This is a 2003 album by yet another reincarnation of
Foghat, recorded a few years after the death of Lonesome Dave Peverett, the band's main claim to fame and sole source of originality. The only original members are bassist
Tony Stevens and drummer Roger Earl, and let's face it,
Foghat was never known for its magnificent, driving rhythm section. The creative core of this album is singer/rhythm guitarist Charlie Huhn, a journeyman best known for a few years with
Ted Nugent, and lead guitarist/producer Bryan Bassett, whose biggest career splash happened in the mid-'70s when he was the second guitarist in
Wild Cherry.
Family Joules sounds pretty much exactly how one would expect from a pedigree like that: refried boogie jams with repetitive guitar riffs and titles like "Sex with the Ex" and "I'm a Rock 'N Roller." It would work if the band sounded like they had the least bit of interest in the proceedings, but at its best,
Family Joules only barely sounds like the work of a band wanting new merch to flog as it works the county fair circuit. ~ Stewart Mason