Sibling harmonies set in stone

ALBUM REVIEW
Title: Angus & Julia Stone
Performers: Angus & Julia Stone
Verdict: ★★★★ 

By KATRINA TAURO

Having had huge success with their first album Down The Way in 2010, brother-sister duo Angus  and Julia Stone slipped quietly off the radar for a couple of years.

Although both siblings chose to focus on solo careers, an unexpected approach from producer Rick Rubin led to a reunion this year.

The self-titled album Angus & Julia Stone, released early last month, opens with a track called A Heartbreak, something completely different from the harmonic, folky songs the Stones are known for. Singing in unison, the pair announces: “I met your parents. They were lying / About falling in love.”

The next song My Word For It continues the uncharacteristic change in musical direction for the duo, with slightly more troubled lyrics and an angrier sound.

Grizzly Bear has the vibes of a soul song, with Angus pushing his vocals to their limit, whereas Get Home sounds like a song that’s bound to be featured in a teen drama.

The single Heart Beats Slow was the first glimpse of what the new album had to offer Angus and Julia’s avid fans, and highlights the duo’s interweaving harmonies, making for a song that is catchy and radio-friendly.

Julia showcases her fragile voice right in the middle of the album with Death Defying Acts. Pouring out lines such as “I will perform a death-defying miracle / For someone with the chemicals to believe” with much emotion and heart.

Vocally, it is a standout performance from Julia and her theatrical delivery is a highlight of the album.

The Stones are finally writing together following an album full of independently written songs, and it seems to also be working in their favour. At the same time, the siblings retain their individual sounds and identities throughout the album – Angus with his chilled out, clear vocal style contrasted with Julia’s sandpaper-like voice and emotional tone.

Angus’s highlight is the closing track of the album, Crash and Burn. Although quite long at almost seven minutes, the slow-building Neil Young-inspired guitar jam is a groovy and pleasant end to the album.

Lyrically, the album doesn’t have the same impact as their previous album Down the Way, with short form repeated chorus lines more suited to the different style. However, the laid-back lyrics are saved by the emotion in Angus and Julia’s voices paired with their warm, familiar harmonies.

Both excel as solo artists, but the unique way their voices blend together makes them even better as a duo and it’s easy to understand Rubin’s motivation in pursuing them.

Although is a far cry from the previous Angus  and Julia albums, the differences may account for the album’s popularity.

It’s unclear what will become of the pair once touring commitments are over – whether they will resume solo careers or not – but hopefully it’s not the last we hear from the brother-sister duo.

The album may be lengthy (13 tracks, with 16 for the deluxe edition), but is still an enjoyable, yet raw and edgy showing from the Sydney siblings.