Customer Reviews

Stories Often Told

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At least from me. I discovered the Sadies "on another channel" as they say, and they've become my favourite band. All five of their studio albums are very good, with Favorite Colors, the most recent, being the best. But get them all. Rip it to your MP3 player, mix them up and you'll get a great-sounding playlist. SOT is an eclectic work, lots of great instrumentals and some good vocals. "Of Our Land" is the standout, a psychedelic (!) gem--acid country. "Mile Over Mecca" is another goodie. I dislike labels, but "AltCountry-SpagettiWestern-SurfRock" fits this album pretty well.

On Stories Often Told, their fourth full length record, Toronto's Sadies, purveyors of genuine ticket 60's surf and Spaghetti western instrumentals and alternative country rock, strike dark chords musically and thematically. With Blue Rodeo's Greg Keelor firmly at the production helm, The Sadies sing of physical and spiritual imprisonment and of the terrible price that being entrapped can exact. Richly melodic but eerie instrumentals are interspersed throughout this record and they serve to enhance the chilling feelings of frustration and emptiness that come from being "busted". The Sadies incorporate diverse influences such as The Band, ("Within A Stone"), Sergio Leone ("Mile Over Mecca", "A#1") and early Pink Floyd ("Of Our Land"), and serve up a wicked brew of world-weary tunes that bemoan the lack of available options when one is ensnared by greed, murderous deeds and failed familial and romantic relationships. Even animals can only eye their prey from circus train cages ("Tiger Tiger"). As grim as all this 'prison' talk sounds, the "different direction" that The Sadies ultimately take is to strum and sing away their snares. That they have a lot of fun singing and playing while trying to escape is reflected in this deceptively simple yet liberating record. Stories Often Told is steeped in the very best outlaw country and psychedelic folk rock traditions, all delivered with the unique Sadies deadpan vocal stylings. Ain't no hangman gonna put a noose around these dudes, that's for sure, buddy!

If you like the Sadies, this is a fine example of their work. It always reminds me of something I heard on the radio a long time ago, but I can't quite name it. It's more of a feeling than anything else. Great guitars.