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It's Only a Movie

It's Only a Movie is the seventh and final studio album by the British progressive rock band Family, released in September 1973 on the Raft label in the UK (and United Artists in the US) as a farewell recording following significant lineup changes. The album marks the end of Family's original studio output, featuring a lineup that included vocalist Roger Chapman, guitarist John "Charlie" Whitney, new bassist Jim Cregan, keyboardist Tony Ashton, and drummer Rob Townsend, with additional contributions from harmonica player Peter Hope-Evans and arranger Del Newman for strings and horns. Recorded during the summer of 1973 at locations including Knowle Hall in Somerset (using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio), Olympic Studios, and Air Studios in London, it was engineered by George Chkiantz, John Middleton, and Rod Thear. Spanning approximately 39 minutes across nine tracks, the album shifts toward a softer, more eclectic sound incorporating R&B, , Dixieland jazz, and orchestral elements, diverging from the band's earlier intensity—highlighted by songs like the title track opener (5:07), the soulful "Leroy" (5:40) with harmonica, the instrumental "Buffet Tea for Two" (5:20) featuring jazzy , and the brass-infused closer "Check Out" (4:30). Upon release, It's Only a Movie peaked at number 30 on the but received mixed to negative critical reception, often criticized for its lack of energy and unadventurous compositions compared to Family's prior works, earning an average rating of 2.35 out of 5 on ProgArchives—lower than the 3.39 to 3.97 range for their first six albums—though some tracks like "Buffet Tea for Two" were praised for flair. In , Esoteric Recordings (Cherry Red) issued an expanded remastered edition as a two-CD set, enhancing audio quality and adding bonus material such as B-sides like "Drink to You," early versions, and 1973 session recordings that showcase the new members' influence with fresh arrangements.

Background

Band context

Family was formed in 1967 in Leicester, England, evolving from the local R&B group Farinas, which had been active since 1962, and quickly established itself as a outfit blending R&B, , and influences. The original lineup consisted of on lead vocals, John "Charlie" Whitney on guitar, on bass and violin, on drums, and Jim King on and , with the name "" reflecting their collaborative, familial approach to music-making. The band underwent significant lineup changes over the years, reflecting ongoing instability: Grech left in 1969 to join Blind Faith and was replaced by on bass; King departed in 1970 amid personal struggles, succeeded by Poli Palmer on keyboards; Weider exited in 1971, with joining on bass only to leave in 1972 for , replaced by ; finally, Palmer departed at the end of 1972, with stepping in on keyboards. By 1973, the core remaining members were Chapman, , Townsend, Cregan, and Ashton, though the frequent shifts contributed to mounting internal tensions and creative fatigue within the group. Family built a solid reputation in the UK progressive rock scene through a string of successful albums, including Music in a Doll's House (1968, peaking at No. 35 ), Family Entertainment (1969, No. 6), A Song for Me (1970, No. 4), Anyway (1970, No. 7), (1971, No. 10), and (1972, No. 15), bolstered by high-profile performances at events like the . However, these achievements masked growing exhaustion, exacerbated by a challenging 1972 US tour supporting Fearless—which included opening for Elton John and received mixed responses due to the band's eccentric style—prompting the decision to record a farewell album amid plans to disband by late 1973.

Album conception

In early 1973, ahead of a planned autumn farewell tour, Family announced that It's Only a Movie would serve as their final studio album, marking the end of the band amid growing creative fatigue and internal tensions. Vocalist Roger Chapman later reflected on this period, stating that "Family definitely ran out of steam, and that’s why it folded," attributing the dissolution to burnout exacerbated by excessive alcohol consumption and a shift toward more conventional song structures that diminished the band's earlier innovation. This decision built on ongoing lineup instability, with multiple member changes in prior years contributing to the sense of exhaustion. The album's title drew from the opening track, evoking a sense of detachment and finality in the , aligning with the band's intent to bow out on a lighter note. During pre-production discussions, the core lineup—Chapman, guitarist John "Charlie" Whitney, and drummer —sought a more accessible, good-time sound to contrast their previous experimental progressive work, influenced by the rising scene and acts like that emphasized straightforward energy over complexity. Tracks such as "Boom Bang" were developed to explore this cinematic, upbeat tone, testing the band's ability to deliver fun, radio-friendly material amid their farewell efforts.

Recording and production

Studio sessions

The recording of It's Only a Movie took place during the summer of 1973 across multiple locations in the UK, including and Air Studios in , renowned for their state-of-the-art facilities that supported the experimental production needs of bands. Additionally, sessions were held at Knowle Hall in , where the band utilized Mobile recording unit to capture a more organic, location-based sound. The sessions aligned with the band's decision to make this their farewell album, fostering a purposeful atmosphere amid the knowledge that it would be their last collaborative effort. Employing 16-track recording technology standard for the era, the self-produced effort, overseen by the band, involved layering of instruments through overdubs, particularly for brass and string sections integrated into several tracks to enhance the album's eclectic arrangements. The production benefited from the technical capabilities of the venues, enabling intricate builds without the constraints of earlier mono or 8-track limitations, and was engineered by George Chkiantz, John Middleton, and Rod Thear, with string and horn arrangements by Del Newman. While the sessions proceeded smoothly overall, the band encountered occasional technical issues with mobile equipment at Knowle Hall and fluctuating group morale due to impending , which occasionally prompted spontaneous improvisations in the arrangements to maintain momentum. These elements contributed to the album's distinctive, unpolished energy.

Key personnel contributions

served as lead vocalist for Family on It's Only a Movie, delivering raw and emotive performances that drew from his blues-shouting style, particularly on the title track where his vocals conveyed a gritty intensity and on "Boom Bang" where he unleashed a raucous delivery reminiscent of classic influences. His contributions emphasized emotional depth, blending high-energy shouts with more nuanced phrasing to suit the album's varied moods. Jim Cregan provided bass lines and occasional backing vocals as the new bassist, anchoring the album's structures with melodic and solid foundations that supported the band's rhythmic drive, notably on "Boom Bang" where his playing contributed to the track's tight, propulsive feel. Tony Ashton handled keyboards and additional vocals, incorporating textures through piano and organ while shifting toward more pop-oriented elements that lightened the album's overall sound compared to Family's earlier work. Charlie Whitney delivered guitar work, including slide techniques that added distinctive texture, and interplay on tracks like the title song and "Buffet Tea for Two," enhancing the album's eclectic rock edges. The album also featured contributions from harmonica player Peter Hope-Evans on "Leroy."

Composition and style

Musical elements

The album It's Only a Movie represents a blend of with pop, , and R&B influences, incorporating elements of , , and symphonic arrangements to create a more accessible sound than Family's earlier works. This stylistic evolution is evident in tracks that draw on Beatles-inspired harmonies and shuffling rhythms reminiscent of "," alongside bluesy rockers and Latin-tinged grooves. Compared to the band's prior albums featuring extended compositions, the songs here average around 4 minutes in length, with most clocking in between 3 and 5 minutes to enhance radio-friendliness while retaining prog complexity. Dynamic shifts are a hallmark of the album's structure, often transitioning from acoustic folk-like intros with piano and harmonica to electric guitar-driven climaxes and sections. For instance, "Check Out" builds with brass and horn integrations that add punch to these transitions, amplifying the power alongside multi-part vocal harmonies evoking Three Dog Night's style. Cinematic motifs permeate the soundscape, aligning with the album's title through elements like western movie sound effects in the title track and orchestral swells in "Buffet Tea for Two" that mimic film scoring. Production techniques emphasize multi-tracking to achieve a fuller, more polished prog aesthetic, reducing the raw edge of previous releases; the remastered edition highlights this layered approach in studio recordings from Air Studios and Olympic Studios.

Thematic content

The album It's Only a Movie features recurrent motifs of closure and reflection, underscoring its role as Family's farewell statement. The title track, co-written by vocalist Roger Chapman and guitarist John Whitney, employs a cinematic narrative to portray fame and life's dramas as illusory constructs, with lyrics evoking a staged Western showdown that fades like a film scene: "Cards on the table at midnight / Watch for the hand with the blade / We're shooting an old cowboy movie / Pan out No. 2, camera fade." This metaphor served as Chapman's way to process the band's impending dissolution, framing their career's highs and tensions as mere performance. Social commentary on emerges through introspective lenses on personal and societal shifts. While earlier works like "The Weaver's Answer" directly addressed , It's Only a Movie shifts toward broader personal reckoning, aligning with the band's evolving introspection during their final phase. Humorous and light-hearted elements provide contrast to the darker undertones of contemporaries, infusing the album with satirical takes on relationships and . In "Boom Bangin'," written by Chapman and , feverish mock impulsive desires influenced by sensationalism—"Sick and tired, all hay-wired / Fever, that's for sure / ... Boom bang, shotgun man / ... 'Cause I got those TV nudes / Running through my head"—delivering a playful, exaggerated romp on and distraction. Similarly, "Boots 'n' " incorporates comedic touches like a drunken in the mix, emphasizing a boozy, irreverent unity. These moments highlight the album's bittersweet tone, blending levity with farewell's gravity. Collaborative songwriting reinforces themes of unity amid division, with bassist Jim Cregan contributing to the brass-infused "Check Out" alongside Chapman and Whitney, fostering a collective voice in the band's swan song. This shared authorship symbolizes cohesion during fragmentation, as members processed their end through joint creativity. The result ties lyrical narratives to the album's overarching message of acceptance, portraying closure not as defeat but as a scripted exit from the rock spectacle.

Release and commercial performance

Initial release

It's Only a Movie was released in September 1973 on the band's own Raft Records label in the UK (catalog number RA 58501) and in the US (catalog number UA-LA181-F), with distribution handled by . The album appeared as a LP, providing space for additional artwork and that complemented its thematic focus on and . Ahead of the full album launch, issued the "Boom Bang" backed with "Stop This Car" in April 1973 on Raft Records (catalog number RA 18501), serving as an early promotional vehicle for the record's eclectic sound. A second , "Sweet Desiree" backed with "Drink to You", followed in September 1973 on Raft Records. Given the band's impending disbandment, promotion centered on a brief farewell tour commencing in September 1973, featuring select performances to mark the album's arrival. This effort was constrained by the group's dissolution plans, though it included a concluding session recorded in May 1973 for John Peel's , showcasing tracks from the new material. The tour wrapped with the band's final show on October 13, 1973, at Leicester Polytechnic.

Chart performance

Upon its release in September 1973, It's Only a Movie achieved moderate commercial success in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 30 on the Official UK Albums Chart and spending a total of three weeks in the listing. This performance indicated sustained interest from the band's core progressive rock audience amid a shifting market landscape, though it fell short of the higher placements attained by Family's earlier efforts like Fearless (number 14) and Bandstand (number 15). The album did not enter the US , underscoring Family's challenges in gaining significant traction in the American market despite distribution through . Similarly, the "Boom Bang" failed to register on the , marking it as a non-charting promotional release with limited radio play. No other tracks from the album were issued as singles that achieved chart placement.

Critical reception and legacy

Contemporary reviews

Upon its release in September 1973, It's Only a Movie received mixed reviews in the UK music press, often framing it as a farewell from Family after eight years and six albums.

Retrospective assessments

In recent years, the album has gained renewed appreciation through deluxe reissues that expand its archival footprint. The 2024 Esoteric Recordings remastered edition, a two-disc set newly mastered from the original tapes, incorporates 19 bonus tracks comprising non-album singles, session outtakes, and alternate mixes, such as an early version of "Boom Bang." This release has enhanced perceptions of the album's completeness, offering deeper insight into the band's creative process during their final studio effort and underscoring its value for dedicated listeners. Among progressive rock enthusiasts, It's Only a Movie is frequently regarded as a solid yet transitional work in Family's discography, bridging their earlier experimental phase with more accessible rock elements. Prog Archives assigns it an average rating of 2.35 out of 5 based on 68 user reviews, positioning it below classics like Fearless (1971) while praising its eclectic blend of prog complexity and melodic hooks. The album holds cult status among collectors, particularly for its thematic nod to cinematic storytelling, which aligns with Family's flair for dramatic, film-like compositions. Vinyl reissues in the 2020s, including expanded editions from Cherry Red Records, have spotlighted this niche within prog, though it remains overshadowed by the band's peak-era releases. Analyses in rock histories describe it as an underrated swan song, with the departure of key members like John Wetton to King Crimson (prior to recording) retrospectively amplifying Family's broader legacy in progressive circles.

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