Radical Face – The Family Three: The Roots

Releasedate: 17-04-2012; Label: Nettwerk Music Group
By: Lara Cappelli

Radical Face is one of the musical projects of Ben Cooper, songwriter from Florida. It took four years to ultimate his latest work, which is actually just the incipit to the narration of the story of a family, from the 19th century until the 50’s. “The Roots” is the first chapter of this concept, which will be divided into three releases.

It’s the solitary chant of Ben Cooper and “Names” to start the album, but soon we find ourselves on familiar fields again. “A Pound of Flesh” introduces us back to the rhythms that have characterized Radical Face music. No matter if it’s drums, a piano played in a frantic way or some simple clapping, the rhythm is always there, it keeps you going through the songs. As a matter of fact, “The Family Tree” has one peculiarity that makes it really outstanding: you might actually feel like you’re running through the songs and their beats. As the listening goes by, and the run with it, the music takes you through the concept of the album: the story of a family; the fears, the adventures and the hopes of those who are part of it.
But what happens when you run, when you run very fast? Your heart starts to beat as fast. In these terms we could easily say that an album like this makes your heart beat way faster, as easy as that. The music rides on those rhythms and reminds you the ultimate gift of that same heart beat. As the verse of “A Pound of Flesh” says:
“Oh, my boy, you’re alive.
Your heart’s still beating.
So don’t you mind, don’t you mind.
We all drift sometimes.”

“The Family Tree: The Roots” is definitely an album capable of pleasing your hears, but it’s the heart the place it truly belongs to. Enjoy the run!

Links:
Radical Face Facebook
Radical Face Official