With one last release before they join the major label game, the Avett Brothers lay upon us a simple, six song EP. While having little of the production or flair of 2007's Emotionalism, the Second Gleam offers a taste of what the Avett Brothers really are: two guys from the same family who have a knack for writing poignant yet simple songs that stick with you for longer than you'd expect. The song writing efforts on this EP are extremely well done. Only employing guitars, a banjo, and sometimes a piano, this is Avett stripped to the bare bone. Bassist Bob Crawford does not even appear on the release and most songs find a slow rolling groove, similar to a calm river. With the songwriting focused on telling stories, whether it be a lover, a car, or family dynamics, the Avett Brothers shed light mainly on their thoughts; nothing more and nothing less.
The sonic quality is naturally less of what I would like it to be. It's easy to tell this was not their goal in recording this EP. The vocals are a little mushy, even naturally and beautifully out of tune (a rare find in the days of Autotune). Often, I find that the guitars sound more polished than the vocals and it would be very interesting to know more about the studio techniques that led them to this overall sound.
Overall, Avett strikes again, in a way much differently than anticipated, but nevertheless again. With a major record deal and Rick Rubin by their side, big things will be expected from Avett on their next full length release, which they are currently working on. For now though, we have this simple and relaxing reminder of Avett's potential with so little. With Emotionalism being an example of what Avett is capable of doing with full production and more ornamentation, the Second Gleam offers us a taste and a reminder that at the core, Avett's songs are written soundly, melodically, and simply. And I can't think of a better way for them to be written.
Key Tracks
Tear Down the House
If I Get Murdered in the City
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
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