Although their fifth studio album, Emotionalism was the album that first started to catch the collective of Scott and Seth Avett, along with Bob Crawford, some national attention. It landed them a spot on television and more importantly a record deal with Rick Rubin on American Recordings. This of course was even a couple years before cutesy folk-pop groups like Mumford and Sons or The Lumineers started springing up. Call it perhaps the slow beginning of a movement.
Granted, The Avett ... read more
When it comes to music, I am not easily impressed. There are very few artists that are as masterful and as consistent as the Avett Brothers, and I believe Emotionalism is the peak of their creative efforts both from a musical perspective and lyricism. This album was released before the band's collaboration with famed music producer Rick Rubin, and I believe that helps the quality of the record more than it harms it. Each song carries the rawness that made their previous projects so enjoyable, ... read more
Having heard a few bits of The Avett Brothers' discography before, and seeing relatively strong acclaim, I went into this with higher hopes than it delivered for me. I felt like the quality of the tracks varied greatly, but on the whole, it was generally unremarkable between tracks as well as within them, lyrically spotty, and a bit empty with strong vocals paired with lackluster instrumentation.
Highlights would be Paranoia in B Major, All My Mistakes, Go to Sleep.
Paranoia is pretty ... read more
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