Avett Brothers

A band consisting of Seth Avett, Scott Avett, Bob Crawford, Joe Kwon, and Jacob Edwards that deserve a genre of their own. With Scott’s crazy improvisational banjo licks filling the openings between the poetic lyrics and Seth’s inventive guitar rhythm they have truly earned their 2013 Grammy nomination for album of the year (The Carpenter).

Scott and Seth have played together every since they were children and have made their musical evolution clear throughout their series of seven albums and four EP’s that have an always changing style. From their first EP (The Avett Bros.) in 2000 all the way to their most recent album (The Carpenter) in 2012.

Their best album in my opinion would be Emotionalism which consists of hits such as “Die Die Die”, “Paranoia in B-Flat Major” and “I Would Be Sad” which is one of my personal favorites.

Their most recent album The Carpenter is a close second, for my favorite Avett Brothers albums. With songs like “The Once and Future Carpenter”, “Live and Die”, and “Paul Newman vs. The Demons” which demonstrates their ability to lean more towards the rock spectrum of music.

Songs such as “Paranoia in B-Flat”, and “Live and Die” are prime examples of Scott’s crazy improvisational banjo playing style which seem to have no order or pattern throughout it but couldn’t fit any better

Paranoia in B flat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRy2AURiEQo

Live and Die:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5CMDmxtpbc

 

If you are familiar with reading guitar, banjo, bass or any other form of tablature follow the link below to see for yourself the wild banjo picking used in Live and Die:

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0150/5868/files/LiveAndDieBanjoTab.pdf?383

 

Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons are a very popular band consisting of Marcus Mumford (vocals, guitar, mandolin), Winston Marshall (banjo, Dobro), Ben Lovett (keyboard, and accordion), and Ted Dwayne (bass).

They have released two albums and nine eps so far and have only been together since December of 2007. Their first album "Sigh No More" consists of 12 songs and has a slower tempo then their second album "Babel" which is up for Grammy's Album of the year at the moment. 

The change of style between Sigh No More and Babel is apparent. Babel is more Rock oriented than Sigh No More which is more towards a folk style. Both Babel and Sigh No More are great albums but in their own way. Sign No More has a better flow throughout the album but less hits, while Babel has more hits and less flow through the album. A bonus track on Babel is a cover of Simon and Garfunkels song the boxer and features Jerry Douglas on Dobro. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YAl-vZsswb4

 This along with the documentary "Big Easy Express" (a documentary of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Mumford & Sons on tour across the country) are great examples of talented musicians working together to create great music.

Between the release of these two albums Mumford and Sons worked with Laura Marling (member of a band Marcus and Ted were a part of before Mumford & Sons) and a band from India on The Dharohar Project.  This EP is a great example of a combination of different styles of music and culture. With an open mind for different music styles I believe many people would enjoy this four song extended play.

I have been trying to see Mumford and Sons live for a few years no with no luck. They sell out every show anywhere near my area in a matter of a couple days or even hours. 

Trampled By Turtles

 

Dave Simonett on guitar, Erik Berry on mandolin, Tim Saxhaug on bass, Ryan Young on fiddle, and Dave Carroll on banjo started a bluegrass band in 2003 with a name like no other. Releasing their first album in Songs From A Ghost Town in 2004 and their most recent album Stars and Satellites in 2012 with 4 additional albums in between they have created their own style of bluegrass that I personally cannot stop listening to.

 Dave Carroll their banjo player uses a unique, rarely seen style by using a guitar pick on a five string banjo instead of the traditional finger picks. He receives criticism from many older more traditional banjo players that believe the only way to play banjo is their way. Personally i believe having his own style makes it that much more great. By not following the beaten path he has found a sound,and style that he can call his own.


Wait so Long is a perfect example of the speed and talent possessed by the members of tbt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjdkc14-zwQ

I was lucky enough to get the oppurtunity to see Trampled by Turtles in Cleveland 3 months ago. They put a phenominal show on jumping between fast and slow songs through out the show. The audience was great and I couldnt ask for a better indoor venue. They performed at the beachland ballroom which is a smaller venue which gave me the oppurtunity to stand close to the stage and have a great view throughout the whole show. And I hope for another chance to see them perform live again.