I don't hide the fact that I'm a huge fan, but even I was a little disappointed with last's Rick Rubin record "Closer Than Together". Their sound was getting bigger and more complicated. In and of itself, evolution in a band isn't necessarily a bad thing, and you actually expect it and appreciate it. Sometimes, those changes miss the mark a bit, and that was my feeling with "Closer."

For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, the Avett Bros had a two album series called "The Gleam." It was stripped down, three-piece arrangements with Scott, Seth, and Bob Crawford. A bass, a guitar, a banjo, and sometimes a piano. Maybe a kick drum. "The First Gleam" was released in 2006, and it was an undeniably beautiful album. "The Second Gleam" followed in 2008, and again, an exceptional albums of song writing.

Fast Forward a bit. 12 years later, the Avett Brothers give us "The Third Gleam" and it's another stripped down, easy and slow, nu-folk record with an emphasis on the three-piece set up and lyrics. This is classic Avett Brothers stuff, and I love it.

Yeah, it's a overly sentimental and more than a little sappy at times, but that's the way the Gleam records have always been. I have always thought these guys are - if anything - earnest, and it certainly comes across in this one. It may not be for everyone, but it's a nice respite from the world right now.

Here's the lead track

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inv_ntQkXgU][/url]

I am a huge Avett Brothers fan (like flew to Mexico twice for their Avetts at the Beach thing fan) but I have to say that is now two albums in a row that have really disappointed me. The song you posted i actually really like and I had hope for The Third Gleam with it being the first track. Just absolutely nothing grabbed me after that.

Mexico was a great trip! Wish I could have made DR.

I still like the last two albums. Don't love them all the way through, but they all still get shuffled.

I have not made the Mexico trip, but I did partake in the nights at Red Rocks once upon a time. Still my favorite concert experience to date.

We are doing red rocks next summer.

Sazerac said:

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We are doing red rocks next summer.

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We have tickets for next summer at Red Rocks as well. We had them for this year when we decided not to do the Dominic. I understand flights to the DR were better for a lot of their fan base out East but it was tough from Austin. Anyway. Hopefully we can see concerts next summer.

One piece of advice for the Red Rocks trip: figure out how you're going to get out of that place before the concert, and book a car or something. Like an idiot, I relied on a rideshare app, not realizing that it is in the middle of nowhere. After the concert, I was desperate to get a ride and couldnt' find one. We ended up paying a dude $100 cash to let us jump in the back of a van he had booked.

This is my favorite band, and I will second that I really did not like Closer but I'm loving the Third Gleam for the most part. Untitled is wonderful