Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions

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ALBUM INFORMATION
EDITOR'S PICK

Total Tracks: 17   Total Length: 73:50

eMusic Review

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Peter Blackstock

eMusic Contributor

12.01.06
String band stars combine punk rock energy with old-time instrumentation.
Label: Ramseur Records / Thirty Tigers

The fastest-rising stars on the string band scene, this North Carolina trio — brothers Seth and Scott Avett plus their friend Bob Crawford — combines classic old-time instrumentation (banjo, guitar, upright bass) with the energy of full-on punk rock. It's not so much the string picking or the wild abandon that stands out the most, though. Whether playing tag team on "Distraction #74" or incorporating elements of rap in "Talk On Indolence" or harmonizing sweetly on "40 East," the Avetts distinguish themselves most prominently via their voices.

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Folk with Attitude and Energy

kevharb

This album does a good job of replicating the energy and abandon of the Avett Brothers' live performances. If you ever get the chance to see them in concert, do so. It's like Elvis and Little Richard had a band full of love children who grew up to play folk music like they were punk rockers.

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Very Good Album

FredEd

The songs are quite good and the singing and musicianship are excellent. I now look forward to more music by the Avett Brothers

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Entertaining and honest

EMUSIC-01D6510A

Great album. You have to love an album and a group that sings "I'm a little nervous 'bout what you'll think when you see me in my swimming trunks." (Talk on Indolence)Who hasn't felt that? Only the Avett Brothers sing about it. This album has slow tempos, fast tempos, and gut-screaming honesty. Again, what's not to love?

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Balanced Diet

dustinjames

This album is fantastic. I used to fret listening to albums more than 12 songs long, but this one grew on me. Their balance between energetic crowd pleasers and rich ballads made me a fan of this album. While their newer releases, including Gleam II and Emotionalism, are haunting, sobering, and hooky collections, Four Theives is more raw: tearing at my heart and then soothing it. Fiber for the soul.

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Love the band, but this isn't my favorite album

nicandry

I recently saw the Avett Brothers and they blew me away! They are incredible musicians and have great voices. For some reason, I don't love this album. It's good, just not great. My favorite songs on this album are the first track and track #13. Check them out. I'd get emotionalism if you want a really great album!

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This album rocks

hexjones

This is the Avett Brothers that I love. This is one of my favorite albums ever. They really carve out their own sound here and aren't trying to sound country/rock/bluegrass/whatever.They are just the Avetts Bros. The instruments sound like they are being played with conviction and the recording quality is great.

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Avett Thropugh and Through

Ruhl

I was first introduced to the Avetts with Emotionalism and fell in love. They genuinely care for their music and it shows in the tracks. Although I do not particularly care as much for this album as Emotionalism, I cannot deny that it is still wonderful to listen to the always energetic and wonderful Avett Brothers. Still a 5 star album simply because they put their all into it!

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Creative, funny, intense

CGuido

One of the best live bands you can ever see gets close to capturing their show on this record: an intense blend of country, folk, and rock with plenty of honesty and comedy. They tend to avoid simple verse-chorus-verse setups, which I like. The sound is truly unique, and the lyrics would keep anyone coming back even if the music didn't sound so great. An excellent spin. ps The songs are very good even after the first four tracks.

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bloody cuticles

brodiebra

these boys play so hard and swimmingly, it's completely absorbing for the suggestible listener. it'll change the way you thought strings were meant to be plucked

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Decent and worth a listen

Billsen

Some of this reminds me of Langhorne Slim, but a few tracks do drag a bit. Oh, and a note to the other reviewer - the "emusic" review is licensed from allmusic.com - so direct your ire towards them.

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They Say All Media Guide

The first two cuts on the Avett Brothers’ Four Thieves Gone, “Talk of Indolence” and “Pretty Girl from Feltre,” reveal that the brothers’ style of folk (with lots of other stuff thrown into the mix) is intriguingly left of center. And while some listeners may be somewhat tired of depressed college types who sing, “Be loud, let your colors show…try to keep the madness low” in a nasal drone, they’re probably not used to hearing the singer backed by kitchen-sink arrangements that include piano, harmonica, and shouting that stands in for background singing. On “Distraction #74″ the band verves in an entirely different direction, doing its best impression of the basement-era Band, updated for the post-millennium. As the album moves on to tracks like “Sixteen in July,” “Left on Laura, Left on Lisa,” and “A Lover Like You,” the Avett Brothers — Scott Avett, Seth Avett, and Bob Crawford — continue to make good music, but these songs lack the raw energy of the first four tracks. Things pick up again on the jumpy “Matrimony,” and “Pretend Love” has a lovely, gentle feel about it, but the songs, though quite good, fail to match the intensity of the openers. One feels, in the end, that Four Thieves Gone, at nearly 74 minutes, is just too darn long. Nonetheless, the Avett Brothers’ style is much fresher and more fun than the average folk or alternative country group’s, and is well worth checking out for those tired of the same old, same old. – Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

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Activity

  • 02.08.12 just a few tickets remaining for Baton Rouge!! don't miss it!
  • 02.07.12 Perfect Album for Valentine's Day! Emotionalism available for $7.99!! http://t.co/K0tbQ4j2
  • 01.19.12 TUNE in tonight! We're on @Late Night With Jimmy Fallon!! Check your local listings..
  • 01.09.12 New Album News! http://t.co/zHFqpc0T
  • 01.05.12 “@paper_music: Speak of Love is up on iTunes. http://t.co/gdwR0b9x ” a song by Mike Marsh. Buy the tune. Help fight cancer.
  • 12.13.11 Tune in TONIGHT! December 13th at 9/8 central to watch The Avett Brothers on CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR 2011!! #CMTAOTY
  • 12.10.11 Watch a live stream of @BobDylan's "One Too Many Mornings" by Johnny Cash & @theavettbros for #Amnesty Int'l. http://t.co/tfiqTzf1
  • 12.02.11 The perfect @theavettbros gift! Get "I and Love and You" (Limited Deluxe Box Set) for only $49.99 http://t.co/ccQxXLbL
  • 11.25.11 From 10-11AM EST only, the limited edition "I And Love And You" Box Set is on sale for $49.99. http://t.co/rLzEHzsZ #BlackFriday
  • 11.21.11 BLACK FRIDAY! ALL merchandise in the store is 30% off! Friday ONLY! new merchandise added that has only been available at shows!!
  • 11.19.11 Tickets released for tonights sold out show in Milwaukee at the Rverside Theater call the theater box office for more info.
  • 11.18.11 CMT announced the Artists of the Year performers & presenters including @theavettbros! #CMTAOTY
  • 11.08.11 hey blacksburg, va! We're coming to Virginia Tech on Nov 15 and it WILL sell out!! Get your tickets today!!
  • 10.25.11 40 tickets remain for the show tonight at SIU. Carbondale, IL
  • 10.25.11 this week! emotionalism available for 7.99 on iTunes! http://t.co/AozE6gy4
  • 10.14.11 HUGE thanks to the @Americana Music Association -- We were honored with DUO/GROUP of the year last night at the Awards!!
  • 10.13.11 Tune in tonight to NPR.org or Sirius Outlaw Country for our performance at the Americana Music Association Awards.
  • 10.13.11 Avett Brother's cellist @joekwon80 on @splendidtable tomorrow 10/14. Listen in online http://t.co/W0vIAwzO
  • 10.11.11 today. noon eastern.n(NOW) there will be a 9 Autographed Pink Emotionalism Vinyl available in the store. GO! http://t.co/dPUcz0oo
  • 10.08.11 Our good Nicole Atkins is offering a free download of her new live ep on her website. Go check it out! http://t.co/Rd1Fvjat