Hot on the trail of the news that The Storys will be supporting Elton John on his UK summer tour, comes the band’s debut album. I don’t think I can remember a greater diversity of music released within the first three months of a year. The Storys story is one of country tinged mainstream rock, with truckloads of melody and goose-bump harmonies. This is a very nice record; a very, very nice record…

I Believe In Love opens with an attention-grabbing acoustic guitar and percussive passage before the gentle lead vocal and harmonies kick in. With its strong melody and arm-swaying choruses, this is a highlight of the album, and a superb opening gambit. The band’s first single, Be By Your Side, is next up and while it scores on several fronts cannot match the powerful opening track. That said, it’s a very pleasant, introverted musical journey that has ‘wedding song’ written all over it. Acoustic guitar and regulation drum beats introduce the next song, Cinnamon with echoes of the Eagles written all over it. The country rock vibe is even stronger, as is the melody, while the vocal harmonies are the icing on a superbly tasting cake. This is a cracker and could so easily be single number three.

High Enough is a darker tune with beautifully judged piano notes adding drama and depth. The vocals are superb, the melody monstrous, and the ambience can only be classified as highly emo. It’s a beauty, and single number friggin’ four! And if you’re not getting the message by now you must be illiterate… The final vocal passage is magical as it soars followed by those simple piano notes fading into the distance. Dai Smith has done a faultless production job on this album in bringing out the best of band’s seductive sounds. In addition, the sound is very American and I can imagine this record flying off the shelves over there with a decent level of airplay.

And as I was thinking that the record could do with a little more sonic diversity, along comes the heavier rock song Save Me. With thrashed guitars and the drums sounding just a bit angrier, the vocal follows suit to complete yet another album highlight. And yes, you guessed it, single number five! Then there’s a Celt touch to the glacially paced and very beautiful The King Of Broken Dreams. In there somewhere is the distant sound of bagpipes, banjo and there’s even an orchestral flourish… Hell, it’s another cracking winner. The final flourish is a special one. Is It True What They Say About Us, is blues flavoured as it ploughs its anthemic way to the album’s all too early end.

This is a rather special debut album of beautifully crafted and performed songs that could just take America by storm. Lyrically, it’s simple and powerful. Musically, it’s accessibility plus with all the ingredients to make it a number one album, and with more singles than you could poke a stick at. Ultimately it’s country pop but accomplished with skill and sincerity. BUY IT!

4.5/5