Lousiville Courier-Journal: Avett Brothers get it right

The Courier-Journal – Louisville, KY

Album Review
Avett Brothers get it right on 'Emotionalism'

By Jeffrey Lee Puckett
jpuckett@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

For years, Avett Brothers records have had a sprawling, almost wild quality that could turn quickly from intense excitement to heartache to self-indulgence. It was the best kind of crapshoot, but sometimes you wondered about the band's internal editor.

Then came "The Gleam," an EP of songs featuring Seth and Scott Avett with their acoustic guitars minus bassist Bob Crawford. There wasn't a wasted note, let alone a wasted song, and it was among last year's finest, most moving records.
 
With "Emotionalism," a full-length effort with Crawford returning, the Avetts have tempered the sprawl by retaining much of "The Gleam's" focus but haven't abandoned their more adventurous sensibilities. It's a potent combination of songcraft, the occasional whiskey-fueled barn dance and the band's often devastating honesty (which is tempered by a wry humor).

The Avetts' trademark, string-popping ravers, are in short supply here but, frankly, those usually work better in concert, where they can be thrilling. "Emotionalism" is dedicated to internal bleeding — old hurts, misplaced love, bad decisions and, like slivers of light on a dark night, glimpses of happier days.

When Seth and Scott get it right, there's genuine brilliance in their writing and singing. Their best songs have a tender tension, a struggle between recognizing right, wrong and accepting the responsibility of your actions. They also understand and embrace life's gray areas, a quality that comes through in harmony singing that combines Scott's grounded introspection and Seth's heartbreaking, emotionally unfiltered approach.

When an Avett Brothers performance brings both the fire and the lace, it can be a moving experience. They headline WFPK's Waterfront Wednesdays concert this Wednesday on the Harbour Lawn at Waterfront Park (6 p.m., free). Peter Searcy and Willy Mason open.

Jeffrey Lee Puckett is SCENE's pop music editor and oversees the Music page.