The Avett Brothers – Kick Drum Heart (Live)
The Avett Brothers – Shame (Live)
We here at Those Who Dig are massive Avett Brothers fans. I can't even begin to explain the impact the band has had on me, musically and emotionally (we'll save that for a later post). So it's a real shame I haven't written about them yet. Now I have an excuse to since the Avetts just released Live, Volume 3.
It's no use ignoring the fact that the Avett Brothers sound and fan base has changed significantly in the last year. I loved I and Love and You, and listened to it straight through at least 100 times in a row. But it's still odd to know I share a musical taste with so many high school girls who think Seth is a babe. That being said, if any band deserved a huge increase in popularity it was these boys. They've spent years churning out honest, heartfelt, stripped down new-grass and touring endlessly.
I've seen the Avetts live four times over the years and as great and solid as their studio work is, there is absolutely nothing like a live Avetts show. There is so much passion and energy radiating from Seth, Scott, Bob, and Joe it's infectious. The audience is always raucous, dancing, and singing along to every word. It's at their live shows that you really understand why fans are so unflinchingly devoted to this band. During every song the Avetts pour their hearts out, no matter how many times they've played each song in the last year.
Live, Volume 3 is a throwback to their earlier days. The setlist is unique in that it covers their whole catalogue, where their recent tours have been very I and Love and You heavy. Even more than the song selection, the concert just feels like the Avetts of old. There's more screaming, less piano, more banjo. This feels like it could have been recorded at one of their Blue Heron shows I was at 3 years ago.
When I first heard this album was going to be coming out I thought to myself, "pleeeeasse have 'Kick Drum Heart' on it!" Don't get me wrong, I learned to love the album version, but it was nothing like seeing them scream it at 2x speed at the Newport Folk Fest last summer. The version here doesn't disappoint. Most of the gems on Live for me are Four Thieves Gone, Mignonette and Emotionalism songs, but all the newer songs feel fresh too. I won't get in to too many song particulars; Avett fans all have their own personal favorites.
To put it simply, this is the Avetts how I love them, and you should too.
Buy Live, Volume 3 from American Recordings. They're always on tour so go check them out.