MUSIC: The Avett Brothers release another great album.
By Jonathan Whang, Staff Writer
Since 2000, the Avett Brothers have been an active band. They started out releasing independent music and performing on tours, and were eventually signed by a record label. The band consists of three main members: two brothers—Scott Avett and Seth Avett—and Bob Crawford. Earlier this month, the band released their eighth full-length album: Magpie and the Dandelion.
The tracks on Magpie and the Dandelion actually came out of the same studio sessions that produced the Brothers’ previous album, The Carpenter. However, it would be wrong to expect a simple collection of rehashes; instead of sounding like leftovers, Magpie sounds just as good as a separate production.
Something that mystifies me about Magpie and the Dandelion is the way that the songs differ in genre. One moment, I’m hearing the slow, piano-driven folk rock of “Never Been Alive,” and the next, “Another Is Waiting” surprises me with a novelty of punk-bluegrass. If it weren’t for the banjo, I could easily mistake Green Day to be the artist. “Vanity” also seems to have some punk influence, but the rest of the tracks oscillate between folk rock and bluegrass. “Souls Like the Wheels” is a live recording, of which I had no idea until I heard the applause. It appears that the band is just as good live as it is in the studio, if not better.
Instead of evolving their sound, the Brothers’ new album seems to focus on solidifying it. I don’t blame them—it’s probably better that the band is taking its time with developing their current sound rather than changing it.
If you’re an advocate for change, there’s no need to worry. Judging from their busy history of 13 years and counting, I don’t think the Avett Brothers plan on going stale anytime soon.
For the eighth time, this humble yet talented band has endeavored to release good music. But if their newest album doesn’t please their listeners, it’s like what Seth Avett said in a CNN interview, “it’s completely normal and completely legitimate to feel that way […] [and] we’re thankful that there ever was something we did that [listeners] liked […] even if they’re not liking our current work.” Who could ask for more humility in a band?
Photo courtesy of www.billboard.com