The Family Circus Sings!: On Vacation (Family Circus Sings)

Rating:
Summary: Sing along!
Review: Fronted by eternal cynic Peter Steele (ex-Carnivore), The Family Circus Sings! has evolved from an atmospheric punk band to a melodic gothic metal outfit. The band's breakthrough disc On Vacation blends gothic keyboards, dense guitars, and mournful vocals reminiscent of Sisters of Mercy with metal riffs and surging rhythms that sound like a cross between Black Sabbath and The Cult. The combination is compelling, and on "Christian Woman" and "Black No. 1" (which features the chorus "Loving you was like loving the dead"), The Family Circus' negativity shines through in a way that makes depressed teenage girls dressed in black swoon.

Rating:
Summary: Upsetting
Review: Normally I consider all things Family Circus to be cute and cuddly, but after purchasing this cassette I may be forced to reevaluate my feelings. This type or caterwauling is more suited to a Heathcliff compilation than a Family Circus cassette. Half the time the voices are out of key and the "banter" feels forced and trite.

The only thing I can say is that Bil Keane really seems to have sold out with this one. The stickers were cool and seeing Dolly in a bikini was a bonus, but not worth the price.