Customer Reviews

The Family

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

shawn smith has been a favorite of mine since i heard him singing back-up on an afghan whigs record. smith is amazing. he's the most overlooked talent of our generation. you have to see the man live.

sure, the album has a couple clinkers, like the bouncey "without love", but once you hear "criminal justice", "breathe deep", or my persoanl favorite "roll on", you'll be overwhelmed. and then you'l scramble for everything you can find by shawn.

check out the first twilight singers album. it features three of the most talented artists in music today, smith, greg dulli (previously of the afghan whigs) and happy chichester (of howlin' maggie). good stuff. the new howlin' maggie record, "hyde" is great as well.

I am a musician and I had the chance to see a couple of Brad shows in clubs in Houston and Austin. I went right to the front and watched Shawn Smith very closely. He is indeed a genius. I have attended hundreds of concerts and I am rarely moved. I left those Brad shows with chills that lasted for days. Of all the Smith work, I like "The Family" the best. These songs are gorgeous and complete. Not since Billy Joel's auspicious debut has piano-based rock music sounded so pure. Billy Joel, however, was unable to repeat the genius he displayed on "The Ballad of Billy the Kid." Say hello to the new Piano Man: Shawn Smith.

Shawn Smith is a musical genius. I owe all thanks to a friend who first turned me on to 'Brad', for enlightening me to the musical world of Shawn Smith, and the beautiful sounds Satchel. WARNING: This album is very deep and will definitely stir your emotions if you're an emotional type of person. If you are not one that can handle music that is beautifully depressing, then this is probably not an album for your tastes.

One of the people that has reviewed this album stated that "This album can make grown men cry" and expressed that one of the songs was good for listening to with that special someone in your life. All too true are these statements. I can tell you that there is more than one song on this album that can enhance the mood of moments shared with that special person in your life (girlfriend or wife). The music on this album is powerful and unless you are emotionally inept or simply cannot relate to the sort of music that Satchel is, you WILL be moved.

Satchel is one of rock's best kept secret. "Breathe Deep", is one of the greatest rock ballads ever. Shawn Smith's vocals are numbingly gorgeous. The music rocks!

Mere words escape me when it comes to Shawn Smith (& Company). I have yet to find any another musician(s) who effects me the way Shawn Smith does. If you have never heard any Satchel, this is a great place to start. Pivitol in the careers of all involved, this piece is beautiful, raw and amazing. I also recommend Shame, from Brad, an equally incredible CD. This is real music, for individuals who aren't afraid to look inside themselves. Hop on the train, you might like the journey, because there's alot more where this comes from, this is only the beginning...Brad, Satchel, Pigeonhead, Jeremy Tobak, Shawn Smith, Steve Fisk, Stone .... The list goes on. Buy it.

lolliegirl444l@yahoo.com

'The Family' is the second offering from Satchel,and in my opinion is their best album to date. Shawn Smith proves ones again that you don't need boyband looks to sing like an Angel! This album will have the hardest of men in tears. Unlike previous projects such as 'Pigeonhead' and 'Brad' this is a lot more mellow and soulful. 'Criminal Justice' is just a top tune, definately a must on the old stereo when snuggling up with that special person in your life :-)

One of vocalist and pianist Shawn Smith's many projects (see also The Twilight Singers, Brad, Pidgeonhead), Satchel produced one of the finest albums to appear on the American music scene in decades. The Family is an absolutely astounding album. I fell in love with it as soon as I popped it in the CD player the first time and I've been just as enthusiastic about it for several years now. And while Smith deservedly gets a lot of credit for Satchel's success, its important to note that the rest of the band is incredible as well.

I had the opportunity of acquiring a limited edition release of one of Shawn's solo shows and it truly blew my mind. Never before have I head such an incredible vocal performance. What he does here with Satchel remains his strongest studio work. Unfortunately, Satchel is no more but I'm sure we'll hear more from him in the future.

Amazon does not have this album listed as being out of stock or out of print, yet there is nothing to click on to purchase it. Where can I find it, or what is wrong with this Amazon page? Thanks!
Erin

Wonderful album from a band passed over in Seattle's grunge glory days.
Piano/organ driven rock with a gifted vocalist. Truly an unknown classic.