One of the beauties of the CD age has been the gradual reemergence of every longlost minor classic, however obscure. The trend continues with this collation of the first two albums from early 70s New York art-rock combo Stories, probably best-known for an unrepresentative hit cover of Hot Chocolate’s Brother Louie.
Taking shape around the songwriting partnership of keyboardist Michael Brown (responsible for penning Walk Away Renee and Pretty Ballerina during his spell in The Left Banke) and bassist/singer Ian Lloyd, the albums group cut an eponymous debut encompassing quirky chamber-pop (You Told Me), propulsive grooves (Saint James) and more direct pop fare (I’m Coming Home).
It doesn’t really gel, but never mind. It all came together on About Us. While its recording was less than easy (Brown left before the sessions were over) the album contains at least three stone-cold classics in Darling, Please, Please and Love Is In Motion. Lloyd, whose earthy vocals attracted Rod Stewart comparisons, is consistently excellent throughout.
Sadly, the aforementioned Hot Chocolate cover (also here) took the band on a detour that soon resulted in its dissolution. Everything you need to hear is included, along with a single bonus track (Another Love) that you possibly don’t.
