Angus and Julia Stone - Just a Boy

Flock

September 2, 2008, 04:43 PM

Angus And Julia Stone are an Australian brother and sister musical collaboration. After one album and a few EPs, they release another single from 'A Book Like This'.

'Just A Boy' is delicate blend of acoustic guitars, simple piano and dominant vocals from Angus. Unfortunately any contribution from Julia is pushed into the background. The song takes an age to get moving and there is little change, or any up-tempo lift, from verse to chorus. The mid-section is filled with a blast of harmonica before Angus returns with more of the same melancholy drawl. Somewhere there is a good, well intentioned, love song trying to escape the monotony. This might be representive of their album but as a single it is flat and listless.

It is a shame that Angus And Julia Stone often choose to keep things so simple. Their music works best when both vocals are used (such as previous single 'The Beast') but this rarely happens. The contrast between the two voices is what makes them interesting so 'Just A Boy' sounds a bit flat. This also has much to do with the lack of inspired arrangement. Pleasant but boring.