The Avett Brothers cautiously get political on new album
This article, The Avett Brothers cautiously get political on new album, originally appeared on CBSNews.com
Seth Avett admits the idea of making a record that takes a political stand is not one that appealed to him. "The last thing the world needs is another piece of sociopolitical commentary," the Avett Brothers frontman wrote to fans in July.
"Closer Than Together," the Avett Brothers' 10th album, wasn't intended to be a commentary on the political landscape.
"We did, however, make an album that is obviously informed by what is happening now on a grander scale all around us," Avett wrote, before coming around to the admission that just maybe "Closer" has some elements of political commentary.
"The Avett Brothers will probably never make a sociopolitical record. But if we did, it might sound something like this," he said.
Brothers Scott and Seth Avett, bassist Bob Crawford and cellist Joe Kwon, who make up the Americana group, are best known for their poignant melodies and lyrics that evoke their everyday lives. Their newest album — which came out Friday — uses this approach to address topics pulled straight from the headlines.
Three of the songs on "Closer Than Together" could easily be seen as editorials on America: "Bang Bang" pushes back against the normalization of excessive violence in American culture; "New Woman's World" imagines women recovering a planet wrecked by men; "We Americans" confronts the nation's ugliest moments in history through song-as-essay.
The Avett Brothers have spent the last 20 years collecting Grammy nominations, touring the world and cultivating a devoted following while refining their sound. "Closer Than Together" is their fifth collaboration with famed music producer Rick Rubin, and was released by American/Republic Records.
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