Purely Positive Music Review: Avett Brothers

Like a breeze coursing through a dog's teeth in an open window, the avett brothers warm the skin, the soul and the palms of your hands. Their music draws crowds as varied and unforeseeable as possibly imaginable: a five year old girl could scramble between the feet of a big bearded biker and they'd happily commingle while mouthing lyrics like prayers. The Avett's authentic confederate beards and southern style evokes a time long past while their unique blend of banjo, strings, and simultaneous drum stomps show us where music is probably headed. Scott Avett plays the banjo, sings and marches out beats on the kick drum while Seth Avett sings, plays guitar and beats the high hat and occassionally plays keys or full drums...lazy bastards. Meanwhile, they harmonize Scott's middle range bellow with Seth's higher more frenetic voice as successfully as the jets that take off and fly around an aircraft carrier on a naval strike.

In an era of contrived musical mediocrity rated by how homogenized it can become, the Avett's defy critics, radio stations, and experts alike by maintaining their roots and the love for their heritage and their people shines through their melodies like the greek revivalist architecture spotted across the states oldest cities. Up until recently, they had been on Ramseur records with their manager Dolphus Ramseur who does not believe in written contracts, and "signed" the Avett's with a handshake. Under this record label their previous release, despite having little to no marketing involved other than their live performances, still managed to reach number 82 on the billboard charts. Since then, they have been signed by Columbia records and their latest album, I and Love and You, produced by Rick Rubin, promises to have the marketing kindling necessary to burn across radio stations and ipods all across the country. Eagerly, I await their next local concert stop to the Raleigh area as the experience promises not only to be a measure of melodic inspiration mixed with honest beautiful song writing, but also a moment in which I can really feel like I belong in this city as their fans are as warm and embracing as their music.