Angus and Julia Stone's Folk Rock
The Australian Sibling Duo, and Their Album, 'A Book Like This'
A look at Angus and Julia Stone, the brother/sister duo from Sydney, Australia, who are bringing their enchanting folk-rock style to a wider audience.
If you have not yet heard the music of Angus and Julia Stone, you soon will. 2008 is set to be the year when the remarkably talented young duo stamp their mark on the music scene.
An artist or group sufficiently brilliant and simultaneously individual within their field comes around infrequently, every few years perhaps. It would be no exaggeration to suggest that Angus and Julia Stone are one such group. With their astonishing debut album, A Book Like This, soon to be released internationally (It has been released in their native Australia since last year), and a UK wide tour set to kick off, the duo are the new great hope for an indie scene smothered with generic, rehashed material.
The Album, 'A Book like This'
A Book Like This resonates through emotive, harmony driven tales of love and experience from the pens of both Stones. Standout tracks, which are sure to gain an instant appeal include 'Just A Boy' and 'Paper Aeroplane' which can be heard in full on their MySpace page. Unfortunately, the magnificent 'Mango Tree' , the mesmeric song that can take much of the credit for the cult following the band has so far gained, does not feature on the album, due to its appearance on the 2006 EP release, Chocolate and Cigarettes.
The album sees the duo take turns on lead vocals as the other takes a back seat, although tracks such as 'The Beast' showcase how both Stones' voices complement one another. While Angus' vocal is mellow and rather mellifluous, Julia's is distinctly smoky, often melancholic on certain tracks, which is reflected in her lyrics.
On 'Wasted' she sings "I don't know just what I'll do, every time you walk into the room...I'm wasted on you". Where Julia confesses herself without restraint, her brother is more understated. Although 'Just A Boy' recalls Angus swooning, "Girl you make me want to feel things I've never felt before. I don't know why, I don't know why". Writing responsibility is shared between the 2 throughout the album.
Angus and Julia Stone - the New Darlings of the Indie Scene
This is one of the most refreshing, original debuts in quite some time. With A Book Like This, Angus and Julia Stone have written the type of album that can galvanise the music industry, much like the Strokes did in 2001 with their debut, Is This It. And with an extensive UK tour about to start, the charismatic, good looking duo could very well be your new favourite band.
A Book Like This is released in the UK 31 March, 2008.
