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Fiction Family
Fiction Family
Review By Matt Conner
Fiction Family, the side project of Jon Foreman and Sean Watkins, seems bound to disappoint the unfamiliar. Both San Diego-based musicians released solo material in the recent past, yet the masses identify them by their larger bodies of work with Switchfoot and Nickel Creek respectively. Those unprepared will likely listen to Fiction Family with a giant question mark floating overhead. Yet those already well-versed in Watkins’ previous releases sans Chris Thile and sister Sara Watkins will enjoy his contributions here, as will fans of Foreman’s seasonally titled EPs from 2008.
Fiction Family plays like a traded mix-tape from Watkins to Foreman and back again rather than a proper collaboration. Tracks can distinctly be identified as one artist or the other, maintaining strong solo personalities despite the new title intended to distract. “Not Sure” and “Closer Than You Think” play as vintage Watkins, especially the former that mourns the loss of relationship as well as anything written for Nickel Creek. Foreman shines on “Betrayal,” which sounds like a Fall outtake, and “Throw It Away,” a lyrical gem. In the end, Fiction Family is a mixed bag that might have a difficult time finding a home, yet there are solid tracks to be found here.
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