Released 20 years ago
Chocolates and Cigarettes
Angus & Julia Stone · 2006
25 min · 6 tracks · folk music
A blend of gentle folk melodies with evocative lyrics that capture the bittersweet essence of love and longing.
Top tracks — play these first
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Private Lawns Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Mango Tree — This track encapsulates the duo's signature sound with its lilting melody and vivid imagery, perfectly illustrating themes of nostalgia and yearning.
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Paper Aeroplane — A standout for its delicate arrangement and emotional depth, this song captures the essence of childhood memories intertwined with adult reflections.
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All of Me — This track showcases the duo's vocal harmonies beautifully while delving into intimate expressions of vulnerability and love, making it a highlight of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP showcases solid songwriting and harmonious vocals, creating an engaging yet familiar folk sound.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent use of soft acoustic guitar and dual harmonies, establishing a gentle, intimate atmosphere.
- Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with the chorus often featuring more layered vocals to enhance emotional impact.
- The final track, 'Chocolates and Cigarettes', introduces a slightly more complex arrangement with strings, contrasting with the simpler instrumentation of earlier songs.
- 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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8/10
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
- nostalgic melodies for quiet moments
- steady pacing for reflective listening
- soft harmonies for intimacy
- short sessions of gentle warmth
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This debut album helped the duo gain significant attention in the indie scene.
- Themes
- nostalgic longing· childhood memories
- Career context
- Chocolates and Cigarettes is Angus & Julia Stone's debut studio album, released in 2006 after their initial EPs. At this point, they were emerging artists in the Australian indie music scene, building a reputation for their harmonious vocal interplay and heartfelt songwriting. This album laid the groundwork for their subsequent rise to prominence in both Australia and internationally.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Paper Kites· First Aid Kit· Ben Howard
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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All of Me
The bridge shifts from reflection to a direct plea for acceptance, contrasting earlier verses that recount personal struggles.
This shift not only heightens emotional intensity but also reveals layers of complexity in vulnerability, marking a pivotal moment in the song.
Tracklist
- 1 Private Lawns Start here 3:08
- 2 Mango Tree 3:43
- 3 All of Me 5:23
- 4 Paper Aeroplane 3:45
- 5 Babylon 5:05
- 6 Chocolates and Cigarettes 4:02
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
States
The Paper Kites
Shares a gentle folk sound with introspective lyrics on love and nostalgia.
The Lion's Roar
First Aid Kit
Features rich harmonies and poignant storytelling that evoke similar bittersweet emotions.
Carrie & Lowell
Sufjan Stevens
Explores themes of memory and longing with delicate melodies and heartfelt, personal lyrics.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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