Customer Reviews

Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Every music lover has those moments of transcendance when the song or album that they are listening to just jumps out and strikes them like a bolt of lightening. Some of mine include hearing the Kinks YOU REALLY GOT ME for the first time, watching Rick Danko sing IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE in THE LAST WALTZ, Elvis Costello's MY AIM IS TRUE, the first VIOLENT FEMMES album and a handfull of other moments as well. I can now add listening to this album for the first time to the list.

This is real music made by people interested in expressing themselves rather than trying to get fame and fortune. It's honest and timeless. These songs could just have easily been written in 1906 as 2006. What makes it special is the passion, sweat and humor that these guys pour into their performances. I may hear a better album this year, but I doubt it.

The music of the Avett Brothers takes old time influences like blugrass, gospel and folk, then injects it with an energy derived from punk rock or AC/DC. They may upset purists by playing this music without finesse and respect that purists always seem to expect, but so be it. All the more fun for the rest of us.

From the manic opener TALK OF INDOLENCE through the closing lullabye of FOUR THEIVES GONE, the band display a great lyrical touch on ballads like THE FAMOUS FLOWER OF MANHATTAN and THE LOWERING, as well as creating a fun head of steam on upbeat tunes like THE FALL and COLORSHOW. The lyrics are great, the vocals raw, rough and beautiful, and the playing full of spirit and feeling. There is not a misstep on the whole record.

If you are a music lover who's tastes lie outside the boundries of popular music (c. 2006), don't hesitate to investigate FOUR THEIVES GONE at once. This is the real deal.

Close your eyes and try to imagine the musical dynamics of the Beatles "White Album" but played by a trio using bluegrass instruments. Try to imagine the Clash's distant cousin from North Carolina stomping away on the porch of a mountain cottage. Think of the most heart-wrenching Hank Williams song and place it in present day Manhattan. The truth is, you can't really imagine how any of these odd combinations might sound, but wouldn't it be neat if you could? Well, there's no need to imagine. All you have to do is buy "Four Thieves Gone" and strap yourself in for a musical ride that is sure to enrich even the richest of cd collections. Each song is its own unique experience, from the frantic screaming and instrument-banging in the opening song "Talk on Idolence" to the haunting and stratospheric harmonies of the second track "Pretty Girl from Feltre" the Avetts show their mastery of songwriting and proficiency of capturing live energy in a recording. "Colorshow" is a hard hitting, piano driven, fist pumping anthem; "Pretend Love" is a biting tongue-in-cheek 1950s throwback; "Four Thieves Gone" a lullaby. Every other song in between has its own story to tell, its own vocabulary, its own point of view. What holds the myriad stories together is the committed instrumentation of acoustic guitar, banjo, upright bass and a spattering of drums; vocal capabilities that can both caress a lover and rip through a brick wall; and an intense, honest energy that brings to mind everything great about life (even the pain of death).

Yes, no recording can capture the feel of their live performances (especially outdoor performances) but this CD is nothing less than classic. Almost every song is memorable as the more you listen to it, the more and more you come to appreciate just what this CD accomplishes. It is very difficult to pin down their sound (they won't do it), but I would describe it as a mix of punk rock and folk. They are now officially my favorite group and this is my favorite CD of theirs.

I heard the song "Colorshow" on college radio and had to sing it to the deejay to figure out the artist. It was worth my humiliation! I spend alot of time listening to music and very much appreciate finding 'new' artists with great talents. This is one such band. My music tastes range greatly from Nina Simone to Mozart to Guns and Roses to Outkast,Ben Folds,FooFighters,and the Beatles. If you love originality in lyrics and musical arrangement - songs with heart, passion, and the ability to groove your soul you must add this to your collection.

I just baught this album 2 days ago, and it has not left my cd player or my mind. This is the best album iv'e heard in years. It is very hard to capture the magic these guys produce with words, but ill give it my best shot...Imagine an indie rock band, a folk band, and a pop band playing songs on bluegrass instraments making songs that make you want to stomp your foot so hard it could go through the floor. Thats what this CD does to you..you will fall in love with this album and this band after the first listen. And if you think this is good, you should see them live sometime...Its even better. Do yourself a favor, buy this album and see these guys live...theyll change your life.

This is a great CD. It has everything you won't find in the typical music of today. It's honest, raw, and melodic. Whether it's the banjo and guitar picking, the duel harmonicas, the wonderful vocal harmonies, or the poignant lyrics, this album has a lot to offer. I highly recommend their other albums as well. They have a sound that really speaks to the archetypal memories of my southern roots.
Also, don't miss a chance to see the Avett Brothers live. They bring an energy to thier shows that's rare to see.

While not as playful as their previous cd, Mignonette, this is still an awesome listen. The lyric writing is still just as intelligent and heartbreaking..."Famous Flower of Manhattan" is superb thanks in part to the emotionally crisp vocals. The brothers have really captured the impressive quality of their voices here more than what was "shown" to us on Mignonette. And, of course, there's still a bevy of songs to whoop and holler to..."Talk of Indolence" is phenomenal! If you really like Beck's Sea Change, then I think you would find this cd to be a fitting companion.

I work for a well known music club and have to deal with crap shows 3-4 days a week, and am about as jaded as they come, but these guys blew my face off. The album is great in your bedroom, but they need to be seen live. It will level you.

Just drove over 13 hours to see these guys in Mass. and Veromont. The cds are all great, but you MUST see them live to truly appreciate what they are all about. Latch onto the purity of this group NOW.

I have seen these guys 4 times live and their show just gets better. They sing a lot of songs from this album and I have to say I love every one of them. "Four Theives Gone" is my favorite. Enjoy the CD, it is their best and go see them live while you can still afford it.