The Gleam

If any of you have ever seen the Avetts play live, you've heard songs like these (if you haven't then you need to go see them, seeing as they're one of the best live acts touring the country right now.) These are the songs that they play after string breaking intense tracks like "Talk on Indolence" and "Colorshow". They go so wild on some songs that sometimes they just need to slow down to get their breath back, and it's at these times you get to listen to just how beautiful and fragile their music can become. Most of these songs take me back to Carolina Jubilee with their similarities to Avett masterpieces like "November Blue" and "The Offering". "If It's The Beaches" may be the best song they've ever written. It is so heartbreakingly beautiful that it sort of shocks when you realize it's a breakup song. I'd have to say that a lot of first time fans that go to the Avett Bros' concerts go because of songs they've heard that display more of a punk twinge on bluegrass. They come...Read more

The Avett Brothers never cease to amaze. You think they're going too far out on the wrong limb, then they do a back flip and completely delight you with their talent and gift with music.

Let's go Bob-less and quiet for a six-song session focusing on the melodies and lyrics at the heart of all our music. Let's not try out half the songs on a regular basis in front of our live crowds. Let's see what happens.

What happens is brilliance caught in a studio. "Sanguine" is the perfect mellow lead-in, slow and thoughtful, catchy but just off-kilter enough to give it character. "When I Drink" is a nice little ditty in the style of "Pretend Love" and "Sixteen in July," except a bit more cheerful in tone if not in subject matter. "Yardsale" has yet to grow on me, but it's got story and pleasant enough melodies. "Backwards In Time" is a hit, catchy and fun, like "One Hit Wonder" channeling the Beatles' "When I'm Sixty-Four." "If It's The Beaches" is a powerful...Read more

A gentler more soul searching Avett Brother recording."Oh man" you will think, as you are listening, "I have, I did, exactly....."
Scott and Seths song writing skills are never better. Anyone that can sing a song about a hangover that makes you want to cry....brilliance. Nevertheless, as lulling and melodic as the wonderful disc is, see them live. They turn even the most melancholy tune into a foot stomping, string breaking rabble rouser. I love these Brothers.