Twenty-five years ago a rag-tag bunch of folkies got together and formed a band called Things of Stone & Wood that went on to define Melbourne in the early 90s.

Off the back of their top 10 single "Happy Birthday Helen", the band achieved national success, international tours, a gold album 'The Yearning' and even a Late Show parody, kicking off a career that would place them as one of Australia's most loved Folk-Rock bands.

Described as "Melbourne's most inspired and inspiring acoustic band" (Michael Dwyer), their imaginative use of organic instruments set off an acoustic/folk movement that paved the way for the likes of John Butler, The Waifs and Angus and Julia Stone.

The Essential brings together 17 of the band's classic hits from their first two albums, 'The Yearning' (1993), and 'Junk Theatre' (1995)