Long awaited by fans and music enthusiast The Avett Brothers’ eighth studio album, “Magpie and the Dandelion” was released this past Tuesday. The band once again teamed up with music producer Rick Rubin, who produced their previous two albums, “I and love and you” and “The Carpenter”. “Magpie” has 11 songs that when put together generates a very well rounded album.
On my first listen I felt that the first couple of tracks are very reminiscent of the band’s older albums. They are full of the classic nu-folk sound that fans originally fell in love with. A heavy use of banjo and drum mixed with harmonica really blended together nicely to make the songs upbeat and energy-packed. One of the reasons I love “Magpie” so much is that it has those songs that are classic Avett, but the album also incorporates the Avett Brothers’ newer song style of power ballads. The newer style is slow and light and relies heavily on strong and catchy choruses such as in the song “Good to You”. In comparison, the older style is loud and has a in your face kind of tone that is fun to sing along to like the song “Open Ended Life”.
“Magpie” carries on the Avett Brothers’ great tradition of music that works to understand the theme of love and when that love falls apart. Avett Brothers have been one of my favorite bands for a while because all their music is so rich in stories especially love stories. I love songs like “I Would be Sad” and “January Wedding”. These songs tell intense stories that encapsulate my heart and push my understanding of love.
I suggest that you buy this album if you’re an Avett fan because it is everything good about the Avett Brothers’ music in one album. If you are not a fan I think you should still give this album a chance because it would be a great introduction to a very talented band. The Avett Brothers will be in Little Rock on Nov. 8 performing at the Verizion Arena and if you have the chance to go I promise you won’t regret it. The Avett Brothers came to Harding in the spring of 2011, and senior Brad Clark describes the concert as “one of the best concert I have ever been to.”
