Avett Brothers Announce Live Vol. Four

THE AVETT BROTHERS announce their new live album, Live, Vol. Four [American Recordings/Republic Records], out Friday, December 18, 2015.

The album is available for pre-order HERE.

Live, Vol. Four continues a long tradition of official concert releases for the Grammy Award-nominated North Carolina alternative folk collective that began with 2002’s Live at the Double Door Inn. It captures last year’s New Year’s Eve concert where they performed to a packed crowd in Raleigh, NC at PNC Arena on a CD and DVD combo package as well as a special edition vinyl. Every fan who orders vinyl will receive a digital download of the album during release week- vinyl to be available in early 2016.

The live album boasts performances of two brand new songs by THE AVETT BROTHERS. The set opens up with “Satan Pulls The Strings,” while they include “Rejects in the Attic” halfway through the show. The entire track listing is revealed below.

On Live, Vol. Four, Seth Avett says “The energy of this show is undeniably positive and uniquely North Carolinian…I often had to remind myself that we were singing to the audience and not the other way around...there’s nothing like celebrating in an arena filled with friends and neighbors.”

Earlier this year, THE AVETT BROTHERS supported The Rolling Stones for the first time when the Zip Code Tour rolled through Raleigh. They also embarked on a massive summer tour. Right now, the group is hard at work on their ninth full-length studio album, due out in 2016.

During 2009, THE AVETT BROTHERS made mainstream waves with their lauded major label debut, I and Love and You. It landed at #16 on the Billboard Top 200 and garnered unanimous critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Paste, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Time, who even dubbed it one of Top 10 albums of the year. 2012 saw The Carpenter hit #4 on the Billboard Top 200—their highest bow to date—while People, USA Today, and American Songwriter lauded the album. The group graced the stage of Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! twice in merely a few months' time. During the second performance, they invited the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra along to pay homage to Brooklyn with "I and Love and You" as personally requested by Mr. Kimmel. Their eighth studio album, Magpie and the Dandelion, went on to debut at #5 on the Billboard Top 200, while they performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman as well as joining legendary Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell for a rapturous Pearl Jam tribute on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. A string of sold out shows followed as the boys continue to dream up their next step.
                                                                                                                                            
TRACKLISTING:
1. Satan Pulls the Strings
2. Laundry Room
3. Another is Waiting
4. Shame
5. Kick Drum Heart
6. Rejects in the Attic
7. Ten Thousand Words
8. Talk On Indolence
9. Auld Lang Syne
10. The Boys are Back in Town
11. I and Love and You
12. Slight Figure of Speech
13. Happy Trails

For all things The Avett Brothers:
http://www.theavettbrothers.com/

CD Review: Pop Evil - Up

It’s not really a secret that I am biased when it comes to Pop Evil. I’ve been a fan of the band since their beginning. I am one of the proud few who saw them perform with both original guitarist Tony Greve and original drummer Dylan Allison. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting most of the band members and I’ve written glowing reviews for each of their previous albums. It is obvious that I am a huge fan.

And it is being such a fan that makes me a harder critic on this band then I would be on others. I expect more from my favorites and I expect them to deliver their best with every single effort. Thankfully, with Pop Evil, their best is all they know how to give. Every album this group releases is better than the previous and once again, Pop Evil’s latest disc just so happens to be their best disc.

With their last release, Onyx, Pop Evil was at a dark period in their career and also at a crossroads. There was a chip on their shoulder as they felt they had something to prove. This time around the band is much more comfortable in their own skin. They have come to the end of their journey of discovery. And in finding who they truly are, they have delivered a masterpiece.

The band has evolved over the years and the evolution is evident on Up. Leigh Kakaty’s voice sounds more magnificent than ever before. Stronger, harder, and more soul sweeping, Kakaty does some of his best work for this album. Matt DiRito was able to show off his songwriting abilities with authority. He has more prominence on this record including a nice bass intro groove on “If Only For Now” and “Lux,” as well as an exceptional, albeit short, instrumental in “…” (Yes, that is the actual name of the song). And Nick Fueling really shines. No longer in the shadow of Tony Greve, and no longer in doubt amongst the fans, Fueling shows that he is exceptional in his own way.

Lead track “Footsteps” gets Up started on a high note. A mid-tempo rocker with life, “Footsteps” is not the hardest album opener that Pop Evil has ever recorded, but it is the perfect opener for Up. The eerie, dark opening guitar notes immediately let the listener know that this is an all new, all different Pop Evil. That message is great news, because this version of Pop Evil is the best one yet. The anthem chanting chorus of “I take these footsteps, go higher! Go higher!” will create a magnificent sing along in concert.

“Take It All” is not only the best song on Up, it just may be the best song that Pop evil has ever recorded. The music is extremely powerful, the lyrics make a statement, and the overall intensity is extraordinary. “Take It All” is hard rock with an edge. This is a song that will hook the listener on first play.  And while the song is short, it packs quite the punch. Heavy guitars, growling, demanding vocals, and a perfect rhythm section solidify “Take It All.” This song is pure ecstasy for the ears and a finer Pop Evil song is hard to come by.

Rhythmic, soothing, peaceful, and brilliant, “If Only For Now” is the first ballad on Up and it is a tremendous song. This work of art showcases all of the extreme effort the band has put into honing their song crafting skills. A perfect blend of bass, acoustic, and electric guitars highlight this lovely ballad. The poetic lyrics paint a perfect picture and Kakaty’s voice is akin to a cool gentle rain on a warm summer afternoon ---refreshing and enjoyable. While previous Pop Evil ballads have been much beloved by their fan base, “If Only For Now” has the makings of a mega-smash and may quickly become the fans favorite Pop Evil ballad.

Nick Fueling’s acoustic guitar picking on “Seattle Rain” is just brilliant and makes the song. “Seattle Rain” is the truest example of the evolution of Pop Evil. Starting with just Fueling’s acoustic guitar and Kakaty’s voice, this slow moving ballad captures the ear’s attention immediately. By the time the rest of the band kicks in on the second verse, it is painfully obvious that “Seattle Rain” is destined for greatness. The song is a pure masterpiece that shows the maturity of this tremendous group.  

Hard work combined with a level of comfort amongst all band members has really paid off for Pop Evil. Up is the greatest album the band has released in their career so far. And with each album they deliver, the band only gets stronger and more talented. The future for Pop Evil is as a bright as the sun, and I’m curious to see what amazing magnificence they deliver next. If they continue in the same vein they have already, Pop Evil is going to be the biggest band that ever existed before their career is over. They certainly are one of the most talented, and with Up they have released the greatest album of the summer.

Ryo’s Rating: 8.5 (out of 10)

Track List

Footsteps

Core

In Disarray

Take It All

Ghost of the Muskegon

If Only For Now

…

Ways To Get High

Lux

Vendetta

Dead In The Water

Seattle Rain

Til Kingdom Come

Pop Evil Debuts "Dead In The Water" From Forthcoming Album Up

Pop Evil has released another new song from their forthcoming LP, “Up.” This could be the best song the band has released from the new LP and my excitement for August 21^st has just increased ten-fold. It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Pop Evil. Their music is just amazing and I have been on board with this band since their debut, Lipstick On The Mirror. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting most of the band in person and I’ve witnessed several of their live performances. Pop Evil never disappoints and I have a feeling that Up is going to be their best release yet.

POP EVIL will release UP on August 21st via eOne Music. Digital pre-orders are available here and physical pre-orders are available via the band's official website.

You can hear the latest single, “Dead In The Water” at Blabbermouth (www.blabbermouth.net) and Pop Matters (www.popmatters.com). 

Never Shout Never Announces Exclusive Premiere Via Shazam Now

Alternative pop band Never Shout Never announced that they are offering an exclusive premiere of their new album, Black Cat, via the Shazam application on Apple or Android, right now.  Christofer Drew and the band's entire album stream can be unlocked when any Never Shout Never song is "shazamed" using the Shazam app. Black Cat was released globally by Warner Bros. Records this past Friday, August 7^th. Click here to pre-order Black Cat: http://smarturl.it/nsnblackcat. 

  

Never Shout Never performed on the Main Stage during this year's Vans Warped Tour. In addition, Drew hosted songwriting workshops in partnership with The Entertainment Institute during the tour. A limited number of fans scored access to the backstage event each day and had the chance to hear him talk about Black Cat in detail.