The Avett Brothers’ 2009 release has old and new fans listening with fresh admiration for this decade old North-Carolina folk-rock band. Scott and Seth Avett sing raw theatrical leads and brotherly harmonies with precision, engagement and authenticity. The rootsy arrangements of acoustical instruments (vocals unadulterated by effects, guitar, piano, banjo, bass, cello, violin) are dynamically textured and paced, alternately spacious and drenched, and borrow across genres from bluegrass to pop ballads to punk-attitude rock.
Pardon the archetypes, but the album’s potpourri evokes music from Queen to Ramones rock energy, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band string-Americana, Buddy Holly glee, Warren Zevon vulnerability, and emotional explorations ranging from Leonard Cohen darkness to Jane Siberry lightness.
The stellar production provides this brotherly songwriting duo the stage to convey the spectrum of moods. Their songwriting is a sober and uplifting invitation for the listener to “decide what to be and just be it.” The songs give a glimpse into the genius hearts of this songwriting team as they struggle through dark and light confessions toward a goal of non-pedantic goodness.
These tender poets integrate it all gracefully and truthfully, from insights about the addictive disease of desire in Ill With Want, to personal/political turmoil in Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise, to disarming, jubilance and admiration for one’s true love in the bouncy January Wedding to the contagion of our personal choices in And It Spread. Produced by Rick Rubin (who uses the Beatles to set the bar), this album is a five-thumbs-up!
The Avett Brothers perform at Rialto Theatre on April 23.
