Disco de The Avett Brothers: “Live, Vol. 3”

I had caught some of these guys on a special on the Palladia channel. I told my wife about them and she surprised me with the album on Christmas. I can't get enough of it. The Avett Bros. are not just talented, but fun and entertaining. I have not been able to say this about a full length album (live or studio) for quite some time. Great from the opening note to the last bounce. If this performance does not get you up and out of your seat, making you want more - check your pulse!

This live album gives you a little glimpse into what it is like to see the Avett Brothers at a live concert...and it is filled with raw energy, pure emotion, crazy energy and some great songs that you will find yourself learning the words to whether you usually do such things or not. You can hear the bluegrass roots (with a little punk thrown in) but then is morphs into something completely unique to the brothers. They play off one another and with one another and it is rare to see such total collaboration without signs of ego taking over. It is even better if you get the DVD to watch. Having a cello player is just the icing on a very delicious cake. They are lip smacking, jumping round clapping, and these songs show the growth of two boys into men. Very good, very great. What else can I say? Go get the CD, then the DVD and if you are lucky they will play nearby, it is worth the drive.

The first time I heard the Avett Brothers was on this past Grammys. I was hooked from then on. They seem to be able to mix bluegrass with alternative in a type of cohesion that I never thought could be possible. Love them!

I have been a fan for a while, but this CD was a revelation. Now I know that the Avetts have crazy manic fans who sing all the words and cheer their favorite lyrics. And more importantly, I know how much they love their fans and their hometown of Charlotte. I have never heard a live album before in which the artists repeatedly and so emotionally expressed their love for their roots. It is so very moving.

Artistically, this CD captures all the harmonic energy of the Avett Brothers. Of course they were pumped up. The performance is pretty great, which is kind of a miracle, given all the adrenaline and emotion they were clearly experiencing. This sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime concert. As one of those old fogies who goes to a concert to actually listen to the music and see the performers, this strikes me as the perfect way to experience the concert, without all those fans jumping up and blocking my sight lines. (OK, I'm an old crab, but some of you can identify - admit it.)

I put this CD on whenever I want to put a smile on my face. The music is wonderful, the emotion is palpable, and it's just what music is all about for me.

Having seen the Avett Bros live a couple times, when I popped this cd in, I felt like I was at a show again. They are so raw and real when performing; you definitely feel that when listening to this album. So great.