Yesterday I mentioned that I was going to write about the new Avett Brothers record, and today I will fulfill that promise.

I need to say right off, I am a big fan of the Avett Brothers. I got heavily involved when they started to work with Rick Rubin, and really haven't ever looked back. Hell, I am even on board with them going electric on some songs. With that being said, I cannot figure out how I feel about their newest record, "Closer than Together". I do want to say, I think it is extremely well written, and when it comes to playing an instruments, the Avett Brothers are top notch. And, I enjoy most of the songs. But, there are some songs on the album that I just can't decide if I like it, or if it should even be on the record.

Lets get to the stuff I like first. The first three opening tracks are very good. They are quintessential Avett Brothers. The songs are acoustic heavy, they are about great topics and they fit. I especially love the message in "We Americans". It is a profound song, and I hope it gets played and talked about for years to come. And while I said the first three songs are acoustic heavy, the opening track has some great electric guitar playing right at the top. I really like "C Sections and Railway Trestles". It is a very poignant and true song about having a kid. The stuff that is written and sung is damn near perfect and poetic. The song is really about the ups and downs of having a newborn. I am also a fan of the single, "High Steppin". This is a departure from what they normally do, and while it does have a talking portion, more on that later, I find the song catchy and easy to dance to. My kids like it as well. I respect, and agree with the message on "Bang Bang" and "New Woman's World". "Bang Bang" is a great tune about our country's obsession with guns. And "New Woman's World" is right. We need to let the ladies take over because men have screwed stuff up big time, especially lately. "Better Here" is a nice, slow burn of a song that has some tremendous piano work all over it. "Who Will I Hold" has that banjo sound I have come to associate with the Avett Brothers, especially when Scott Avett sings. He is the better singer of the two, they are both great though, in my opinion. And I feel like "Locked Up" should be the closer. It has that feel. It is a sped up acoustic tune that would have been perfect to end on.

Now to the stuff I am a bit more confused on. I like the song "Long Story Short", but it is a total Bob Dylan rip off. Hell, I even compared it to my dad and wife as a Dewey Cox rip off. It just goes on and on and on with three chords seeming to be the only instrumental part. Still, it is a solid song. And then there are a few songs that are just slow. "When You Learn" feels like filler, and they could have made this a B side. And the actual closer, "It's Raining Today" is just not for me. When I listen I actually find myself checking the run time. I usually just skip it and start the record over. But, if these are my only real "qualms" with the record, I have to say, this is another, in a long line, of very good Avett Brothers records. I do wish that Scott Avett sang on more of the songs, at least lead vocals, but as I said, both brothers are very strong singers.

Overall, I like "Closer than Together". You can hear growth, yet there is the comfort of their reliable sound from past records. Any Avett Brothers fan will enjoy this record, and I think it may even convert some people that are yet to give them a chance.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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