For those of you who have seen my simpering, slavishly devotional Akron/Family blurbs and press releases in the past, wherein I make ridiculous claims about them (which I happen to believe!), it should come as no surprise when I reiterate they are one of the best bands on the planet. I don't recall seeing such fantastic live shows ever, except maybe Pere Ubu at the Whiskey in LA circa 1978 or Ummagumma-era Pink Floyd circa 1968/9. Take those unrelated reference points and mix in The Beatles, Chicago Art Ensemble, CCR, The Grateful Dead, The Hollies, The Butthole Surfers, Led Zeppelin, and you might get a notion-- probably not. Anyway, this record comes the closest to bridging the gap between the chaos, rock action, tribal bongo-banging and sentimental sing-alongs of their live shows and the necessarily more cerebral, or at least worked-over and layered process of recording in the studio. So, there are beautiful songs and harmonies on this album, and also wild and weird jams, all in the service of their chosen Deity, or Nothingness, or LOVE, or whatever it is they're on about.
01. Love, Love, Love (Everyone)
02. Ed Is A Portal
03. Don'T Be Afraid, You'Re Already Dead
04. I'Ve Got Some Friends
05. Lake Song/New Ceremonial Music For Moms
06. There'S So Many Colors
07. Crickets
08. Phenomena
09. Pony'S Og
10. Of All The Things
11. Love, Love, Love (Reprise)
