Sunday Music Spotlight – The Avett Brothers

They’re not bluegrassy enough to be a real bluegrass band. They’re not rockin’ enough to be a real rock band. They’ve got too much bluegrass and rock to be a folk band. So what kind of band is The Avett Brothers? Doesn’t matter. Their music will work its way into your head and setup camp.

So who are these unclassifiable musical siblings? Well the name isn’t just for show. Two of the three full-time members of the band are actually Avett brothers. Seth and Scott Avett’s first attempt at a band was Nemo, and it was more of the punk persuasion. When that didn’t work out they recruited upright bass player Bob Crawford and started playing something a little rootsier. A little more harmonic. With a little more banjo.

Once the Avett Brothers got their old-timey band together they didn’t waste any time getting to work. In 2002 they released their first EP, Country Was. The next year they released a live album called Live at the Double Door Inn. 2004 brought Mignonette, their first full-length album. Another live album, Live, Vol 2 came in 2005. Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions, their second full album, and The Gleam, an EP, came in 2006. Last year saw them release Emotionalism, their best album to date. And this month they’ve released yet another EP, The Second Gleam. That’s eight releases in 6 years. Not bad work at all.

Not content to sit on their laurels, The Avett Brothers have signed with American/Columbia Records and gone into the studio with Rick Rubin, the label and the man who helped revive Johnny Cash’s career. Can’t wait to see what he does with this talented group.

“Murder in the City”

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“If I get murdered in the city don’t go revenging in my name”. That’s a really good opening line. Especially since I think getting murdered is a possibility every time I go into Baltimore city…

“Matrimony” (from Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions)

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This uptempo number is a tale of a relationship gone wrong at a very bad time. Despite the sad subject matter, the rhythmic guitar, vocal harmonies, and well-placed handclaps make this a very catchy tune.

Videos
“Die Die Die”, live

“Paranoia in Bb Major”

“Distraction #74″ on North Carolina television, with an interview

Links
Buy The Second Gleam
Official Site
MySpace