The Second Gleam

The Second Gleam is the most recent release from Southern punk-bluegrass group, the Avett Brothers.

"Tear Down the House" starts off the album, and gives the listener a taste of what they're in for. It is a beautiful song about a man reflecting on how nothing lasts forever. He laments this as well as his own mortality in the wonderful voice of Seth Avett. This song features the banjo playing of Scott Avett prominently, and underscores the fact that Bob Crawford's bass playing is completely absent from the album.

"Black, Blue" is a great song about a man who comes to grips with his loneliness. The lyrics spell out how he feels about losing the one he loves to another, and not being able to find someone new. I felt both a sense of connection with the song, but also empathy for the singer.

"Souls Like the Wheels" is an upbeat tune about the changes in life and adjusting to people in one's life changing. The guitar line in this song is incredible. The interludes between verses were my absolute favorite parts of the song. In my opinion, the lyrics are only secondary in this song.

I would recommend this album to anyone who likes folk, bluegrass or country music. This album is an example of what Southern music will sound like in the future, and in my opinion, it sounds pretty good.