Down The Way

Angus & Julia Stone | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 30, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nettwerk Records
• ASIN: B0036WHM1E
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,861 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #17 in Music > World Music > Australia & New Zealand

Track Listings

1. Hold On

2. Black Crow

3. For You

4. Big Jet Plane

5. Santa Monica Dream

6. Yellow Brick Road

7. And The Boys

8. On The Road

9. Walk It Off

10. Hush

11. Draw Your Swords

12. I'm Not Yours

13. The Devil's Tears

Editorial Reviews

2010 release from the Australian siblings. Travelling has been an integral part of the Stone's musical story so it's not surprising they opted to record Down The Way in a number of diverse locations around the globe; an old sawmill on the river banks of Fowey in Cornwall, a studio in Brooklyn, a water tank in Coolangatta, their second home - London - and Queens in New York. Down The Way marks their debut as producers, taking full control of their sound without losing the spirit of what made the first record so special. There has been a subtle shift of gear, represented by a growing confidence in their abilities as artists and the music follows suit as it flows easily through sparse and rich textured arrangements without losing any of its etherealness and charm.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Siblings all grown up April 4, 2010

By J. Loudon

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

In 2007, Angus & Julia Stone released their debut record, A Book like This. With a focus on fairy tale themes and simplistic instrumentation, the album was a solid debut, but inevitably forgettable. Three years later, Angus and Julia have returned with a great deal of experience under their belts and what seems to be a lifetime of knowledge on the topics they were just beginning to understand in their debut.

Trading vocals with her brother on every other song, Julia takes the lead track with "Hold On." Her vocals are soft, airy and innocent sounding with similarities to Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O. With a lush string section reminiscent of Sia's "Breathe Me" building in the background, Angus & Julia have definitely expanded their instrumentation since their last release. The following track, "Black Crow," gives Angus a chance to shine. With a likeness to Kings of Leon's "On Call," "Black Crow" lays down a slow groove that remains unaltered throughout, but builds on a dynamic level that keeps the song interesting.

Ringing in at 66 minutes long, the Stone siblings have given us a great deal of material to absorb. The weakness in the record occurs in the middle when creativity takes a backseat to genre experimentation and repetition. Tracks like "And the Boys" and "Walk It Off" have moments of beauty, but rapidly become lackluster. Ending with "The Devil's Tears," however, is somewhat redeeming for those patient enough to play through the remainder of the thirteen total tracks on this release. Angus and Julia share a quiet duet that relates Down the Way to their first album while placing their maturation on display.

Down the Way is a vast improvement from Angus & Julia Stone's first release. My guess is they will continue to grow and expand their instrumentation as the years progress. They have developed a great deal of buzz in Australia and in the U.K., but have yet to make their mark in the U.S. Perhaps this will be the album that gives them the break they deserve.

Similar Artists: She & Him, Taken by Trees

Track Suggestion: "For You"

********ADDITION***********
Since my original review of this record, it has gradually become one of my favorite albums of the year. This is an album that continues to grow on you with every listen. It's less than $10 now...buy it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite album of the season October 21, 2010

By Brian S. Popowitz

Format:Audio CD

Down The Way feels like laying in bed on a Saturday afternoon. Siblings Angus and Julia combine imaginative lyrics with acoustic instruments to put the listener in a calm daze. Julia's childlike, innocent vocals are well balanced by Angus's relaxed harmonies.
"Big Jet Plane" is one of the most memorable songs on the album. It combines simple melodies with suggestive lyrics to flawlessly balance naďve and mature. "On the Road" is another satisfying song from the album. Julia and Angus's harmonies combine the style of the Mamas and Papas with a modern acoustic-folk style incomparable to other albums out today.
Down the way is a mellow album that will pass by in what feels like only minutes.

5.0 out of 5 stars Music to my Soul! March 23, 2013

By Jezebel22

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love this cd! The songs are poetic in nature and soothing to listen to after a craze work day.