METALPRIEST
Senior Member
OK!! We had a poll that involved the song Brother Louie and I had mentioned that this would be the weakest track off the album imo, and that the rest of About Us sounded nothing like it. A couple members seemed to take intrest so I thought I would jot down a word or two regarding this classic from 1973!!
This was their second CD/Album and was produced by Eddie Kramer. Singer songwriter Ian Lloyd spoke of the band's success with Brother Louie: "All of a sudden we had a big hit with a song that did not represent our music and the direction we were trying to go in. I didn't think it would affect me that much, but it did. Consequently, I decided that I had to remove myself from that, so that I could come back and show what I really can do."
The album was issued without the single and later a new version was issued with the single.
So let's get to some of the other music.
DARLING
Great great song with a haunting melody!! I could name many elements but this is just a beautiful opener and stands alone as a band that is out to be and sound original.
Don't Ever Let Me Down
A very cool bluesy rocker...with a great shuffle beat!
Love Is In Motion
Another nice easy going tune with great words and a wonderful spirit!
Hey France
A really cool rocker with great usage of the mellotron and sitar. Sitting Laughing Smiling Smoking...great lyrics for the sitar section. At this point of the song I always picture a brightly colored room turning to black & dimly lit by candlelight within' that second!!
Please Please
Epic...just epic!! I love everything about this song. When the listener thinks the song is over I love how the melody of the chorus comes in with a single piano and voice. I also like how the song starts with the chorus and gets us right in with the hook.
Changes Has Begun
A real fun straight ahead rocker!! Great chorus and riff!!
Circles/ Believe Me
First half is Circles...a saloon like, cowboy, silent movie, western, instrumental tune married with jazz & swing. 2nd half...Believe Me..a mid tempo cool rocker with elements of early RUSH.
www.youtube.com
Words
A McCartney-ish tune with cellos,kettle drums,harpsichord...this is the albums Eleanor Rigby/For No One/Within Without You (Ian sounds a bit like Paul here)
www.youtube.com
Top Of The City
For those that want a straight out rocker...crack a cold one and have fun to this one...or take a drive into the city with the top down!
www.youtube.com
Down Time Blooze
Here we have some studio play...set up to sound like a bar...a blues band begins to play...and a fight breaks out...lasts about a minute and pretty cool.
What Comes After
My FAVORITE song on the album and I still get choked up when I hear it. The use of synth against piano here is stunning. The lyrics have always left me feeling a bit sad and cold on how I looked at the world or at my own faith in the future.
www.youtube.com
So I hope that shed some insight on a fine fine album with an "ok" single...but I hope many see here...that the "hit" is not always the song to count on...no matter how high it charts.
This was their second CD/Album and was produced by Eddie Kramer. Singer songwriter Ian Lloyd spoke of the band's success with Brother Louie: "All of a sudden we had a big hit with a song that did not represent our music and the direction we were trying to go in. I didn't think it would affect me that much, but it did. Consequently, I decided that I had to remove myself from that, so that I could come back and show what I really can do."
The album was issued without the single and later a new version was issued with the single.
So let's get to some of the other music.
DARLING
Great great song with a haunting melody!! I could name many elements but this is just a beautiful opener and stands alone as a band that is out to be and sound original.
Don't Ever Let Me Down
A very cool bluesy rocker...with a great shuffle beat!
Love Is In Motion
Another nice easy going tune with great words and a wonderful spirit!
Hey France
A really cool rocker with great usage of the mellotron and sitar. Sitting Laughing Smiling Smoking...great lyrics for the sitar section. At this point of the song I always picture a brightly colored room turning to black & dimly lit by candlelight within' that second!!
Please Please
Epic...just epic!! I love everything about this song. When the listener thinks the song is over I love how the melody of the chorus comes in with a single piano and voice. I also like how the song starts with the chorus and gets us right in with the hook.
Changes Has Begun
A real fun straight ahead rocker!! Great chorus and riff!!
Circles/ Believe Me
First half is Circles...a saloon like, cowboy, silent movie, western, instrumental tune married with jazz & swing. 2nd half...Believe Me..a mid tempo cool rocker with elements of early RUSH.
Stories - Circles/Believe Me
Album: About Us (1973)Tracks 7 & 8. Sounds cooler when you hear them together.
www.youtube.com
Words
A McCartney-ish tune with cellos,kettle drums,harpsichord...this is the albums Eleanor Rigby/For No One/Within Without You (Ian sounds a bit like Paul here)
Words
Provided to YouTube by Legacy RecordingsWords · StoriesAbout Usâ 1973 BMG Music Special Products LLCReleased on: 2011-05-10Composer, Lyricist: Michael BrownC...
www.youtube.com
Top Of The City
For those that want a straight out rocker...crack a cold one and have fun to this one...or take a drive into the city with the top down!
Top of the City
Provided to YouTube by Legacy RecordingsTop of the City · StoriesAbout Usâ 1973 BMG Music Special Products LLCReleased on: 2011-05-10Composer, Lyricist: Mich...
www.youtube.com
Down Time Blooze
Here we have some studio play...set up to sound like a bar...a blues band begins to play...and a fight breaks out...lasts about a minute and pretty cool.
What Comes After
My FAVORITE song on the album and I still get choked up when I hear it. The use of synth against piano here is stunning. The lyrics have always left me feeling a bit sad and cold on how I looked at the world or at my own faith in the future.
What Comes After
Provided to YouTube by Legacy RecordingsWhat Comes After · StoriesAbout Usâ 1973 BMG Music Special Products LLCReleased on: 2011-05-10Composer, Lyricist: Mic...
www.youtube.com
So I hope that shed some insight on a fine fine album with an "ok" single...but I hope many see here...that the "hit" is not always the song to count on...no matter how high it charts.
I'll give the album 9/10 for including the single...if not...this would be an easy 10.
].of course . I dont know my facts but i think he joined STORIES after the second L.P ??
.".Brother louie" hitting the number one spot in the early 70s...While over here in The U.K just a little earlier HOT CHOCOLATEs version of "Brother Louie" was a big success
