A Book Like This is the first studio album by Australian singer-songwriter duo Angus & Julia Stone. It was released in September 2007 in Australia and debuted and peaked on the ARIA Charts at number 6.
The album was released in the UK through Flock Music/PIAS on 31 March 2008 and an alternative version was released in North America through Nettwerk on 3 March 2009 where the band performed songs from the album on US Radio Station KCRW.
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2008, the album was nominated for Best Blues and Roots Album, Best Group, Breakthrough Artist and Best Cover Art.
Reception
Andrew Leahey from AllMusic said "Angus & Julia Stone's debut recalls the lush, cuddle-up-in-bed indie folk of the Weepies and Kaiser Cartel. A Book Like This takes strength from its two young songwriters, both of whom approach love and coming-of-age issues from their own gendered perspective. Julia plays the part of the quirky ingénue, her vocals fluttering like a young Joanna Newsom over homespun melodies and gauzy instrumental backdrops... where brother Angus details an awkward encounter with the fairer sex". Leahey concluded "A Book Like This is an appropriate soundtrack for lazy Sunday afternoons and slow Monday mornings, when the pace of the world matches the relaxed gait of this band."
Track listing
Alternative version (2009)
Personnel Zach Brock – strings, violin Ian Burdge – cello Mitchell Connelly – drums, percussion Calina de la Mare – violin Emery Dobyns – harmony Ali Friend – bass Fran Healy – bass, congas, Glockenspiel, Piano Sally Herbert – string arrangements, strings, violin Christopher Hoffman – cello, strings John Metcalfe – viola Elizabeth Myers – strings, viola Ian Pritchett – bass Jeff Ratner – bass, double bass Angus Stone – guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, Vocals Julia Stone – Bazouki, guitar, organ, piano, trumpet, vocals Cameron Whipp – violin Sarah Jane Wilson – cello Producers – Angus & Julia Stone, Fran Healy, Ian Pritchett Mixer – Ian Pritchett Illustrator – Caroline Pedler
Charts Weekly charts Chart (2007–2010) Peak position US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) 32
Year-end charts Chart (2007) Position Australian Artist Albums Chart 47 Chart (2008) Position Australian Albums Chart 60 Australian Artist Albums Chart 14 Chart (2010) Position Australian Artist Albums Chart 47
Certifications
Release history Country Date Format Label Catalogue Australia 8 September 2007 CD Capitol/EMI 5056592 Europe 8 September 2007 CD Discograph 3233062 United Kingdom 31 March 2008 CD/DVD, digital download Flock/PIAS FLOCKCD1ST US & Canada 2009 CD/DVD, digital download Nettwerk 067003082525
References