All but one song from People Like Us was penned by John Phillips, who also produced the album. Judging from the out-there lyrics, I'd bet Phillips was also high during this project from start to finish. Probably Cass, Denny and Michelle too! Look at the back cover art, and tell me with a straight face that Michelle looks like she can remember her own name.
The group is together on the cover art, but were never together in the studio - which is problematic, as the M&P's were known for their powerful harmonies they had worked out on previous records. A casual listener wouldn't even recognize this album as something by the M&P's, as their signature sound is pretty much gone.
As for the songs, nothing here compares to their classics everyone knows and loves ("Monday, Monday", "California Dreamin"). The only single released from People Like Us is the ballad "Step Out"; and the non-single "Shooting Star" has became a cult fan favorite over the years. The group also pays tribute to Janis Joplin with "Pearl".
People Like Us is an LP you're either going to love or hate. There's no "in between", as there's no hit material - and the album itself went straight into the cutout bins.
The CD is a cult favorite of mine, because I find it amusing to hear Michelle Phillips carrying a majority of the lead vocals, while Cass is doing what Michelle was doing for Cass all those years (being her reinforcement). Surprisingly, she does it quite well, with her girly doped-up voice. Cass was ill at the time due to a crash diet, and likely couldn't sing with much power even if she wanted to - reportedly having an on-site nurse with her in the studio.
The CD album is currently out-of-print, and is the sole M&P's album which has never been remastered.
****/*****
People Like Us at Amazon.com
Listen to SHOOTING STAR from the PEOPLE LIKE US album:
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