A Book Like This
Angus & Julia Stone · 2007
53 min · 13 tracks · folk music
Ethereal harmonies weave through acoustic melodies, creating a warm and intimate soundscape that invites introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Beast Start here — Opening with a haunting melody, this track encapsulates the album's themes of vulnerability and longing through its introspective lyrics and emotive delivery.
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Just a Boy — This song features a captivating duet that highlights the siblings' vocal chemistry while exploring themes of identity and youth, making it a standout track.
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Hollywood — With its catchy rhythm and playful lyrics, this track provides an engaging contrast to the more somber pieces on the album, showcasing their range as artists.
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Stranger — This track's rich instrumentation paired with poignant lyrics about alienation further demonstrates the duo's ability to convey deep emotion through their music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong harmonies and acoustic melodies but lacks a cohesive narrative flow.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo, while the second half introduces more varied pacing and instrumentation.
- Vocals are often layered with harmonies that create an ethereal quality, particularly in tracks like 'Bella' and 'A Book Like This'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- intimate storytelling experiences
- long, immersive listening sessions
- reflective and contemplative moods
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This debut album helped establish their reputation and gained critical acclaim.
- Themes
- Australian folk intimacy· youthful identity exploration· alienation in relationships
- Career context
- Released in 2007, A Book Like This marked Angus & Julia Stone's debut album. At this point, the siblings were emerging artists in the Australian music scene, having previously gained attention with their EPs. The album established their signature blend of folk and indie pop, solidifying their presence in the industry.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Paper Kites· First Aid Kit· Ben Howard
Tracklist
- 1 The Beast Start here 3:49
- 2 Here We Go Again 4:58
- 3 Wasted 3:44
- 4 Just a Boy 3:56
- 5 Bella 4:04
- 6 Hollywood 2:37
- 7 A Book Like This 3:51
- 8 Silver Coin 4:55
- 9 Stranger 4:09
- 10 Soldier 3:38
- 11 Jewels and Gold 4:22
- 12 Another Day 4:16
- 13 Horse and Cart 4:35
What to play next
Down the Way
2010
Continues the warm acoustic sound with richer arrangements and deeper themes.
The Beast
2007
Precedes with a similar intimate style, setting up the transition to A Book Like This.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
States
The Paper Kites
Features ethereal harmonies and acoustic melodies, creating a similarly warm and introspective soundscape.
The Creek Drank the Cradle
Iron & Wine
Shares intimate acoustic textures and reflective lyrics, fostering a personal and cozy atmosphere.
Carrie & Lowell
Sufjan Stevens
Combines soft folk instrumentation with introspective themes, evoking deep emotional resonance.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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