When producing this
North Carolina folk-rock
band’s latest, producer Rick Ruben was likely
reminded of his work on the 1994 Tom Petty
album Wildflowers. Like Petty on Wildflowers,
the Brothers brilliantly blend rock intensity
with folk jangle, making timeless tunes
with memorable melodies. Bob Crawford
brings up the bottom, moving serious air
through his upright. His contributions are
at times stark and spare, leaving sonic space
for brothers Seth and Scott Avett to play
off each other. The Avetts have a knack for
lyrical elegance and harmonic style, and
their band, rounded out by cellist Joe Kwon,
seems to have mastered the art of framing
the Brothers’ work.