1968 W L PROMO FAMILY DOLLS HOUSE UK PSYCH Prog

$

147

 RARE 1968 ORIGINAL ~ WHITE LABEL PROMO

                       FAMILY

           Music In A Dolls House

\                     USA - REPRISE RECORDS - 6312 - WHITE LABEL PROMOTIONAL 

RARE Original 1968 first pressing WHITE LABEL PROMOTIONAL of the very first FAMILY album -- one that opened a lot of collectors ears 40 years back ... immediately striking are the dynamic vocals by Roger Chapman in a strained quivery style (described as a bleating lamb) backed by a tight, adventurous and diverse quartet of intsrumentalists -- including not only the basic guitar, bass & drums line-up but also complimented with excellent violin & reeds which delivers an early progressive direction (with remnants of psychedelia).

Music in a Doll's House was the first album by the psychedelic/ progressive group, released in July 1968. The album, co-produced by Dave Mason of Traffic and is considered to be of their best ...

Their debut album (which is technically flawless, by the way), is a hell of a trip, released when hell of a trip albums were in vogue.

Opener “The Chase” is a surprisingly catchy anthem for the album. For something so short, the instrumental sections, are surprisingly well thought out, including a cool 'speeding up' section at the end. “Mellowing Grey” is a good little bombastic ballad. The use mellotron and the strings gives it that whole Moody Blues feel.

“Never Like This” opens with a very cool and catchy riff, and then transforms into a folksy, organ backed rocker. Very nice, especially the chorus. The occasional lack of attention to rhyme is also kinda fun. “Me My Friends” has that very stately, medieval opening, and a very stately, medieval verse, but when Capman picks up the chorus? Fantastic. “Variation on a Theme of Hey Mr. Policeman” is exactly what it sounds like. Short and cool.

“Winter” is a piano led ballad. It’s a little heavier than “Mellowing Grey,” but still quite good. “Old Songs for New Songs” has a quiet false opening, then it transforms into an energetic blues piece. But it has one more transformation to go: what’s with that freaky falsetto chorus? Not to mention that it breakdowns to an equally energetic guitar/reeds/harmonica jam at the end. Another short, short instrumental: “Variations on a Theme of the Breeze”

Doll’s House is like Aqualung or Procol Harum in its ability to piss me off with the collection of near flawless tune that makes it hard to choose a best song. In the end, the pick to click may be “Hey Mr. Policeman.” Not because it’s the strongest piece on the album, there are too many candidates, but because it happens to be one of the most memorable. It’s a blooz bit that manages to be both dirty and subtle, and the violin lines are flawless.

Almost Eastern themed rocker “See Through Windows” is actually really, really good. For one thing, a catchy harmonica riff. Pretty cool drumming too, and pay attention to that middle part where everything falls away but the harmonica playing that riff, and the drums and bass come in on the alternative beats. “Variations on a Theme of Me my Friend” is the only one that sounds utterly different; sitar!!

“Peace of Mind” is a screwed up...rural rocker? Nice use of violin. We slide seamlessly into “Voyage,” which is, quite possibly, even more screwed up; it’s psychedelia. The mood is unsettling, and the reeds are nearly Crimsonian on that one. Of course, the weird sound effects part might get on your nerves. This eventually leads to “The Breeze,” a startlingly quiet ballad. The chorus is cool, but it’s not quite as nice as “Grey” or “Winter.”

Ah, the finisher. “3 X Time” has a very lovely, medieval styled opening. But then that steady drum attack leads us into...a kazoo led marching band! Then it becomes some bloozy, familiar sounding instrumentation, and then...marching band again! Holy crap, yes! This song is awesome. Dig the ending, by the way. Hilarious.

Now, let’s face it, these guys coulda blowed the Moody Blues out of the water if they’d wanted to take the whole art pop route. Like the Moodies, they have an uncanny sense of making intelligent, but catchy, melodies. However, unlike the Moodies, they are a far more diverse and interesting set of musicians. Oh well, Family was still too weird for the art pop route. Can you imagine “Goat Man” Chappman singing “Nights in White Satin?”, but it’s a little...different...

Simply put, this album is Days of Future Passed with balls. Days has the edge with the whole endless beauty thing, but this album has a sense of humor and killer musicians to boot; the jam at the end of “Old Songs for New Songs” should prove that. Pay attention to ALL the instruments, from guitar to drums, and you’ll see/hear. Plus, Doll’s House is more “experimental” too! The Moodies never screwed around with bizarre sound effects passages, or the left and right channels like these lads do.

Another thing, this album is much more varietous than it seems on the first listen. Blues, eastern themes, country, hard rock, balladeering folk, it’s all there. It’s just a little...twisted.

This very well may be a forgotten masterpiece of the genre! What genre you ask? Perhaps something like 1968 art rock is vague enough to cover an album as vague as this.

Side one

1. "The Chase" – 2:16
2. "Mellowing Grey" – 2:48
3. "Never Like This" – 2:20 (Dave Mason)
4. "Me My Friend" – 2:00
5. "Variation on a theme of Hey Mr. Policeman" – 0:25
6. "Winter" – 2:26
7. "Old Songs New Songs" – 4:18
8. "Variation on a theme of The Breeze" – 0:39

Side two

1. "Hey Mr. Policeman" – 3:14
2. "See Through Windows" – 3:44
3. "Variation on a theme of Me My Friend" – 0:22
4. "Peace of Mind" – 2:26
5. "Voyage" – 3:31
6. "The Breeze" – 2:52
7. "3 x Time" – 3:51

CONDITION: The Cover: solid. Little bit of shelf wear starting at top area in marble frame area, the "doll house" graphics are clean. No split seams, no bends, no writing.

The vinyl: The grooves are clean "EX" (excellent) to M- top level, looks outstanding and plays flawlessly clean. The white promo labels are both very clean.

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record