Fiction Family - Fiction Family (Review)
The album cover for Fiction Family's self-titled album.
Jon Foreman has been hard at work the past few years, knocking out several solo projects, as well as prepping new material for the upcoming Switchfoot release. He’s also been writing and recording an album with Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek, and this Fiction Family LP is the result. It’s one of my highly-anticipated albums of this year, and it released today through ATO Records.
The Foreman/Watkins duo seems a bit unlikely, but it’s more than just a mash-up of two accomplished singer/songwriters. It’s an entity of its own, inventive and authentic, set apart from the two artists’ past works, sonically and artistically.
From left to right; Jon Foreman and Sean Watkins of Fiction Family.
With stunningly impressive standout tracks like “Out of Order,” “Betrayal,” “Elements Combined,” and “War in My Blood,” the duo weave spell-binding arrangements with intricate and powerful melodies, while tying together the set with masterful production. The other tracks are just as satisfying, including the acoustic-driven “Not Sure,” the elegiac “Throw It Away,” the melancholy ”Mostly Prove Me Wrong”, and the folky “Closer Than You Think.”
With the deluxe edition of the release, a b-sides EP is included. The songs here are covers and Sean Watkins or Jon Foreman solo tracks. The covers are actually quite exceptional, especially the cover of The Cure’s “Friday I’m In Love.” For a simple set of b-sides, they are quite applicable and fitting to the record.
Jon Foreman and Sean Watkins performing live.
You’ll know before the end of your very first listen that Fiction Family is a brilliant and fulfilling piece of acoustic art that catches you off guard, thanks to its humble appearance and serendipitous intentions. It’s a combination of writers like this that put The Beatles and The Eagles on the map. Fiction Family is not only on the map, but is a gratifying point of interest for any music lover. If I could give it 5 and 1/2 waves, I would, because it’s really that close to perfection. A must-have, period.
Fiction Family's self-titled debut gets a score of 5/6 waves.
(Important Note: As of today, January 20th, Fiction Family is still offering a free download of their first single and opening track from their new album, “When She’s Near,” on their website. If you don’t already have it, you should download it here. I’ve already reviewed the track, in detail, on my Fresh Waves article, which you can read here.)
