The Avett Brothers have come a long way since their banjo-laden North Carolina bluegrass beginnings and their newest album, “True Sadness,” affirms that itap unlikely they’ll ever return to those roots.
In their ninth full length studio album slotted for release on June 24, the band experiments with new sounds while integrating familiar folk-rock elements under the watchful eye of longtime producer Rick Rubin (who produced their breakthrough album, “I and Love and You,” in 2009 and their last album, 2013’s “Magpie And The Dandelion”).
One of the biggest changes that came with the production of “True Sadness” was structured writing and recording sessions, . From postpartum depression to new love to divorce, they drew upon their life experiences in the last three years for lyrics. While the lyrics come from a raw place, acoustic instrumentals are smoothly woven together with EDM beats thanks to Rubin’s practiced hand — but they’re almost too pretty. With these new stylistic additions, the band seems to have said their goodbyes to the rough edges of their earlier folk-driven days for good.
In the opening track, “Ain’t No Man,” stomping and clapping beats drive the lively bass line and vocals. Itap a good first taste of how beat-driven “True Sadness” is, without sacrificing elements of the band’s earlier sounds. “You Are Mine” and “Satan Pulls The Strings” feature new fancier electronic sounds, the latter working in a frenzied set of banjo instrumentals on top of the beat.
Longtime fans might have to give these tracks one or two listens to get used to the style change, but if nothing else, innovation is always a welcome change in folk rock. For those partial to the band’s acoustic numbers (think “” from “Magpie And The Dandelion”), there’s “No Hard Feelings,” a slow, sweet ballad that crescendos skillfully into a lush set of harmonies. “Fisher Road To Hollywood” a much-appreciated easy listen, allows Seth and Scottap vocals to shine. The album closes with “May It Last,” a fittingly dramatic orchestral tune with a lazy, waltzy tempo.
For a band as old as the Avett Brothers are, maintaining direction when trying new styles and sounds in their music is important, and takes quite a bit of dexterity. The band demonstrated their genre-crossing writing abilities on their second full-length album, “A Carolina Jubilee,” in 2004, so itap satisfying to see innovative work from them 12 years later that fits neatly into their discography without being lost. What would be more satisfying, though, is a return to the grittier, raw folk sounds that put them on the map almost a decade ago.
