The Avett Brothers

At the ripe old age of 18, I was bitten by the bluegrass bug. I fell hard and fast for the genre and I haven't looked back since.

As I sat down to write this post, I got to thinking about exactly when I became a fan of bluegrass. Admittedly, I'd been a bit of a musical nomad for most of my life. I was constantly changing my mind as to what I liked best. One week I'd be rolling down Cherry Road bumping to "Get Buck" by Young Buck and the next I'd be sitting on the roof of my house, staring at the sky and listening to YoYo Ma play Bach's Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major. No doubt this general lack of direction was completely indicative of the high school search for one's self, but I digress. I think that my musical tastes began to take serious roots in blues and rock when I was a freshmen in college, living in Byrnes 10D6 with Jeff Zimmerman. Then, all of a sudden, Jeff's sister was driving us home for fall break. We'd gotten through all of the obligatory conversation that is required between a senior girl and the two freshmen guys in the back seat, so she decided to play some music. What burst forth from the speakers of that mid 90's Jeep Grand Cherokee was the most interesting sounding music I'd ever heard. It sounded like country, but more real; more visceral. I didn't know it at the time, but I was listening to the song "November Blue" by the Avett Brothers.

The Avett Brothers are one of those unique bands that can, on an album, seamlessly go from a ballad about bygone romances to a wailing, foot stomping ode to the joys of country life. The Concord, NC natives are also renowned for putting on some of the most electrifying live performances around these days. They have a great sound. It's like the alternative country of the early 90's like Drive By Truckers, Son Volt and Whiskeytown fused with renaissance string bands like Old Crow Medicine Show and Yonder Mountain String Band. The great thing about the Avett Brothers is that they've got a song for any mood that you're in. Go ahead, try me. Melancholy? Try "I and Love and You." Whimsical? Give "Kick Drum Heart" a listen. Feeling philosophical? "Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise" is for you.

I sat down and listened to the album "Country Was." This ultimately led to me sitting around and listening to several other albums including "I and Love and You" and "Emotionalism." It'd be folly for me to attempt to provide one favorite song, so I'll give you a few.