Inessentials: The Blog

Let me take this opportunity to plug one of my favorite bands of the moment. Since they are getting a lot of buzz right now from places like NPR Music and are back at SXSW, it’s time to give them their due. I’m talking about the gloriously folky, countrified rock of The Avett Brothers. They are some of the best songwriters out there right now, putting fascinating ideas into beautiful melodies. They write ballads you’ll be singing for days, and mix in the occasional punk rock breakdown.

I first discovered them about 2 years ago, but starting this fall they’ve been a frequent request in our house. For Nicole, they’ve gone from being “that ‘Die, Die, Die’ band” to quite possibly her favorite band. They’re near the top of the list of bands I most want to see live. (I was sick when they came to New Haven this fall, and we sadly didn’t see them. I won’t be sick next time.) Here’s a (disappointing) video of one of my (not disappointing) favorite songs.

And for a better sense of the whole band playing together, here’s another music video. (Be warned: this may lead to compulsively watching live videos of them on YouTube.)