The Monday Chiller #22 - Angus and Julia Stone...

'A book like this is an absolute winner. Hands down a five star master-piece.' Eleven Magazine

Eclectic Hermit favourites Angus and Julia Stone have truly delivered on the promise of their early EPs and produced a beguiling album well worthy of commercial success. Why is it that mainstream music outlets champion mediocre artists? Sod playing it safe, put some money into supporting people with real talent.

Angus and Julia Stone - Horse and Cart

Seriously, this album is in the year's top 10.

Stonespace
Buy A Book Like This

Angus & Julia Stone...

And he told me, i'd taste the pain
But i taste it everyday

I thought it best to do a bit of research for this post instead of being lazy like i normally am and nicking tunes from everyone elses blogs then impudently posting them as my own findings.

First time i really listened to this band was when their song Sadder Than You got picked randomly from a playlist of new music on my computer. I was trying to concentrate on writing an essay at the time, and it was half-way through the song when i realised i was staring at the screen and drifting away into day-dream mode. I listened through to the end then stuck the whole track on repeat for twenty minutes. The first thing that struck me was how effortless it sounded, the combination of guitar and voice sitting perfectly with the sentiment of the song. Since then it seems that effortlessness could be the buzzword for Angus & Julia Stone. I don't want to go and and gush at how amazing they are but i do think they're pretty damn good and if the following songs don't convince you then i can do no more. Angus's voice is described as like a young Paul Simon and Julia a diluted Bjork, whereas big Johnny Sharp has this to say: “Most impressive though are the songs - simple but blindingly effective acoustic compositions, warm boy-girl harmonies and delicate, less-is-more arrangements." Check it.

From the Chocolate & Cigarettes EP (2006)

Paper Aeroplane

From the Heart Full Of Wine EP (2007)

What You Wanted
I'm Yours
Sadder Than You previously posted here

The band are playing in Glasgow tonight then on the 11th in Norwich and 17th in Brighton. For more details go to their

myspace

or you can buy their two EPs combined into one CD from

amazon

Lastly, by the power of Youtube...

The host on this Australian show needs to seriously chill out but they manage to get through a slightly strained interview before performing a cool version of Mango Tree right under the Sydney harbour bridge.



Trippy video for I'm Yours, filmed on the recent UK tour in the van and various hotel rooms.

From MSTRKRFT to folk in one fell swoop. Boom!

Songs that make you go 'Hmm'...

The Decemberists - Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect

and here i dreamt i was a soldier
and i marched the streets of Birkenau
and i recall in spring
the perfume that the air would bring
to the indolent town
where the barkers call the moon down
the carnival was ringing loudly now
and just to lay with you
there's nothing that i wouldn't do
save lay my rifle down

Maybe I haven't been looking in the right places, but there's not enough poetry in popular music these days. Well, that's not true but i'm too lazy to list any artists apart from Ray Lamontagne who write really beautiful songs. The Decemberists aren't a new band but they do make amazing songs with rich melodies and intelligent lyrics that you can either whistle along to or get involved with. Fresh.

Carl Orff - O Fortuna

Not much needs to be said about the opening to Carmina Burana, but I have recently been using it to get me out of bed in the morning. I can't see anything working much better, save an electric shock to the face. Rousing, exciting, and menacing in equal measure.

Angus & Julia Stone - Sadder Than You

Oh! The triple. If there's anything diometrically opposed to O Fortuna then it must be this track by Australian brother and sister duo Angus & Julia Stone. Simplicity is your friend here. The guitar part never rises above a slow finger pick that sets the tone like a funeral march, and the subdued vocals carry the sentiment of the song perfectly. If anything, this song makes you want to go to bed and cry. Haha.

LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great

I'm kind of late getting on the LCD bandwagon, but this track not only got me on board, it got me driving the damn thing. My flatmate had the first album but back then I was into different music and didn't pay much attention, even when he said 'Listen to this album it's fucking amazing.' More fool me. Well now i'm posting this track so if you haven't heard or haven't got the new album yet, as your attorney I advise you to do so. Someone Great is one of the standout tracks and it definitely makes me go 'Uhh?' then 'Mmm'.

That's it for now. Warning: next post may contain tunes that will bash your face in.