Family Worship Center

corpoRAT Records

One time, in a Birmingham, Alabama, record store, I heard a story about Sun Ra not being let into his own gig because he didn’t carry an ID. “What does he need an ID for,” the shop owner said. “He’s from outer space.” That story comes to mind when listening to Family Worship Center’s expansive new LP, “Only Visiting.” 

Sure, FWC is a band from Portland, Oregon that’s as influenced by cult leader Jim Jones as it is by songwriter Jim Ford. At least that’s how it was the last album cycle. But what began as explosive, funky, rock ‘n’ roll — hailed by Troy Nelson of KEXP as “truly the best live band I have seen in years” — has evolved… or expanded, really, with more members, more singers, more complex arrangements, and more influences… into something that defies time and place. 

The psychedelic album jacket’s liner notes claim the songs on “Only Visiting” were recorded from 1974-1975. And with what can simply be described as a softer, 70’s FM Gold sound — lush string arrangements, pop-hooks, and piano-pounding cult leader Andrew Krissberg now laying back and splitting lead vocals with the sultry Marley Headrick — you might even believe it. And you can believe it if you want to. Maybe you should. FWC recently stepped into the role of backing band for 1970’s cult-pop visionary Donnie Emerson, and the fact is, nobody is writing what could’ve been classic pop rock songs this good (laced with driving, intergalactic interludes, of course) and presenting them unironically (strictly in a musical sense, closing your eyes and ignoring all the upside down crosses, cult ephemera, etc.).  

I’m obliged to inform you, for the sake of journalistic integrity, and for the sake of the band who asked me to write this, what Family Worship Center is all about. But I can’t. I’ve been a fan for years, and still don’t know if the music is just a ruse to get you to drink the Kool Aid, or if they have actually elevated to being the saviours of funky soft rock. Part of it is their musical dexterity, part of it is the simple fact that they’re full of shit. 

Case in point: I once saw a secret video of their drummer jamming with High on Fire/Sleep metal god Matt Pike. Definitely not soft rock. And they told another journalist that the first single from “Only Visiting” — the airy, desperate-disco album opener “Malibu by Midnight” — was recovered from a damaged tape and lost religious text found during Krissberg’s time as a traveling salesman. But when I ask him, he says, “I wrote the album concept and all the song titles prior to writing the actual songs.” Ok.  

Lyrically, “Only Visiting” reads like Fante or Waits — noirish tales of dark Los Angeles nights, and the men and women struggling to make the best with the cards they’ve been dealt. “No more working for answers/It’s all the same/No more searching for masters/You can’t win, it’s how you play the game,” Krissberg coos for the bruised, dirty “Jenny,” in the galloping-guitar and synthesizer-driven “Night Ride Pt. 2.” It’s literally a windows-down, night driving song if there ever was one. 
No doubt, there is a lot of heart in these songs. Love for the characters, even. But if history has taught us anything, it’s not to trust a cult leader. They will do anything… say anything… write anything… play anything… to suck you in. Listen at your own risk. -Jack Evan Johnson