Fiction Family Reunion
Artist: Fiction Family
Label: Rock Ridge Music
Release Date: January 29, 2013
Duration: 10 tracks, 36:39
Fiction Family Reunion, the second offering by Fiction
Family, shows consistency and growth. With co-founders Jon Foreman of
Switchfoot and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek taking turns at song writing and
vocals the album takes emotional turns by the song without losing direction or
the listener’s attention. Again, the LP’s collection has something to offer to
all in that Foreman and Watkins bring their backgrounds of folk and pop in this
self-produced, close-to-the-heart work.
With a Beatles-like beat, “Avalon” gives us the meaning of
the word in music – ‘a paradise to which Arthur is carried after his death’. Solid
lyrics and a great segue to an acoustic guitar lead prove “Guilt” is one of the
better relationship songs on vinyl today. “Up Against the Wall” holds heartache’s
turn with lyrics ‘Love is a puzzle which can’t be solved…up against the wall’.
“Give Me Back My Girl” is upbeat with hot ‘clapping’
percussion; the song snaps and boils against Foreman’s ever-smooth vocals. With
‘I am damaged and I don’t want you to know’, “Damaged” tells of the singer’s
secret to their lover with dream-like lyrics and solid lead guitar. In “God
Badge “ a toy-like piano gives way to deep, passionate bass and lyrics, ‘Put
your God badge down, and love someone.’
From slow and mellow with “Never Call”, to fast and
hillbilly country-like with “Just Rob Me”, or from light and comical with
“Reality Calls” to a sorrowful story of a friend lost to poor lifestyle choices
in “Fools Gold”, Reunion shines with diversity.
As a collection, the ten offerings stand on their own. The
first six offer something unique with energy and emotion. The final four offer
a little comedy with a smile or sadness with tear. All told this collection is
well written, performed, and engineered and worth many a listen.
Scott S Mertens
4 tocks
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