Stories – About Us

Stories – About Us

Stories’ About Us is a richly melodic slice of early-1970s American rock, blending sophisticated pop songwriting, power-pop hooks and colourful keyboard arrangements with a tougher, more expansive production. Originally released in 1973 on Kama Sutra, the album captures a band with a distinctive musical identity that extends well beyond the hit single for which they would become best known.

At the heart of Stories were singer Ian Lloyd and songwriter and keyboard player Michael Brown, previously a key creative force in The Left Banke, the group behind the baroque-pop classics “Walk Away Renée” and “Pretty Ballerina”. Brown’s gift for intricate melodies and elegant arrangements gives About Us much of its character, while Lloyd’s expressive, slightly raspy vocals bring an earthy edge to the band’s polished pop sensibility.

Produced by Eddie Kramer, the album moves between infectious rockers, piano-led pop, bluesy detours and more reflective, harmony-rich songwriting. The production gives the songs a fuller, more immediate sound, balancing carefully constructed melodies with electric guitars, piano, harpsichord and Mellotron textures. The result sits comfortably alongside the melodic rock and power pop of the early seventies, with echoes of Badfinger, The Raspberries and the more ornate side of contemporary pop.

There is plenty of variety across the original 12-track programme. “Darling” and “Love Is In Motion” showcase the band’s melodic finesse, while “Don’t Ever Let Me Down” brings a looser, boogie-driven energy. The expansive “Hey France” and “Please, Please” demonstrate a more forceful side of the group, contrasting with the brief, playful piano instrumental “Circles” and the bluesy humour of “Down Time Blooze”. “What Comes After” closes the album on a more delicate, reflective note, highlighting Brown’s enduring affection for finely crafted pop melodies.

Although Stories later achieved major commercial success with their version of Hot Chocolate’s “Brother Louie”, that track was not part of the original 12-song album sequence presented here. About Us offers a fuller picture of the group’s musical range: an engaging combination of melodic rock, baroque-pop sensibilities, keyboard-led arrangements and American power pop.

A rewarding choice for fans of early-1970s pop rock, classic power pop and carefully arranged singer-songwriter music, About Us deserves attention as an album in its own right, beyond the familiar hit. A worthwhile addition to collections exploring the melodic side of seventies rock and the work of Michael Brown.

Tracklist

Side A
A1 Darling – 2:38
A2 Don't Ever Let Me Down – 2:16
A3 Love Is In Motion – 3:14
A4 Hey France – 2:50
A5 Please, Please – 4:55

Side B
B1 Changes Have Begun – 3:30
B2 Circles – 1:34
B3 Believe Me – 3:31
B4 Words – 2:21
B5 Top Of The City – 2:58
B6 Down Time Blooze – 1:18
B7 What Comes After – 2:00