Mignonette

I was first switched-on to the Avett brothers when I came across a youtube video of Scott and Seth "busking" Salvation Song in Cologne, Germany. That video and song were the reasons I sought out this album, and I have not been disappointed.Full of energy and passion coupled with some great vocal harmonies and musicianship. I have since added more of their albums to my collection.

Brilliant

This is the second album by the Brothers from Concord, North Carolina. It is a massively engaging listen, has a spirit of raucous energy plus a rawness and rough edge which adds to its charm. As always it is full of songs that you would give you right hand to have written and at 74 minutes running time if you cant find something in here to like then you should be making an immediate phone call to your local Frazier Crane.Start with the two versions of "Swept Away" on Mignonette which act as perfect counterpoint to one another and showcase the special skills of the Scott and Seth Avett. The "sentimental" version of Swept Away is a plaintive country ballad infused in addition with the lovely voice of Bonnie Avett, the main version is a banjo led bluegrass song that displays fine harmonies and the brothers pop sensibilities. "Is banjo the new black" someone has recently asked? Indeed with with bands like Mumford and Sons huge success albeit through the route of English folk rock there may be something in this.Other songs worth checking out on this excellent album are the joyous "At the beach", the hectic country call and return song "Nothing short of thankful", the yearning "Salvation Song" and the brilliant "Please pardon yourself". Mignonette also includes further examples of a signature theme of the Avett's namely "Pretty Girls" songs. This time its "at the Airport" (a gorgeous ballad) and "From the Cedarline". The best however is to be found on Emotionalism "Pretty Girl from Chile" which has has more changes than Bohemian Rhapsody.The Avett's are no mere "Johnnie come lately's", the band has toured the States constantly for over ten years and and are starting to graduate to very large venues. When you see them live in concert they give 500% and must be a nightmare for roadies as strings are broken everywhere and you feel exhausted watching them. Check them out doing a version of Laundry Room on the internet from the latest album "I and love and you". A religious style conversion awaits!