The Storys 'Town Beyond The Trees' album

South Wales band The Storys release their much anticipated second album, ‘Town Beyond The Trees’, in March 2008. This follows the acclaimed 2006 eponymous debut and some high profile live performances, including with Elton John and Katie Melua. The Storys mix the country rock harmonies of The Eagles and Crosby Stills Nash & Young with the acoustic side of Led Zeppelin and the West Coast pop of The Byrds and The Burrito Brothers, a sound that has already won many fans.

“Their blending of complex chord structures with simple melodies adorned with effortless, multi layered harmonies is almost the perfect distillation of everything appealing about West Coast Americana”. - The Telegraph

The Storys mix the country rock harmonies of The Eagles and Crosby Stills Nash & Young with the acoustic side of Led Zeppelin and the West Coast pop of The Byrds and The Burrito Brothers, a sound that has already won many fans;

“There is much to revel in within the intricate vocal harmonies of this Swansea sextet’s sound”. - Classic Rock

The Storys are Steve Balsamo – vocals/guitar; Andy Collins – vocal/bass; Dai Smith – vocals/guitar, Rob Thompson – vocals/guitar; Brian Thomas – drums/percussion and Alan Thomas – keys/mandolin/banjo; a big band with melodies and vocal harmonies to match. Having 4 singers and songwriters gives the band versatility, but there is certainly no conflict, if anything the band have progressed as a unit in the song writing, as Dai says: “If one or two bring a song idea in, we all work on it and it becomes a six way cooperative. This second album is more of a group experience.”

“The Storys possess an ability to pen instantly classic songs which ooze class”. - Music Week

The album ‘Town Beyond The Trees’, is issued on the band’s own Hall label, named after the converted cinema where their self produced debut was recorded. This new album was recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World studio complex earlier in 2007, with renowned producer Jon Kelly. Kelly’s impressive CV includes Kate Bush, The Beautiful South, Paul McCartney, Chris Rea and The Damned.

The collapse of the record label Korova/Warners, who picked up that debut, turned out to be a blessing, with the band able to retain control of the recording and producer Jon Kelly agreeing to stay on and finish the album. It was then that the strings were added, giving the album its final polish.

The band have come a long way in a short time, both finding a cohesion in the studio (Dai: “The album only took 5 weeks to record, and it sounds fresher for it.”) and having to pull together when playing stadiums with Elton John.

The Storys, a whole new experience, on CD and on stage!

Do you also would like to share your opinion? If so, please register or login here.

Tags

Details

The Storys - Town Beyond The Trees