I have one other Stories album (their third) and I found it a little patchy. Having said that I never got rid of it so I might put it on again as it has been over fifteen years since I listened to it last. 15 years!
This album, their first, I bought on the strength of Michael Brown (who isn't on the third album). Brown was the mastermind behind the magnificent Left Banke and on leaving them he formed a one off album band, Montage, before forming Stories with Ian Lloyd.
Read What Frank is Listening #94 for more on Michael Brown.
Ian Lloyd from wikipedia: "Ian Lloyd (b. Lloyd Buonconsiglio, 1947, Seattle) is an American rock singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the band Stories, whose single "Brother Louie" was No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 chart in 1973. … In 1971 Michael Brown and Ian Lloyd formed Stories. They released two albums ("About Us" and "Stories" with a hand full of Billboard-Top-40 charting songs. Brown left before the band recorded their 3rd and final album, which was released under the name, "Ian Lloyd and Stories"… After Stories he pursued a solo career, releasing 6 albums to date. Additionally, Lloyd has a long discography of vocal work including background work with artists such as Foreigner, Billy Joel, and Yes. Lloyd continues to write, record and perform".
This album really takes off where Left Banke left off … ha. Brown defines the sound on this album and his song writing and pop sensibility is amazing. Musically I suppose this is still the baroque pop of the Left Banke, with a substantial nod to power pop and rock. Paul McCartney influences are clearly visible but with more classical music references than McCartney used at the time (1972). Also, unlike The Beatles (or George Martin) who used classical references by using a full orchestra to punctuate a song and give it pomp here the music is more gentle and quiet as if a string quartet were playing in the room next door … err with a rock band. There are pianos, violins and harpsichords everywhere here. That combined with Lloyds high singing (though there is a little rasp in there reminiscent of Rod Stewart), choruses and backing vocals, make for a "pure pop rock" experience, thought with an "arty" bent rather than a mainstream one.
Stories are often compared to The Raspberries and Badfinger but they also sound suprisingly like Nils Lofgren's Grin but without the classical bits. Grin put out their first album in 1971. Whether Stories (who were from New York City) knew of Grin who were not successful on the charts but played extensively in the Washington DC area (and probably New York) I do not know, but the similarities are clear.
I love drawing comparisons people can relate to so here think of a choirboy Rod Stewart singing art pop-rock on a Paul McCartney album.
There is only one fault and that is after a couple of listens, while writing this, I have a feeling that the album may not be memorable which is a pity as every song is well above average. Time will tell but I think this falls just short of unrecognised greatness.
Tracks (best in italics)
- Hello People – a mid tempo power pop song with gospel choir like backing vocals.
- I'm Coming Home – a good mid tempo pop – which again shifts gears – but has some nice guitar crunching.
- Winter Scenes – McCartney channelled again. The pace changes mid-song a number of times briefly and moves into a piano driven less bombastic "Live and Let Die".
- Step Back – This one is very "Grin" like … the emphasis is less on pop and more on rock.
- You Told Me – the Beatles circa "Eleanor Rigby" … the violins (played by I assume Lloyd's dad Peter Buonconsiglio and Harry Lookofsky) are very ominous sounding.
- Saint James – a wordy mid-tempo powerpop with some Jimmy Webb overtones.
- Kathleen – a beautiful (I mean that in a manly way) love ballad.
- Take Cover – early 70s powerpop.
- Nice to Have You Here – a great ballad of domestic bliss. The title says it all.
- High and Low – another nice powerpop ballad. Yes, you can have a "powerpop" ballad.
And …
I love "Grin" so this album is always going to appeal and given Brown's pedigree this is a winner. I'm a keeping.
Chart Action
The album went to #182 on the US charts
The single "I'm Coming Home" peaked at #42.
No action in England.
Sounds
Hello People
I'm Coming Home
Winter Scenes
and attached
You Told Me
attached
attached
Kathleen
Other:
their big hit and their least typical song
Review
Bio
(originally posted: 18/07/2010)
