A Book Like This cover

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

  • →
    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.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

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
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata