Chain (The Family Stand album)

Last updated

Chain
Chain (The Family Stand album).jpg
Studio album by
the Family Stand
Released1990
Genre R&B, rock [1]
Label Atlantic
Producer Jeffrey Smith, Peter Lord
The Family Stand chronology
Chapters: A Novel by Evon Geffries and the Stand
(1987)		Chain
(1990)		 Moon in Scorpio
(1991)

Chain is an album by the American band the Family Stand, released in the United States in 1990. [2] [3] The first single, "Ghetto Heaven", was a hit in dance clubs; "Chain" was also released as a single. [4] [5] The band supported the album with a North American tour. [6] Chain peaked at No. 52 on the UK Albums Chart. [7]

Contents

Production

The Family Stand hoped to craft a nonmainstream album that would still be played on Black radio; according to the band, Atlantic Records delayed Chain due to doubts about radio success. [8] [2] Their chief influence was Sly and the Family Stone. [2] Sandra St. Victor sang lead on "In Summer I Fall". [9] "Little White, Little Black Lies" examines racism in Christianity. [10] The rap in "Twisted" implores the Jackson family to avoid additional plastic surgery; the track includes a snippet of a Malcolm X speech. [11] [12] The title track urges listeners to avert the bad habits of their parents. [13] "Ovasaxed" is a saxophone-led instrumental. [14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [15]
The Kansas City Star Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]

The Toronto Star called the album "a virtually seamless blend of vintage soul, hip-hop, modern rhythm 'n' blues and rock, decorated around the edges with jazzy frills." [9] USA Today deemed it "in-depth music that moves the mind as well as the butt." [10] The Los Angeles Times opined that St. Victor "displays a dynamic and impressive range." [16] The Star Tribune concluded that "the quirky 'Twisted' is the gem here... It's a 1990 answer to Prince's socially conscious 'Sign o' the Times'." [17] The Chicago Tribune considered Chain to be "one of the great lost albums of 1990." [18]

AllMusic determined that "the title track ... is melodic in a muddy way, the muffled sound gives the shuffling rhythm an eerie effect." [15]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Ghetto Heaven (Remix)" 
2."Twisted" 
3."Only" 
4."In Summer I Fall" 
5."Ovasaxed" 
6."Sweet Liberation" 
7."The Last Temptation" 
8."Chain" 
9."Avenue Lust" 
10."Little White, Little Black Lies" 
11."Ghetto Heaven" 

References

  1. ↑ Wyatt, Hugh (April 27, 1990). "Stand Delivers R&B and Rock". Daily News. New York. p. 62.
  2. 1 2 3 Owen, Frank (August 1990). "Family Values". Spin. Vol. 6, no. 5. p. 12.
  3. 1 2 The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 240.
  4. ↑ "The Family Stand Biography by Andrew Hamilton". AllMusic. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  5. ↑ Whitall, Susan (May 3, 1991). "Black musicians dip into past". The Times. Shreveport. Gannett News Service. p. 18C.
  6. ↑ Farmer, Robin (August 2, 1990). "Family Stand Delights". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. E6.
  7. ↑ "Family Stand". Official Charts. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  8. ↑ Hill, Edward (October 5, 1990). "Family Stand on mission for artistic quality". The Plain Dealer.
  9. 1 2 Potter, Mitch (June 29, 1990). "The Family Stand Chain". Toronto Star. p. E16.
  10. 1 2 Jones IV, James T. (July 19, 1990). "A double burst of funky fun". USA Today. p. 2D.
  11. ↑ Heim, Chris (September 7, 1990). "The Family Stand, Saturday at Park West". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. M.
  12. 1 2 Triplett III, Ward W. (May 18, 1990). "Spins". The Kansas City Star. p. G18.
  13. ↑ Ford, Lynn Dean (May 3, 1991). "The Family Stand Chain". The Indianapolis Star. p. B5.
  14. ↑ Sandow, Greg (May 11, 1990). "Chain". Entertainment Weekly.
  15. 1 2 "Chain Review by Andrew Hamilton". AllMusic. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  16. ↑ Hunt, Dennis (August 13, 1990). "Too Much Noise to Make Good Family Stand". Los Angeles Times. p. F10.
  17. ↑ Bream, Jon (August 31, 1990). "The Weekly Three". Star Tribune. p. 14E.
  18. ↑ Kot, Greg (February 17, 1991). "The real Grammy winners". Arts. Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
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