Thursday, August 2, 2012

Julia Stone "By The Horns"


A few of my domestic readers will remember "Big Jet Plane" from a couple of years ago.  Many more may know of the Stone siblings from a song in last year's Twilight movie, Breaking Bad...no... News...uh, no, Dawn.  As much as I hate to admit it, that fact is most likely what is stirring international interest in the kids' solo efforts.  Julia's has been out for two months and hasn't received a peep of notice in North America.  Damn shame, too, because this is a fine record for a glass or two of wine in a quiet room or that light buzz from your favorite combustible while seated under headphones.  Your music software will dub it "folk."  I labeled it "Australiana" two years ago.  "...Horns" is a subtle record with a few strings and horns included, and features Julia's fragile, breathy voice.  One of my first notations suggested that Decemberists fans would appreciate this album.  Stevie Nicks fans would understand why I declared this to be a lost Fartwood Mac song...



Ah, hell, look what I found.  Can I call it or what?



The best track is a short song that opens with a Floyd-ish "Breathe" riff and morphs into Mr. Young's "Down By The River," inclusive of the wild-ass guitar ramblings at the end. 

"By The Horns" gets better with repeated spins, a sign of an educated recording.  The only negative is its length (38 minutes) and price.  Why is it $3 more than label mate and brother Angus' 61-minute set of brilliance?

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