The Avett Brothers-Magpie And The Dandelion: Review

     A little over a year ago the Avett Brothers released The Carpenter, and enjoyable if somewhat “too clean” album. Magpie and the Dandelion succeeds The Carpenter by being a little more raw and less certain of itself with darkness simmering just underneath some of these songs.

     Brothers Seth and Scott mostly split vocal duties on this album like the others before it. I still haven’t decided whose vocals I like more and I don’t think I want to. These guys are talented, especially when doing harmonies together.

     The album opens on a bright note with ‘Open Ended Life’. Freedom and the road are recurring themes for the Avetts but they capture it so well. On ‘Morning Song’ Scott sings, “Even though I know there’s hope in every morning song, I have to find that melody alone.” If hope’s on his mind, it’s realizing he’s alone that may hurt the most. ‘Never Been Alive’ is slow and murky with muted guitar strums on reverb spaced throughout the song. It’s disconcerting as perhaps are the second thoughts that Seth’s having.

     My favorite and the most beautful song on the album is ‘Bring Your Love To Me’. Seth’s vocals are pure, explaining why he should be the one she loves. When the vocals reach their crescendo, Scott’s banjo comes in; not charging, but easy, serving as an excellent backdrop for Seth’s vocal to fade out on. This is a perfect example of how well these guys can craft a song.

     ‘Good To You’ is one of the most honest songs on the album. It isn’t merely and empty statement but more of a realization and bassist Bob Crawford’s verse is very heartfelt. It’s great to hear Seth command a crowd on ‘Souls Like The Wheels’, another album highlight. Even though it’s recorded live, it’s amazing to me that he doesn’t make one mistake; not one.

     Magpie And The Dandelion is an impressive addition to an already outstanding catalog. I think that maybe the Avetts are on this quest to live and do good and write the perfect song about it. They’ll get there eventually and I look forward to listening when they do.

Album Review: Essential Tremors

     Essential Tremors opens with a buzzing guitar lick that walks you to Walston’s soulfully ragged vocal and from there…it’s on.

     ‘Heavy Bells’, the first track and single finds Walston wary of tolling bells and perhaps his own thoughts with a chorus that comes burning through before allowing some space for its transition back to the verse. The band flexes its muscle from there on out, effortlessly piecing together stomping grooves and dance-worthy rock.

     At least that’s the case with the album’s first act. Around midway through, Essential Tremors takes a welcome turn into some of the band’s smoothest, most well written songs. ‘Nobody Knows’ is a slower, pleading song about forbidden love. ‘Hard Times’ is one of those perfect driving songs with bended guitar notes and subtle junkyard drums. Walston may be singing about the hard times but he knows the good is sure to be back.

     Now we come to ‘Boys Can Never Tell’. If the first part of the album were the mountain, this would be the peak. I’m not entirely sure what Walston is singing about. I’ve got a few ideas but everyone knows the best part of a song is interpreting it for yourself.

     After that, ‘Same Days’ picks the mood back up and J. Roddy and the Business get back to stomping and the R&B tinged ‘Midnight Cry’ closes the album out. I was lucky enough to catch these guys perform at Waterfront Park in Louisville, Ky where they led the crowd in a chorus of this song. There was this group of people not too far away from us that managed to get one of those floating lanterns in the air. During an instrumental break, Walston looks up to the lantern exclaiming, “oh hell,” before putting his head back down to the piano and jamming with the band.