Second Gleam (Dig) [EP]

The Avett Brothers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: Ramseur Rec.
• ASIN: B001AZI20Y
• Also Available in: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,912 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #34 in Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk > Alternative Folk
  • #60 in Music > Indie Music > Country > Alt-Country & Americana

Track Listings

1. Tear Down the House

2. Murder in the City

3. Bella Donna

4. The Greatest Sum

5. St. Joseph's

6. Souls Like the Wheels

Editorial Reviews

The Avett Brothers release The Second Gleam; six new songs offered with the natural lyrical clarity and honest delivery that has become synonymous with their name. With this addition to their growing body of work, Scott and Seth Avett establish a series, while further separating their writing from the modern landscape of music, popular or otherwise. Following in the initial footsteps of the first Gleam recording, this second installment sings to the uncommon senses of the common man. The record walks calmly and powerfully among fragile and hard-learned themes of life and song, passing through loss, change, hope, death, dedication to family, late nights in the hospital, love as always and much more. At once plain and poetic, simple and complicated as those who will give their time to hear it, we find: The Second Gleam.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars +1/2 - Low-key, stripped-down acoustic country-folk August 21, 2008

By hyperbolium

Format:Audio CD

As the Avett Brothers pack their bags for the big time of American Recordings and Rick Rubin, they've left this six-song EP as a capstone to their five years on the indie Ramseur label. Unlike the fuller, rock-inflected country-folk productions of last year's "Emotionalism," their latest is pared back to just the brothers, their guitars and a banjo. Bassist Bob Crawford is absent, the vocals are mostly solo and the lyrics are pushed up front, with instruments providing a setting rather than active elements of the songs. The result is more like a songwriter's circle than a studio recording, leaning more heavily on the tunes than the performances. The six songs (clocking in at just under 21 minutes) are thoughtful, direct and personal, covering themes of growing up and letting go, romantic desire, brotherly considerations of family, and some philosophical wonderings. The brothers finger-picking is particularly fetching on "Bella Donna," a song of innocent teenage longing that winningly brings to mind Alex Chilton's "Thirteen." The Avett's capture a frankness, in their writing, singing, playing and production that's startling in its quiet power. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2008 hyperbolium dot com]

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Gleam P2 August 11, 2008

By S. Finefrock VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

As a rule I avoid sequels. I can name only a handful of movies, books or albums that have succeeded artistically as a "sequel". While THE GLEAM PTII, does not rate as high in my opinion as the original, it's still a pretty strong piece of work. The concepts of both albums are the same, Scott and Seth Avett, minus bassist Bob Crawford facing off solo with spare, acoustic ballads. The original GLEAM gets the nod mostly due to IF IT'S THE BEACHES; perhaps the Avett's shining moment on record. Still, PART II does deliver some first class material, especially the opener TEAR DOWN THE HOUSE.

The quiet tunes featured on both GLEAM sets are a far cry from the raucous intensity of the Avett's live shows, but these guys are such great songwriters that it's still some essential listening. It will be interesting to see where they go on their next album that will be produced by fellow bearded Svengali, Rick Rubin. In the meantime it will be fine with me to enjoy these amazing, honest, heartfelt performances.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars so good March 17, 2011

By soundofthinking

Format:MP3 Music

The Avett Brothers take it down a notch with this one, with a more acoustic sound. Excellent listen though, my personal favorite. Headlining Suwannee Springfest this year, along with many other fantastic artists.