[1][6] The band is completed with assistance from Walbourne's brother Rob on drums and Teddy Thompson's eldest sister (and Zak Hobbs' mother) Muna Mascolo, who is not a musician, on backing vocals.

[8][12] NPR Music comment in an article that "what you get here is a family album in the truest sense of the world, with everyone involved clamoring to be heard while competing for attention with people they love".

[13] Richard Thompson gives a metaphorical explanation for Family, stating that the album is "like an enormous cardigan with eight holes for heads (that) you knit everyone into", telling Mojo that "it's fun to do".

[20] Uncut write that Family is "a more nuanced guide to the Thompsons’ flawed but just-about functioning dynamic, divorces, remarriages and all", calling the album "dysfunctional but somehow comforting".

[3] On a similar theme, Consequence of Sound write in their review of the album that "there is a creative disquiet about it, as much dysfunction as affection" and claim there is an "inevitable lack of cohesion".

[18] AllMusic write that "if it doesn't always feel like the dream collaboration between these gifted relations, Family clearly demonstrates what makes them special, individually and collectively".