashmakhan - The Family" (PHP). CanuckistanMusic.com. http://www.canuckistanmusic.com/index.php?maid=23 review. Retrieved August 15, 2009.