Running in the Family cover

Running in the Family

Level 42 · 1987

13 min · 3 tracks · new wave

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz-funk and pop effectively, showcasing strong arrangements but not reaching status.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a strong lead single, 'Lessons in Love', which features a prominent bass line and layered synths that set the tone for the rest of the record.
  • Several tracks incorporate intricate arrangements with brass and string sections, particularly evident in 'Running in the Family' and 'Fashion Fever'.
  • The tempo varies throughout, with tracks like 'Children Say' and 'It's Over' providing a slower contrast to more upbeat songs like 'Freedom Someday'.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Running in the Family (extended version) 6:10
  • 2 Dream Crazy 3:50
  • 3 Running in the Family (single version) 3:57

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata