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Avett Brothers
Avett Brothers
I first became aware of the Avett Brothers (pronounced A-vet) when my cousin, who had gotten me into a lot cooler bands than I was used to (Modest Mouse, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) sent me a burnt CD of their 2007 album, and arguably their best, Emotionalism. I was blown away. I had never really been into bluegrass (which has since changed), and, really, calling the Avett Brothers bluegrass would be underselling them (the press preferred the term grunge-grass, whatever that means) and would be doing the bluegrass community a disservice. I just remember being blown away by their amazing lyrics, harmonies, musicianship, and energy! It's rare you put on an album from an artist you have never heard before and just- BAM!- fall in love immediately. That's what happened when I heard the first track off of Emotionalism, "Die Die Die". Again, I can not urge you enough to go listen to that album if this band sounds like something up your alley. Anyways, my aforementioned cousin had just moved to Asheville, North Carolina, and as anyone from the Carolinas will tell you, the Avett Brothers are kind of a big deal. They had been creating their own following for awhile down there, playing college bars and the like. This was a band who had created something all on their own from the ground up. To see those special years, before Rick Rubin got a hold of them, I would encourage checking out their first two live albums [2002's Live at the Double Door Inn or 2005's Live, Vol. 2]. One cool thing about getting into a band early is watching their steady climb into the mainstream. The Avetts would go on to release two brilliant E.P.'s, 2006's The Gleam and 2008's The Second Gleam, for the North Carolina indie label Ramseur Records. This was the Avetts time in the cocoon with the label, a big transitional period for them. They would find themselves going from bars to bigger venues, bigger audiences, and bigger album sales. They would soon sign to Rubin's label American Recordings. The band has released five albums on his label: 2009's I and Love and You, 2012's The Carpenter, 2013's Magpie and the Dandelion (recorded during the same sessions as The Carpenter) 2016's True Sadness, and 2019's Closer Than Together. Now listen, I love this band almost more than any others that I listen to; They hold a special place in my heart... I can't really emphasize how much I fell in love with that first album I heard, the one my cousin sent me. But I'm going to keep it real... and anyone who's seen a band's steady climb to the top will tell you... that magical time of a band's climb (I'm talking small venues, staying after the show to meet the band, the connection with the audience, etc.) is pretty much gone once they hit the big-time, some of the magic is gone but some stays alive, maybe just on a bigger scale and from a distance. Ever since I and Love and You (if you want to argue The Carpenter, fine...) the music hasn't been as consistent. I'm serious- if you work yourself backwards from Emotionalism, (2006's Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions, 2004's Mignonette, 2003's A Carolina Jubilee, and 2002's brilliant self-released debut Country Was) you'll see what I mean. But I'm not here to be negative. Out of all the new generation of Americana bands (Lumineers, Mumford and Sons, Of Monsters and Men, etc.) the Brothers are the best! They put on some of the best shows you will ever see (documented on a DVD and four live albums)! It's not often I enjoy a band's live output more than their studio stuff, but this band is an exception to that rule. I can't make a blog post about the Avett Brothers without mentioning their bad ass cello player Joe Kwon. He's their hype man as well: Just check this guy out! This is a band that embraces the rough edges. They're not afraid of stepping into the territory of country, bluegrass, pop, early-Beatles, or wherever they feeling like heading. The harmonies between the two brothers are enough to make any person's hair stand up. The lyrics are enough to bring tears to the eyes of anyone with a heart. It's been cool to watch their climb and the success they've gotten, rightly deserved might I add. I am going to leave this post with a quote from a friend, she is a great friend, a fellow-teacher as well. But above anything- she is the biggest Avett Brothers fan I know. She goes to all three nights when they play Red Rocks in the summer... EVERY YEAR! So yeah... she's the real deal. I asked her why she loved the Avett Brothers and this was her response:
The Avett Brothers
Avett Brothers
I first became aware of the Avett Brothers (pronounced A-vet) when my cousin, who had gotten me into a lot cooler bands than I was used to (Modest Mouse, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) sent me a burnt CD of their 2007 album, and arguably their best, Emotionalism. I was blown away. I had never really been into bluegrass (which has since changed), and, really, calling the Avett Brothers bluegrass would be underselling them (the press preferred the term grunge-grass, whatever that means) and would be doing the bluegrass community a disservice. I just remember being blown away by their amazing lyrics, harmonies, musicianship, and energy! It's rare you put on an album from an artist you have never heard before and just- BAM!- fall in love immediately. That's what happened when I heard the first track off of Emotionalism, "Die Die Die". Again, I can not urge you enough to go listen to that album if this band sounds like something up your alley. Anyways, my aforementioned cousin had just moved to Asheville, North Carolina, and as anyone from the Carolinas will tell you, the Avett Brothers are kind of a big deal. They had been creating their own following for awhile down there, playing college bars and the like. This was a band who had created something all on their own from the ground up. To see those special years, before Rick Rubin got a hold of them, I would encourage checking out their first two live albums [2002's Live at the Double Door Inn or 2005's Live, Vol. 2]. One cool thing about getting into a band early is watching their steady climb into the mainstream. The Avetts would go on to release two brilliant E.P.'s, 2006's The Gleam and 2008's The Second Gleam, for the North Carolina indie label Ramseur Records. This was the Avetts time in the cocoon with the label, a big transitional period for them. They would find themselves going from bars to bigger venues, bigger audiences, and bigger album sales. They would soon sign to Rubin's label American Recordings. The band has released five albums on his label: 2009's I and Love and You, 2012's The Carpenter, 2013's Magpie and the Dandelion (recorded during the same sessions as The Carpenter) 2016's True Sadness, and 2019's Closer Than Together. Now listen, I love this band almost more than any others that I listen to; They hold a special place in my heart... I can't really emphasize how much I fell in love with that first album I heard, the one my cousin sent me. But I'm going to keep it real... and anyone who's seen a band's steady climb to the top will tell you... that magical time of a band's climb (I'm talking small venues, staying after the show to meet the band, the connection with the audience, etc.) is pretty much gone once they hit the big-time, some of the magic is gone but some stays alive, maybe just on a bigger scale and from a distance. Ever since I and Love and You (if you want to argue The Carpenter, fine...) the music hasn't been as consistent. I'm serious- if you work yourself backwards from Emotionalism, (2006's Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions, 2004's Mignonette, 2003's A Carolina Jubilee, and 2002's brilliant self-released debut Country Was) you'll see what I mean. But I'm not here to be negative. Out of all the new generation of Americana bands (Lumineers, Mumford and Sons, Of Monsters and Men, etc.) the Brothers are the best! They put on some of the best shows you will ever see (documented on a DVD and four live albums)! It's not often I enjoy a band's live output more than their studio stuff, but this band is an exception to that rule. I can't make a blog post about the Avett Brothers without mentioning their bad ass cello player Joe Kwon. He's their hype man as well: Just check this guy out! This is a band that embraces the rough edges. They're not afraid of stepping into the territory of country, bluegrass, pop, early-Beatles, or wherever they feeling like heading. The harmonies between the two brothers are enough to make any person's hair stand up. The lyrics are enough to bring tears to the eyes of anyone with a heart. It's been cool to watch their climb and the success they've gotten, rightly deserved might I add. I am going to leave this post with a quote from a friend, she is a great friend, a fellow-teacher as well. But above anything- she is the biggest Avett Brothers fan I know. She goes to all three nights when they play Red Rocks in the summer... EVERY YEAR! So yeah... she's the real deal. I asked her why she loved the Avett Brothers and this was her response:
"I love the Avetts because they've made me feel and love music in a way like pretty much no-one ever has. Plus they're gorgeous and badass!"
The Avett Brothers
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