A few years back, when I was the editor of my very own zine, I stumbled across a charming little band from North Carolina thanks to a review by one of my contributors.  That band was the Avett Brothers and I ended up contacting them and getting permission to include one of their songs on our yearly CD compilation.  It was a good song, but I wasn’t that impressed with the remainder of the 5 or 6 song EP.  Fast forward a few years and now look at the Avetts…they’re hot stuff.  You don’t need to go any further than their new release, Emotionalism, for proof of this.  Production-wise this album is much different than 2006’s Four Thieves Gone.  It’s much smoother, delicate and polished, and in this case that is not a bad thing.  And although I enjoyed the last disc immensely, I think I may enjoy this one even more. 

The centerpiece of the album, “The Ballad of Love and Hate,” doesn’t have a catchy chorus, but instead 8 or 10 enchanting verses.  It’s a great tune that has lyrics to make you cry.  Then there’s the opening track, “Die, Die, Die” full of harmonies galore and beautiful interplay of guitar tracks.  Others in the same vein include “The Weight of Lies,” “Hand Me Down Tune” and “Shame.”  The more upbeat standouts include “Paranoia in B Minor,” and “Salina.”

These guys may not be as interesting as Liam and Noel (Oasis brothers) but they’re writing some darn good tunes and putting a nice modern spin on “traditional-type music.”  The disc is a great addition to the Avett catalog and is arguably their best yet.

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by Todd Mathis in Reviews