Familial

Philip Selway | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 31, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B003VSMOXY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,551 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

'When you're the same age as the Prime Minister, you think, I'd better get on with this,' Philip Selway grins as he acknowledges the new sea change in British politics, but popularity is generally a passing phase while your first album - that's forever. Knowing time waits for no one, he has delivered 'Familial,' a collection of sublimely fragile, haunting, and heartfelt songs that will surprise many, and not only because drummers traditionally don't do this kind of thing. 'Familial' is so persuasively good, it sounds like Selway has always been a singer-songwriter.

It's a sideline solo project, mind. The morning he talks about his record for the very first time, he still has to leave for a rehearsal down the road by an acclaimed Oxford-based band, named Radiohead, for whom Selway has drummed immaculately and imaginatively for the last 20 years. And with the admission, 'It's a cardinal sin for drummers to come in to rehearsals with the comment 'I've got this song'!' He knows the time has come for his songs, put on ice when drumming took over in his late teens, to emerge into the light.

Listeners to 'Familial' will immediately recognize the ring of absolute truth, melodies and words fired by emotions, and not a whiff of dilettante posturing. In truth, what truly ignited Selway's efforts to record wasn't Britain's political transformation but the loss of his mother in 2006. 'It was one of those watershed moments that shake everything up, and you get a greater sense of urgency on what you want to do in life,' he says.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A quiet, short, nice album, August 31, 2010

By 

rocket21 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Familial [+Digital Booklet] (MP3 Download)

It's interesting to hear the solo projects of members of the UK-based band Radiohead. Jonny Greenwood has tended go produce classical, non-vocal music, whilst Thom Yorke has put out an album of electronica.

Drummer Phil Selway has released "Familial," which is less of a departure from Radiohead than the other solo projects. That said, it bears little resemblance to the better known Radiohead material.

The album clocks in at just over half an hour of songs driven by acoustic guitar. Selway's vocals, accompanied by female vocals in some songs, show decent range - sort of a toned down Thom Yorke. The songs feature a variety of quiet instrumentation in addition to the acoustic guitar. In my limited listens thus far, there's no drumset to be heard anywhere - certainly a statement, considering Selway's best known as a drummer.

In comparison to other artists, I would compare this album to Nick Drake, the quieter Sigur Ros, and the lesser known 1990s Radiohead B-Sides. In terms of modern Radiohead, some songs feel like quieter versions of In Rainbows' "House of Cards."

While my opinion may change as I listen to the album in the coming weeks and months, I think this may be my favorite solo album released by any of the members of Radiohead thus far.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hey man, slow down, slow down, September 1, 2010

By 

K. Gray "you know, that guy" (Oneonta, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Familial (Audio CD)

Would Philip Selway's debut solo folk album be getting as much exposure as it is, if Philip Selway wasn't also the drummer of one of the most important bands of the last 20 years? Short answer, no.

I by no means mean that as an insult. 'Familial' is a deliciously simple, quiet, soothing album with just enough interesting song constructions and lyrics to keep it from becoming middle-of-the-road folk music you'd find someone playing in your local coffeehouse. The fact that it's made by Radiohead's drummer both elevates Phil's album and Radiohead's collection itself. After listening to 'Familial' you will gain a new respect for Phil's drumming in Radiohead, particularly his knack for restraint. There is a pulling tension in these songs that you can also hear in his drumming style, and it adds to the pleasant, pillowy uneasiness (I don't know how else to describe it) that you experience both here and in Radiohead.

Philip's voice is whispery and soothing. The entire album also reminds me of James Iha's solo album (former guitarist in Smashing Pumpkins), except that Phil's songwriting is far superior. I'm glad that Phil had the opportunity to make this album, and that I chose to listen to it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "...Cardinal Sin...", September 21, 2010

By 

Shannen D. Norris "'ello...?" (Dover, DE) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Familial (Audio CD)

Those were the words Phil used himself when describing the story behind his album. More specifically, he was alluding to his career as Radiohead's (phenomenal) drummer and eventual leap to a "solo album." After listening to the entire album four times, I think it's safe to venture and say it was a very good call for Selway.

No. It is not Perfect... ...it is Beautiful.

But as a serious Radiohead fan and music enthusiast, I want to warn all Radiohead fans:

This. Is. Not. Radiohead.

But it Is Philip Selway.

That said, listen accordingly.

So...if you're into music that doesn't suck, (Good Music, in layman terms [For all you Lady Gaga fans, sorry]) buy this album. Buy it now.

Each and every track retains it's own individual identity and expression. My favorite thus far is "By Some Miracle."

Find your own...

...enjoi.

*Four and one-half Stars*