For a swan song, this is pretty a good one. Generally, at this point in a band's career, when personnel changes become more frequent, live shows become more unpredictable, and substance abuse seems to become more central to the band than singing and songwriting, you would think that
Family (a band that partied as hard as any) would simply cough up a final piece of dreck and say so long. But
It's Only a Movie is a relaxed, funny, and funky record, almost sunny in disposition. The songs take a while to worm their way in, but once they do, tracks like "No Money Down" and "Boom Bang," with their swagger and sway, end up sounding as good as any of the band's previous work. Totally ignored upon release,
It's Only a Movie was one of those records that seemed to go directly into the cut-out bins -- a fitting end to
Family's career in America. [This version of the album includes bonus material.] ~ John Dougan