The Avett Brothers – True Sadness
Review by Haley Black
Ironic and oddly upbeat, True Sadness is a parody of emotional struggles, as well as life’s unpleasantries. Refreshing compositions float behind the weight of heavy lyrics, tackling subjects of depression, skepticism of God, divorce and even death. The Avett Brothers have written an honest account of difficult times when the only viable solution is to laugh and keep moving forward despite an overwhelming feeling of weariness.
“Mama, I Don’t Believe” and “No Hard Feelings” stay true to the Avett Brother’s signature folk sound, integrated with more experimental rock and blues-infused tracks. Enlightening truth speaks through in the chorus of “No Hard Feelings,” singing, “Lord knows they haven’t done much good for anyone,” and recounts existential revelations of the peace that one should feel at the end of their life if they choose to free themselves from the bondage of negative feelings and embrace the bad times that come alongside the good.
Black humor saturates “Smithsonian,” which juxtaposes lyrics both playful and morbid: “Life ain’t forever and lunch isn’t free.” The only reasonable reaction is to spit out a quick laugh and nod because of the painful honesty such as the line, “Loved ones will break your heart with or without you.” There is an allusion to the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, questioning if Romeo would have made the same decisions if he would have been aware of the consequences. Sadness, although afflictive, is a strangely comfortable place to stay.
“Satan Pulls The Strings,” more experimental and foreign, enters a place of inner turmoil and darkness; a place where there is a lack of control and a supernatural feeling of self-destruction. While catchy, it also releases an uneasiness brought forth with thick bass lines and erratic background vocals, resembling negativ voices that can easily cloud a person’s judgments.
Perhaps one of the most upbeat songs, the album’s title track suggests a somber tale of depression, but is surprisingly filled with hope, accepting that though the tunnel may be dark, it is perfectly fine to welcome the inevitable sadness that life deals out as long as you have the courage to continue walking. “Just know the kingdom of God is within you even though the battle is bound to continue,” ends the song on a positive note, suggesting that sadness is not as meaningless as it appears.
True Sadness incorporates variety and consistency, however, “May It Last” sums up the album on an off note. Musically, it is darkly cinematic and disrupts the flow of the overall composition. This new side of the Avett Brothers, especially displayed in “Ain’t No Man,” is just the fresh twist that the band needed to bait and hook old fans and new and displays an impressive capability to create something contemporary and possibly out of their comfort zones without selling out.
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Recommended Tracks: “No Hard Feelings” and “Divorce Separation Blues”
