The Avett Brothers - Magpie And The Dandelion

Concord, NC's folk rock sensations The Avett Brothers are back with their latest effort titled Magpie And The Dandelion. The follow up to last year's stunning The Carpenter finds the Southern gentlemen continuing to bring their trademark blend of folk rock mixed in with a introspective lyrical mindset that makes them one of the must see acts in music today.

We kick things off with "Open Ended Life" a slick, laid back tune featuring the trademark lead vocals of Seth Avett helped out by his brother Scott on banjo that shows off the band's trademark country tinged drawl that works its way through every crawl space of the song and burrows right in your heart almost immediately. "Morning Song" is my favorite track off the disc, a homegrown and passionate ballad that completely evokes the folk/country hybrid that they worked so hard to mold and shape all throughout the years, and the fruits of their labor are realized on this outstanding track that features light banjo arrangements and a reflective nature that makes it feel like you're relaxing with the band right out on the front porch admiring the view from afar. "Another Is Waiting" is the first single off the effort that has a slight pop sensibility to it that is a little different than from what we're used to hearing from the gentlemen, and it comes across as being too short of a track but is a solid composition nonetheless. "Bring Your Love To Me" is a highly introspective tune featuring Seth's top notch vocals working its way through to your heart, and having a emotional connection reached between the musician and listener that is so authentic, it's almost as if he's speaking directly to you and telling you how he feels. "Good To You" achieves all the same musical goals as the subsequent track achieved, and bodes well as we head into the latter half of the disc laying ahead.

The second half features "Skin And Bones" an authentic, fascinating track that allows us to take a at a glance look at the fellows as they bring trademark charisma and charm right to the forefront here on this sensational track that features more traditional bluegrass arrangements than the other songs provided. We get ready to close things out with "Vanity" a carefree, downtempo track featuring intricate piano arrangements and Seth's vocals once again providing the emotional backdrop as we close things out in a reflective state of mind. "The Clearness Of Gone" does a terrific job of closing everything out with a terrific melodic refrain that brings everyone together as we look back on a job well done from these down to earth and true, honest musicians. I had heard about The Avett Brothers for awhile, and I was particularly touched and astounded from their last album The Carpenter as it really affected me emotionally as how authentic and different they sounded from any other act out there, and they really have a grasp as to how to communicate directly one-on-one with the listener and make it feel like that they're actually talking to you and seeing how you're doing. That's part of the unsung beauty and genuine spirit that makes me love these guys so much.

All in all, a terrific and real effort from The Avett Brothers who have quickly grown on me and have become an inspiration of sorts as to how to approach listening to music and reach an emotional connection with the artist unlike anyone else currently out there.

                                                                                                                      Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Open Ended Life
2. Morning Song
3. Never Been Alive
4. Another Is Waiting
5. Bring Your Love To Me
6. Good To You
7. Apart From Me
8. Skin and Bones
9. Souls Like The Wheels
10. Vanity
11. The Clearness Is Gone