Album Review by EDF
Over the years, there have been a number of sibling type outfits that have made it on to the music scene. Usually one family member gets more attention than the other does but this is not the case with Angus and Julia Stone. After spending time pursuing their own musical path as solo artists, this brother and sister outfit from Newport, Australia decided that it was time to come together and see what they could come up with.
The result was their first release, CHOCOLATE & CIGARETTES EP featuring six songs that sound sparse but are well produced. Opening with PRIVATE LAWNS, Julia’s slight vocals is reminiscent of Edie Brickell but not as powerful. MANGO TREE, PAPER AEROPLANE and BABYLON feature Angus on vocals, who is without a doubt the more interesting vocalist of the two. ALL OF ME is one of the weakest songs here that has such a bored approach to it there is nothing that can spark it back to life.
Now, on to their debut mini album HEART FULL OF WINE, which was recorded over two sessions. The majority of the tracks were recorded with Chris Potter and you get a more rounded acoustic sound and a better performance from Julia Stone, especially on WHAT YOU WANTED and SADDER THAN YOU. The title track, HEART FULL OF WINE, is another one of the sibling’s sparse tunes that is notable for being produced by Travis frontman Fran Healy. Just as on their previous EP, some of the songs here tend to just drift away, losing the listener along the way.
