The Storys are not so much an anachronism on the contemporary scene as a bold musical vision firmly anchored in the 70’s west coast scene that spawned The Eagles, CSNY and Jackson Brown. And it is the latter artist who best encapsulates the bands lead vocalist Stave Balsamo style, both in terms of his vocal range, song content and delivery. But what makes the Storys that bit more interesting is the fact that all four harmony singers are also excellent songwriters. And while Balsamo undoubtedly holds centre stage and does just about all the talking, the other three front line singers comprising bass player Andy Collins and guitarists Dai Smith and Rob Thomas all equally chip in with subtle variations on core pop-rock harmonies which with a bit of luck will steer the band on to national radio.
Interesting then to see how a band with cut glass harmonies, meaningful songs and subtle hooks could survive the machinations of the oblong shaped 100 Club.
In fact, last January I caught Nashville’s Rascal Flatts here in a similar album showcase mode. And while the two bands share the same potential audience The Storys modus operandi varies significantly. While Flatts aimed to whip the crowd into a frenzy and keep them there with on stage shapes, sing-along call and response parts and silly dance steps, The Storys come across as that bit more mature. They eschew any suggestion of boy band cheesiness and with their collective harmonies could give any chart a band a run for their money.
No, ultimately The Storys perform their own songs with strong meaningful and at times personal narratives that help build up and subtle head of steam. In fact the turning point at this gig proved to be the slow burner ‘Alone’. It’s the kind of song that quietly grows in strength on the back of Dai’s delicate lead vocal, some beautifully combined harmonies as well as an effective bridge before hitting base with the closing refrain ‘Is anyone out there, just give me an answer’. The vocal subtleties of ‘Alone’ could easily have got lost in the venue’s rafters but on the contrary gloriously filled out the spaces in the room with its ‘true love’ invocation. Dai’s smile at the conclusion said it all and the warm reception at the conclusion of the song broke the tension of a spell binding rock ballad.
And songs are what The Storys are really all about, from the long time favourite ‘Cinnamon’ from the debut album to the magnificent country rocker ‘Evangelina’ and the polished ‘Long Hard Road’ . The latter two are the kind of songs The Eagles would do well to emulate as The Storys are a band whose retro influences merely inspire their creative source rather than hold them back.
On the very poignant title track of the new CD ‘The Town
Beyond The Trees’ Balsamo offered some beautiful high register phrasing,
bringing the buoyant crowd to a whisper with a top drawer emotive ballad. And
just to show their diversity guitarist Rob Thomas conjured up some west coast
psychedelia on an earthy sounding number (possibly ‘Trouble Deep’)
while Steve brought a pop sensibility to bear on the radio friendly ‘Heaven
Hold Me Now’.
This was my third Storys gig in two weeks in three widely differing venues.
And each time the band has risen to the occasion winning over the crowd with
the old fashioned virtues of great songs, emotive singing and passionate playing,
three core elements that will surely deliver them a deserved wider audience.
Pete Feenstra