Stories Often Told

The Sadies

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 5, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• ASIN: B000077SXB
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #84,960 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Like their musical predecessors the Band, the Sadies are a Canadian combo steeped in Americana. These guys, though, apparently spent as much time listening to Sergio Leone soundtracks as they did to Hank Williams records. The Sadies--brothers Dallas and Travis Good, who both sing and play guitar; drummer Mike Belitsky; and bassist Sean Dean--have a distinctive sound that hasn't varied much across three albums, and their fourth effort doesn't stray from the formula. But why mess with a good thing? Stories Often Told contains their patented mixture of reverb-heavy instrumentals ("Lay Down Your Arms," "A#1"), Stonesish country blues ("Within a Stone"), Byrdsy country-rock ("Such a Little Word"), garage rock ("Tiger Tiger"), and '60s psychedelia ("Of Our Land"). The Good brothers' mom, Margaret, even lends her voice to "A Steep Climb," a spooky little duet that sounds like something from an unfilmed David Lynch movie. --David Hill

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Where has this band been hiding?, June 13, 2005

By	Rick Rorapaugh (Trollhättan Sweden) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Busted! In Prison With The Sadies..., June 24, 2007

By	Peter Walenta "flying parsons" (Long Island, New York USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

5.0 out of 5 stars classic sadies sound, May 13, 2009

By	Barry Crowley (Fayetteville, Arkansas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.