The Avett Brothers Album: “Gleam”

The Avett Brothers never cease to amaze. You think they're going too far out on the wrong limb, then they do a back flip and completely delight you with their talent and gift with music.

Let's go Bob-less and quiet for a six-song session focusing on the melodies and lyrics at the heart of all our music. Let's not try out half the songs on a regular basis in front of our live crowds. Let's see what happens.

What happens is brilliance caught in a studio. "Sanguine" is the perfect mellow lead-in, slow and thoughtful, catchy but just off-kilter enough to give it character. "When I Drink" is a nice little ditty in the style of "Pretend Love" and "Sixteen in July," except a bit more cheerful in tone if not in subject matter. "Yardsale" has yet to grow on me, but it's got story and pleasant enough melodies. "Backwards In Time" is a hit, catchy and fun, like "One Hit Wonder" channeling the Beatles' "When I'm Sixty-Four." "If It's The Beaches" is a powerful song of love slipping out of reach, beautiful in its tragedy. "Find My Love" almost echoes "Four Thieves Gone" in its chorus, but also has nice melodies and instrumentation throughout.

This album is mellow. If you love the Avetts, then you'll probably enjoy it. If you love the Avetts' harder songs and get a beer during the slow stuff, you'd probably be better off buying a pack of PBR. If you've never heard the Avetts, this probably isn't the disc to start off with unless you fancy Iron and Wine, Bright Eyes, or other lighter fare- try Mignonette or Four Thieves Gone, Carolina Jubilee if you can find it. Five-star product regardless.

Seriously one of my favorite music acts ever. Brilliant lyrics, captivating story telling, authentic folk/country sound. Love them.

I have this album, and it is great. I love all the stuff this band does. I have seen them in concert like 6 times so far, and will be seeing them again in Atlanta in April.

However, do NOT pay some B-S prices of $15 and above. This is a 6 song EP, and while it is good, I warn anyone from paying more then that. I saw one on here today that was $72...from the UK! These boys are from North Carolina, there is no need to buy this from England.

See them if you get the chance, and buy anything they put out, you won't be sorry. Just don't get ripped off here.

This is a must-have for any fan of the Avett Brothers. The songs are introspective slices of life that offer insight and humor. They cover it all--yard sales (and the imagined narratives that accompany items), drinking too much, disillusionment, learning from mistakes, and lost love. The songs are stripped down to guitar, piano, and banjo; toss in the occasional fiddle or harmonica. There aren't any real rockers on this ep (if that's what you're looking for), but each song is a little gem that makes this album shine. If you don't own this, you should.

I bought this EP for "If It's the Beaches", my favorite song on the CD, and one of the first Avett Brothers songs I ever heard. Interestingly, though it's a wonderful song, I don't think it's typical of their sound, and since this CD does not include Bob Crawford, the stand-up bass player, the whole recording is a little different than their others. The songs are slow, more focused on the words. (But that's a good thing.) This is a good CD if you already have several Avett Brothers CDs, but for somebody who is just starting their collection, I would also recommend Mignonette or Emotionalism.