| Chain | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | the Family Stand |
| Border: | yes |
| Released: | 1990 |
| Genre: | R&B, rock[1] |
| Label: | Atlantic |
| Producer: | Jeffrey Smith, Peter Lord |
| Prev Title: | Chapters: A Novel by Evon Geffries and the Stand |
| Prev Year: | 1987 |
| Next Title: | Moon in Scorpio |
| Next Year: | 1991 |
Chain is an album by the American band the Family Stand, released in the United States in 1990.[2] The first single, "Ghetto Heaven", was a hit in dance clubs; "Chain" was also released as a single.[3] [4] The band supported the album with a North American tour.[5] Chain peaked at No. 52 on the UK Albums Chart.[6]
The Family Stand hoped to craft a nonmainstream album that would still be played on Black radio; according to the band, Atlantic Records delayed Chain due to doubts about radio success.[7] [2] Their chief influence was Sly and the Family Stone.[2] Sandra St. Victor sang lead on "In Summer I Fall". "Little White, Little Black Lies" examines racism in Christianity. The rap in "Twisted" implores the Jackson family to avoid additional plastic surgery; the track includes a snippet of a Malcolm X speech.[8] The title track urges listeners to avert the bad habits of their parents.[9] "Ovasaxed" is a saxophone-led instrumental.[10]
The Toronto Star called the album "a virtually seamless blend of vintage soul, hip-hop, modern rhythm 'n' blues and rock, decorated around the edges with jazzy frills."[11] USA Today deemed it "in-depth music that moves the mind as well as the butt."[12] The Los Angeles Times opined that St. Victor "displays a dynamic and impressive range."[13] The Star Tribune concluded that "the quirky 'Twisted' is the gem here... It's a 1990 answer to Prince's socially conscious 'Sign o' the Times'."[14] The Chicago Tribune considered Chain to be "one of the great lost albums of 1990."[15]
AllMusic determined that "the title track ... is melodic in a muddy way, the muffled sound gives the shuffling rhythm an eerie effect."