The disc opens up with "The Once and Future Carpenter" a wholesome, down to earth folk ballad that introduces you to the lead vocals of Seth Avett, who takes turns with his brother Scott in a stripped down tune that is a harmonic joy and a sight to behold right in front of you. The disc's first single "Live and Die" is my favorite song off the album, and sees the group amping up the melodic velocity substantially from the prior song with Seth and Scott's vocals once again rising to the occasion and the country tinged sound screams for you to bond with the group and join them in a sing-along, an absolutely sensational track. "Pretty Girl From Michigan" is a more upbeat tune that sees the band inserting more prominent guitar arrangements that give the song a little bit of a rock edge and gives the band some diversity and makes them stand out from the current crop of folk acts out there today. "February Seven" tones it down a notch on a raw, homey folk track that brings everyone together and experience the magic unfold as it happens right before you.
We start the second half off with "Through My Prayers" a heartfelt, romantic ballad that sees Seth and Scott's vocals reaching a whole new level of depth with relaxing melodies omnipresent in the background, and the soft guitar sounds grab a hold of you and keep you company all the way through, just like a special someone in your life. "A Father's First Spring" continues to bring it with a comforting and inviting track that makes you forget your worries and put all your troubles aside and listen to what the talented gents have in store for you laying ahead. "Geraldine" is an upbeat, bombastic tune that amps the energy level substantially and allows the listener to enjoy a different facet of the band that we haven't seen much of this album, but is a welcome change. We get ready to close up shop with "Paul Newman Vs. The Demons", a track that contains hints of electric guitar and presents a band that isn't afraid to dabble in harmonies that they aren't accustomed to, but do a wonderful job of putting together with such ease and authority. "Life" wraps it up in an aura of harmonic bliss with Seth and Scott putting their dual vocal power to wonderful use on a track that blends together everything we've heard so far and combines it to show what we've heard on this wonderful and well focused album. This album was produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, who produced the band's previous effort and has worked with a broad range of artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Run DMC, and even Johnny Cash on his American Recordings series. His landmark producing style enables the band to just relax and be themselves and on occasion, dabble in genres that they wouldn't have thought about venturing in otherwise that in the long run makes the group more dynamic and allows them to go outside their comfort zone a bit.
In conclusion, a wonderful and well rehearsed follow up effort from The Avett Brothers, who have continued to bring their unique folk/country blend to the masses and intersperse it with occasional harder-edged rhythms that will make the group more noticeable to the music listener passing by and please the casual music fan in the process, satisfying everyone in the long run.
Album Score: 4/5
Track Listing:
- The Once and Future Carpenter
- Live and Die
- Winter in My Heart
- Pretty Girl From Michigan
- I Never Knew You
- February Seven
- Through My Prayers
- Down With The Shine
- A Father's First Spring
- Geraldine
- Paul Newman Vs. The Demons
- Life
No comments:
Post a Comment