Brooklyn's Family, besides being one of the harder bands to search for on Google, are hands-down one of the most underrated bands in the entire prog metal scene. Comprised of core members Stephen Gordon, Kurt Applegate, Joshua Lozano and Jody Smith, they flew very low onto the radar with 2012's Portrait, an album that took a silky smooth stoner/sludge metal base and coated it with some rich prog and classic rock, making for a very unique and engaging listen. Portrait was one of this writer's favorite albums from that year, and anybody who dug that album has, I'm sure, been champing at the bit for Family's long awaited sophomore effort, Future History.
I'm happy to say it was every bit worth the wait…for the most part, at least. Future History doesn't leave quite as a strong of a first impression as its predecessor, but multiple listens through reveal a band who is trying to break the mold. "The Dark Inside" kicks the album off with a country-fried lead that gives way into a groovy little lick before a barrage of modern riffs break through. This track is a prime example of the way Family is able to blend elements both new and old into something quite original and compelling. Throughout the entirety of Future History, textured stoner riffs weave in and out of a tight rhythm section, with a few instrumental interludes thrown in for good measure. In addition to harsh screams, the band also more prominently utilizes cleans this time around, which admittedly, are rather dull and don't add much to the songs.
Despite this, the band more than makes up for it with superb musicianship and stellar songwriting. Future History is chock-full of creativity and catchiness; from the funky, New Orleans-influenced grooves of "Funtime for Bigboy" to the hardcore gang vocals of "Night Vision" (featuring killer guest spots from David Castillo of White Widows Pact/Primitive Weapons, Mike Keller of Meek is Murder and Jesse James Madre of Tiger Flowers), Family pulls from a vast pool of musical influences and makes something entirely their own. Future History is not a perfect album, but its strengths outweigh its flaws, and ultimately, exemplifies a band that is legitimately trying to do something different in the scene.
Score: 8/10
