I used to DJ for my university’s radio station. While I had consistently bad time slots (think 3-5AM) and consistently crazy callers (threatening to kill me, or asking me to describe my body to them), I had a blast.

Why you ask?

WRUW has an amazing, amazing record library. Over 100,000 CD’s. At least twice that in records. I was in musical heaven. The on-air room also had amazing speakers, and frequently I used my time slot as an opportunity to have a solo dance party to my most current favorite songs.

In the on air room there was a shelf of new music, and you got brownie points if you played new music on your show. I constantly poured through the new music, gleeful at the possibilities.

One band that I found from this new music shelf is The Avett Brothers.

Initially I was skeptical. The description on the front of the album mentioned punk inspired bluegrass. The very concept blew my mind. Being a good little musical trollop, though, I gave it a whirl and played the recommended track “Talk on Indolence“.

From that moment on I was hooked. At least with that song.

Some years later I was rocking out to “Talk on Indolence” when I realized I had never really made it past that song. It sounds silly, but even though I adore “Talk on Indolence”, I never moved on to test other songs on the album.

Some years later was actually this year, and forward I charged into the heart of “Four Thieves Gone: The Robinsville Sessions“.

And it was good.

Oh, oh so good.

If this is what Bluegrass is like, sign me up. The album is fantastic. Mostly high-energy without being goofy. Folksy and acoustic without seeming unprofessional. The lyrics are great, the singing even better, and most of the melodies could prompt very pleasing sing-a-longs if one were at the proper state of inebriation.

Even their slow songs are very heartfelt and sincere, lacking any hoakiness that I might expect from a similar song from a different band.

What to Expect?

Bluegrass that will rock your face off with sheer awesomeness.

What to take away?

The Avett Brothers are a Bluegrass band that is easily palatable for those who have little to no interest in Bluegrass. And if you’re afraid of twang in your music, relax. It’s not present.

What drink to pair it with?

Moonshine. Or homemade beer. and lots of it.

Favorite song?

“Talk on Indolence” still ranks pretty highly, but “Distraction #74” is also particularly awesome.