After eight years, five albums and two EP’s the Avett Brothers sign to a label.
While most critics would claim they have sold out by signing to a major record label Seth and Scott Avett, like most hard working artists, see it as progressing forward. After eight years of avoiding the pigeon pillory of the record label hole, the band, who has since preferred to give listeners the freedom to interpret their music, has agreed to be taken under the wing of Rick Rubin and American Recording studios. Their earlier releases can be found on Ramseur Records, their manager Dolphus Ramseur’s label.
The once lost Nemo is the now found, humbly renamed The Avett Brothers. The band was officially formed in 2001 with the addition of stand-up bassist, Bob Crawford. They chose the name not only because it is the surnames of leading contributors but the name which, with help from Nemo guitarist John Twomy, released their first DIY LP in 2000, aptly titled “The Avett Bros.”.
All the obscurest who go in search for Nemo will probably only turn up a Brooklyn based, New Wave/Rock, Binge records project by Dennis Tyhacz & Luke McCartney, who are now reformed in a group called The Sound Mirrors and will probably forever be caught in the musical purgatory of Myspace.
As for The Avett Brothers, since their debut EP they have released another EP and six full length albums, including the 2009 installment “I and Love and You”. The album features 13 of 17 fresh songs that were picked and arranged by Rubin in Malibu, California.
Following an eight year jamboree in their home state of North Carolina, a 21 city summer tour, large venue sold-out concerts and a #1 release in 2007, most of their original fan base would say they deserve it.
I and Love and You
So if the band is from North Carolina and they are now recording in California and they are not the Brooklyn based Nemo, why the hell did they write an anthem for Brooklyn? There is little published about the band’s beginnings and referring to previous releases is a no-no as it is declared later in the album they want to be loved by the men they’ve become and not who they were. To honor that there should be as little comparison as possible. This is after all a mixed genre band of progress. Even Ryan Adams who once sang about doing wrong in big cities and yearning for a return to the simplicity of the south unintentionally capitalized on the travesty after 9-11 from his song “New York, New York”. To be fair to the listener’s unfamiliar however, it should be said that in the Avett’s previous music like “Traveling Song” from the album “A Carolina Jubilee” sloughs off the city in search of the country life. Urging us to "grab our coats and hats", the first track promises a journey somewhere. Whether the title track is about leaving a difficult relationship or the bands slow regretful turnabout for previously denouncing the city “I and Love and You” expresses the emotion that emotion is sometimes difficult to express, which is probably something Brooklyn could use.
January Wedding
…delivers appreciation for simple love. The song “Love like the Movies” also from “Carolina Jubilee” could give further insight on the characters. The hint is Holden Caulfield. The line January Wedding, “I was sick with heartache and she was sick like Audrey Hepburn”, though ambiguous to the story the author is more likely referring to Audrey’s assumed sickness of the emotional heart in dealing with two divorces caused by extramarital affair and single mother-hood, whilst keeping positive form in the public face. The album, according to Seth, is about the aging from youth to young manhood “…moving out of your twenties…” it could be the predecessor to a more composed version of Kings of Leon’s “Knocked Up”.
Head Full of Doubt/ Road Full of Promise
Throughout educational, analytical, political or emotional growth, the artist conveys, growing older does not have to mean growing bitter in love, a consistent theme found in this album.
And It Spread
…delves further into the heartache that is also a prominent theme throughout the album. Here it is of the, I have just realized it hurts when you leave me and I am alone, variety.
The Perfect Space
A song divided into two parts, half slow ballad of innocent naivety, and half confirmation that though ideally what has been portrayed thus far on the album is noble, it is not always possible or even desired. Quickening the pace and upping the volume to a declarative “get out” and “I do not care what you assume or what the people told you” this song marks the near mid-point and transition of the album, much like growing older.
Ten Thousand Words
…is asking how much searching must be done until the simple questions are answered. Like most artists who see themselves as outsiders to a situation they listen and find the voice to address the larger audience. Here the artist includes himself eventually in the larger audience. Perhaps this is a bread crumb trail song to help find their way home and not get lost in the lights.
Kick Drum Heart
However, in light of their recent signing to a major label following eight years tramping towards a style this track is a formidable staple to the album. Still acknowledging their disfavor for people who are lonely and otherwise not progressing forward the Avett Brothers challenge even more elements discovered during perpetual motion. In the quest of man verses the analogies of nature, there is always more gold to be found in “rocks hard and cold”.
Laundry Room
In the passenger’s seat of a female friend’s car he begs for more time, offers distractions like the magic of a falling star and even a plan to sneak in through the laundry room door to forget her parent’s assumed requests to return home at a specific time. He asks for tutelage on her love making, without getting naked, to learn more about who she is in a way that only she can explain. In doing this it is drawn that the respect for a woman is similar to how the Avett Brothers have expressed their music should be explored. Essentially, the audience can interpret the meaning how they want but there is still only the artist who knows the personal significance of the original intent. The fallacy occurs when he offers up a sacrifice by destroying his own lyrical renditions of her to delay the inevitable end of the night. With no resolution by the finish of the song the question still begs, does she fall for it? Further still it leaves the listener wondering if she does give in, will he treat her like his music; easily disposed?
Ill With Want
Though this song could be the answer to the questions posed about the previous song it is certain mark of the maturing mind. Whether the illness is caused by the hunger for a woman or the desire of fame the band is solid in declaring they are covering new ground and this at times can be intimidating, instilling doubt.
Tin Man
Part of this intimidation comes in self-doubt. Though the Avett Brothers are larger than before, they are not untouchable, as the song implies. It must be difficult to pull the breaks while floating on a cloud. Some people are afraid of failure and others are afraid of success, the Avett Brothers are undoubtedly successful.
Slight Figure of Speech
Being a multi-genre band has its benefits. Instead of struggling to say something louder or “more aggressive” as the song states, just speed up the tempo and say more to declare a standpoint. Bravo. The title is ironic in that it is the song with the most lyrics.
It Goes On And On
Turning on like “Dog Problems” (The Format), this song closes the questions of doubt and reiterates their standpoint that life is a journey and not to sweat the small stuff.
Incomplete And Insecurity
...is just a part of life. Though the final line of the album is "I haven't finished a thing that I've started in my life" this completes their sixth full length album.
0 comments:
Post a Comment