Anyone copped this yet? Even though they are no longer on a major label, pro-tools etc... still means you can produce good records (if done correctly).


Iam happy to say its a real return to form after the average "connected" (it was not the same without Sandra, plain as...), and its a real surprise these guys can still produce and write such great songs. Why "getting happy" was not over radio's this summer is beyond me?

Tracklist

Super sol nova
Everything works out
Getting happy
009 intro
009
Dangerous
In the name of what?
The undiscovered country
Highway
Blazin (instrumental)
Sometimes
I thought we had
Innizout
Breakdown
Divided we stand
Slipped


As you can see, its good value for money track wise. It gets off to a shaky start with the title track. It sounds dated and despite a great hook on the chorus, the production is horrible.

Things get alot better with "everything is love" and "getting happy". "009" is an ambitious song complete with rap verses and tempo changes. I need to hear that one a few more times. "Dangerous" has a great chorus, whilst "in the name of what?" is a agressive Fuck you to the Bush era. Great track.

"the undiscovered country" is my fav track on there. Stunning track where all 3 take a verse each (Sandra is back and still has a fantastic voice). Amazing track. Lyrically Family Stand are as great as ever, and "undiscovered country" proves this. The last verse is creepy as hell, but its so well sung and so melodic its a wonderful end.

"highway" is yet another case of the family stand still able to write the most beautiful melodies. Its got a country vibe but it works so well. A few weak tracks afterwords ("inizout" is interesting lyrically but sounds too much like "in the name of what?", not a bad track though).

The gorgeous "I thought we had" is short but sweet and is them being inspired by Stevie Wonder yet again (much like the funky "slam", which they wrote and produced for Leotis decades before).

"divided we stand" is another politcal song and is strong. "slipped" is acoustic and again it's stunning yet so simple. Fantastic way to end the album.

I cant believe how good this album is, particually as its been so long we have heard for them. Makes you think WTF majors are thinking not signing them?

So not perfect of course, but as you can see from my bold lit highlighted tracks above, this album has a heck of alot to offer and is essential for Family Stand fans. Seriously they are back and I hope they do a volume 2 (the cd cover says volume 1 at the bottom). I think its better then "moon in scorpio", but then, Iam the only one who loves their very first album (dated as hell, but thats perfect for me).

Anyone else have it?

You are high and sick in the head Connected was the fucking bomb, even without Sandra. They managed to replace a killer lead with someone who easily fit her shoes. Is this out in the stores?

Damn. CDnow has it as an import. $43

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I do need to re-examine "connected", but sorry, the female vocalist is merely average next to Sandra. I like "keepin' you satisfied" though.

Production wise, the warm sounding "connected" is replaced by a harsha sound. The mix sounds more raw and more akin to "moon in scorpio", though actually its got more of a "chain" vibe production wise as you can tell they are back to being on a budget again. Still way prefer the production on "super sol nova" over "connected" though.

What are your fav albums and songs then? I loved the Evon Geffries album. Its so 80's and sounds so dated but I love that. It was a concept album, but songs like "witness" shits over anything Anita Baker ever did.
[Edited 12/5/07 16:47pm]

thesexofit said:

Hell No is Jackie McGee Average. She might not be a Sandra but she is FAR FAR FAR from average!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I just dont feel the album as much as the other 4. I dont like "chains" much, but thats better then "connected" I feel.

Iam pissed off its so hard to get. I found mine innocently at a record fair last summer. Paid normal price for it, and judging by the shitty cover, I wasn't looking forward to it LOL.

Same album...



...different cover.

I'll probably listen to it on the way home or tomorrow morning.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

Funny, as that picture is no where to be found on the cd booklet I have. Its not a very good pic of them either, and gives off the image (to me), that its a jazz set or something? In some ways, the cover I have is better (the cheap graphics LOL). The album is as vibrant as the original cover shows. Not the downbeat one your cover gives off.


Anyway, Iam a huge fan of these guys, but as I said, didn't really get into "connected". Seems the few of us who like Family Stand prefer different albums/periods. The evon Geffries album is all programmed and recorded and mixed digially etc... (or so it seems), so completely different to "connected". Shows these guys can change alot production wise, but can still deliver the goods when it comes to songs.

very cool. I loved Connected when it came out.

I love Connected!

When Heaven Calls
Butter
What Must I do Now
You DOnt Have to Worry
Fienin

are the

Im interested in hearing the new material. Will def. have to seek this out. Hopefully I can find it for less than 40 friggin dollars, though. ouch.

Connected is the ONLY cd they made that I don't like.

Kewl! I didn't know they were still around.

Chain was da mothereffin bomb for me. I still play it 4 or 5 times a year. So many great songs and lyrically/philosophically, Sweet Liberation is one of the greatest songs ever IMO.

I was so bummed when I got Moon in Scorpio; listened to it twice and then took it to the used store. I really don't like when soul artists try to add too much rock guitar to funky jams.

I can't stand most of Chos and Disorder (except for Dig U Better Dead and Into the Light). Never had much use for Living Colour either.

I've never heard Connected. Was it a return to a sound more consistent with Chain?

Speaking of great groups and albums most people never heard of... are y'all familiar with Colour Club?

Check 'em out here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/colourclub1
[Edited 12/8/07 4:28am]

I thought i was the ONLY fan that The Family Stand had....They are so prolific and talented as HELL....DOnt get the props they deserve.....I have to get this CD i heard it came out but no promotion or nothing on it...Are they touring? Anyone knows? Power to TFS! ALl the Cd's are the bomb to ME.....

thesexofit said:

Moon In Scorpio and Connected are my favorite. This band is what it is because of Sandra, BUT her fool ass left to make those more or less ridiculous solo albums (mackdiva I mostly love, gemini....wtf? ) and so long as she wasn't around to make Connected, I have no hate for that album. It is incredible and I think fans are biased against it because sandra's not on it. That album is just killer and sletp on like hell.

Am I the only one with their first album "Evon Geffries and the stand"? I would love to hear any opinions on it, as I love it.

Sandra looked fine on the cover too.

thesexofit said:

This is before Chain?

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Yep. It came out in 1988. Its dated as hell, and the budget on this album musta been alot bigger then on "chains", as everything is slick as hell.

Its a concept album of a relationship. Not sure people would like it though, as everything is synth'd up or drum programmed. If the uptempo numbers dont suit, the ballads/slow jams are worth a look. "Simply love" and "witness" are sorta in that Anita Baker mold, but alot better. "Witness" is one of my fav family stand tracks ever,

Think "avenue lust" off "chain", but a bit more overproduced. And "in summer I fall" represents the ballads, but again more slick and a bit more commercial.

thesexofit said:

wow. i'll have to seek this out. is it ou of print?

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Is that site STILL around?

Boy, CDnow used to be SO cool before it emerged with Amazon

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:[quote]

thesexofit said:

http://www.amazon.com/Cha...341&sr=1-2


Not sure about the "release date: 1974" LOL. But thats not a bad price surely?

Iam warning you though, its extremely dated and you gotta love layers of icky synths and drum programmes to appreciate it.
[Edited 12/12/07 15:02pm]

Harlepolis said:

I don't really know where else to buy used stuff online

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I found it for you for $5 man, that ain't too bad surely

thesexofit said:

on CDnow.com?!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

No LOL. I replied to you above about the Evon Jeffries album. Its around $5 on amazon.com. I provided the link above.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

You got a point.

thesexofit said:

Do u like the Evon cd?

Graycap23 said:

Massively LOL.

But, I love that cookie cutter late 80's, heavily programed, layered sound. I can see why that album bombed though (thank god Atlantic gave them another chance). For 1988, next to Guy, Bobby Brown, Al b sure! etc...., it sounded dated. They timed it really badly, just when rnb was changing bigtime. The uptempo's, as I said, sorta sound like bigger budgeted versions of "avenue lust", along those lines.

"why does it hurt when we kiss" I guess reminds me of "twisted", but I much prefer "why does it....." as the production is more high tech and in general, that song and most the others, are better then anything off "chain" (no rock influences whatsoever on "evon....")

V Jeffrey Smith does a sax intrumental, whilst Sandra duets with Peter on a couple of tracks (as I said, it is a concept album, not that it matters much), but sings slight majority of songs solo, whilst Peter only gets one solo lead vocal.

No politcal songs, social songs, angry songs about record companies LOL. Just songs about relationships. For me, its probably in my top 20 of all time, but that ain't sayin' much if you know my collection LOL.

thesexofit said:

Interesting. It took me years 2 find it. I've listened 2 it once.

Graycap23 said:

Ouch LOL. I assumed you hadn't heard it, sorry. I have told others on here it is very different in production to "chain" and especially "moon in scorpio" and "connected". Its strictly rnb/pop, and nothing else. No acoustic songs, country songs whatever..... I get the feeling the guys themselves wouldn't want to talk about that album anymore. I got stacks of dated shit in my collection, and evon ranks pretty high production wise.

I can see why you hate on it.