The Gleam

The Avett Brothers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 19, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ramseur Rec.
• ASIN: B000HIP4GA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,306 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #57 in Music > Country > Bluegrass > General

Editorial Reviews

'The Gleam': six new songs by two of the nation's premier songwriters. Scott and Seth Avett each bring three original compositions to this release, performances shared between the two, vocally and instrumentally. Clear in purpose, and calm in character, this is a brief, punctual work which enjoys the rare characteristic of normalcy and a lovely abnormality, a complexity and a simplicity, both hailing from the same human emotion.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Slow it down, November 24, 2006

By 

Matt Stephens - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gleam (Audio CD)

If any of you have ever seen the Avetts play live, you've heard songs like these (if you haven't then you need to go see them, seeing as they're one of the best live acts touring the country right now.) These are the songs that they play after string breaking intense tracks like "Talk on Indolence" and "Colorshow". They go so wild on some songs that sometimes they just need to slow down to get their breath back, and it's at these times you get to listen to just how beautiful and fragile their music can become. Most of these songs take me back to Carolina Jubilee with their similarities to Avett masterpieces like "November Blue" and "The Offering". "If It's The Beaches" may be the best song they've ever written. It is so heartbreakingly beautiful that it sort of shocks when you realize it's a breakup song. I'd have to say that a lot of first time fans that go to the Avett Bros' concerts go because of songs they've heard that display more of a punk twinge on bluegrass. They come back for songs like "When I Drink" and the songs they play like the ones on this album. If you've followed the Avett Brothers for a while now, I'd say this EP needs to be added to your collection immediately. It's one of their best. Short and sweet. If you haven't heard them before, pick this up and you're getting half of what they do. Buy their Live vol 2 for a better representation of what they do best. These gentlemen are revamping music in the south and I can't wait to see what they do next. True 5 star quality.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars more, please, September 21, 2006

By 

Chongo Avett (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gleam (Audio CD)

The Avett Brothers never cease to amaze. You think they're going too far out on the wrong limb, then they do a back flip and completely delight you with their talent and gift with music.

Let's go Bob-less and quiet for a six-song session focusing on the melodies and lyrics at the heart of all our music. Let's not try out half the songs on a regular basis in front of our live crowds. Let's see what happens.

What happens is brilliance caught in a studio. "Sanguine" is the perfect mellow lead-in, slow and thoughtful, catchy but just off-kilter enough to give it character. "When I Drink" is a nice little ditty in the style of "Pretend Love" and "Sixteen in July," except a bit more cheerful in tone if not in subject matter. "Yardsale" has yet to grow on me, but it's got story and pleasant enough melodies. "Backwards In Time" is a hit, catchy and fun, like "One Hit Wonder" channeling the Beatles' "When I'm Sixty-Four." "If It's The Beaches" is a powerful song of love slipping out of reach, beautiful in its tragedy. "Find My Love" almost echoes "Four Thieves Gone" in its chorus, but also has nice melodies and instrumentation throughout.

This album is mellow. If you love the Avetts, then you'll probably enjoy it. If you love the Avetts' harder songs and get a beer during the slow stuff, you'd probably be better off buying a pack of PBR. If you've never heard the Avetts, this probably isn't the disc to start off with unless you fancy Iron and Wine, Bright Eyes, or other lighter fare- try Mignonette or Four Thieves Gone, Carolina Jubilee if you can find it. Five-star product regardless.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Calm, January 3, 2007

By 

Cassi Patterson "Vagabondgirl007" (Davis, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gleam (Audio CD)

A gentler more soul searching Avett Brother recording."Oh man" you will think, as you are listening, "I have, I did, exactly....."
Scott and Seths song writing skills are never better. Anyone that can sing a song about a hangover that makes you want to cry....brilliance. Nevertheless, as lulling and melodic as the wonderful disc is, see them live. They turn even the most melancholy tune into a foot stomping, string breaking rabble rouser. I love these Brothers.