Fun album. An interesting, light-hearted contrast next to the preceding efforts. Also, a good segue into Chapman and Whitney's next project, Streetwalkers.

"Burlesque" was a great single, and a great way to lead off the album, featuring all of the best attributes of Family. The rest of it is rather hit-or-miss.

Out of the last 4 studio efforts, this is the most adventurous and accessible one of the lot, although this version of the band is more restrained than they were during the psychedelic era. John Wetton's bass provides a solid anchor for the rest of the band to play off of, and the end result resembles a reined-in version of Traffic's meandering early 70's sound. One of only two Family records that charted Stateside.

This half-studio/half-live effort actually deserves closer attention because it contains a few key calling card tracks, such as "Strange Band" and "Lives and Ladies". Plus, the music plays like good outtakes from the sessions of A Song From Me.

This is the most "Family" identifiable album in that the group is at its heaviest impact sonically, in all phases. They really push limits on the bookend tracks ("Drowned In Wine", the title track), both of which emphasize Roger Chapman's extreme vocal growls and howls - which had to be the template for future screamers like Brian Johnson and Udo from Accept. As with the previous effort, the material in between is mixed, but definitely more assured this time around, thanks to the addition of "Poli" Palmer, who would stick with the group through Bandstand. Just a solid, unflinching effort.