If you go to Family of the Year’s Myspace page and look under influences you’ll see that they site Chumbawumba, Barenaked Ladies and System of a Down as their main influences. Try to wrap your head around that for a second. You know what’s funny? I was having a hard time describing Family of the Year’s new album “Songbook” until I read that. Family of the Year is to folk music what System of a Down is to heavy music. They’re a quirky band that catches the ear.
The album has some original song titles such as: “Putting Money and Stuff,” “Intervention (Staple Jeans),” “I Played Drums on This.” What sticks out to me the most from this band are the two part harmonies from lead singers Vanessa Jeanne Long and Joe Beaulieu Keefe. While Family of the Year sounds nothing like Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz or even John Mayer, I can see fans of those bands liking Family of the Year. Additionally, if you like the softer Pearl Jam songs, the folkier Black Crowes songs and dare I say “Led Zeppelin 3” you may also enjoy this band.
The highlight of the album for me has to be the song “Treehouse.” Joe Beaulieu Keefe handles vocals during the verses. If I had to describe the verses I would say they have a Sugar Ray feel to them. Vanessa Jeanne Long handles the chorus which is very much a sing-a-long chorus. I like the song because the verses and the bridge are very different from the chorus, but the transition into the chorus from the verse or the bridge is just beautiful. When the chorus hits you find yourself moving around like Alanis Morissette used to.
(Courtesy of Rennie Solis)
What’s Good? The album starts off with a very catchy song called “Feel Good Track of Rosemead.” Joe and Vanessa sing the verses as a two part harmony and then during the chorus they rotate lines. Kind of has a “Sgt. Pepper’s” era Beatles sound to it. The song “Let’s Be Honest” could actually be a small hit. I can hear Eddie Vedder singing that song. “Stupidland” is a very singable song that I think will be a fan favorite. I could go on and on with the list of catchy songs. Other notables are: “Summergirl,” “No Good at Nothing,” “Psyche or Like Scope,” and “Jamesy.”
What’s Bad? There’s nothing really wrong with Family of the Year. I prefer blues based rock like Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin or heavy metal like Metallica and Megadeth. So the only real complaint I have is that this isn’t my favorite style of music. That said Family of the Year does what they do very well.
As you may have notice I’ve mentioned several bands when trying to describe this band, everyone from Led Zeppelin to Sugar Ray, and from Pearl Jam to the Beatles. I don’t think it’s fair to Family of the Year to actually compare them to any of these bands. Any comparisons made are just an effort by me to try and give you an idea of what a particular song may sound like. Like I mentioned above, if you’re into relaxing mellow music, head over to http://familyoftheyear.net/ and pick up the band’s album “Songbook.”
BYLINE:
Bob Zerull is a frequent movie and concert goer who talks about his ventures to arenas and theaters more than any person should be allowed to do. Now, he puts them down on paper. Visit: www.cadaverchristmas.com. Email Bob at bob@zoiksonline.com.
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