Chain
Studio album by
the Family Stand
Released1990
GenreR&B, rock[1]
LabelAtlantic
ProducerJeffrey 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]

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[15]
The Kansas City Star[12]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[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 (27 Apr 1990). "Stand Delivers R&B and Rock". Daily News. New York. p. 62.
  2. 1 2 3 Owen, Frank (Aug 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 24 September 2023.
  5. ↑ Whitall, Susan (3 May 1991). "Black musicians dip into past". The Times. Shreveport. Gannett News Service. p. 18C.
  6. ↑ Farmer, Robin (2 Aug 1990). "Family Stand Delights". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. E6.
  7. ↑ "Family Stand". Official Charts. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  8. ↑ Hill, Edward (5 Oct 1990). "Family Stand on mission for artistic quality". The Plain Dealer.
  9. 1 2 Potter, Mitch (29 June 1990). "The Family Stand Chain". Toronto Star. p. E16.
  10. 1 2 Jones IV, James T. (19 July 1990). "A double burst of funky fun". USA Today. p. 2D.
  11. ↑ Heim, Chris (7 Sep 1990). "The Family Stand, Saturday at Park West". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. M.
  12. 1 2 Triplett III, Ward W. (18 May 1990). "Spins". The Kansas City Star. p. G18.
  13. ↑ Ford, Lynn Dean (3 May 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 24 September 2023.
  16. ↑ Hunt, Dennis (13 Aug 1990). "Too Much Noise to Make Good Family Stand". Los Angeles Times. p. F10.
  17. ↑ Bream, Jon (31 Aug 1990). "The Weekly Three". Star Tribune. p. 14E.
  18. ↑ Kot, Greg (17 Feb 1991). "The real Grammy winners". Arts. Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
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