Customer Reviews
It is great 
2008-10-02
This album is much quieter than their last, but is just as thoughtful and melodic as ever.
Avett Bros talent shines throughout Second Gleam 
2008-09-20
Fell in love with this group listening to the Emotionalism. This EP is just as good. Murder In The City and Bella Donna are my personal favorites.
The Avett Brothers - The Second Gleam (EP) 
2008-09-05
The Second Gleam (2008, Ramseur) The Avett Brothers' fourth studio EP. **1/2
The Avett Brothers are a definitive college-esque band. Hippie circles love 'em and they've got enough spunk to attact even offended ears, but on The Second Gleam, the energy is lost. That in itself is not the problem. In fact, if anything, it shows maturity. However, the material is just downright dull from start to finish. In fact, only on "The Greatest Sum" do soulful vocals actually appear, as the rest of the EP is dominated with cliche remembrances of love, family, and death. To say it is bad is one thing; awful, certainly not. But what makes it bad is its own laziness, which is a cumulative would-be effort of simple rhythms and lyrics.
Just Listen - Repeatedly 2008-08-25
I am the Avett Brothers most avid disciple, so you're hearing nothing negative from me. The Second Gleam must be listened to repeatedly, it's like reading the Bible, you get something new from each song with each encounter. There's a finish to this CD that's satisfying in a different way than their first Gleam, and I love it too. It is not the rollicking footloose Avetts like in concert, it's the intropective soulful Avetts. Love them. Love the Second Gleam.
Amazing 2008-08-24
It seems to be a little more depressing than emotionalism. But these songs come from the heart. A must have for any avett fan.
+1/2 - Low-key, stripped-down acoustic country-folk 2008-08-22
The Avett Brothers release The Second Gleam; six new songs offered with the natural lyrical clarity and honest delivery that has become synonymous with their name. With this addition to their growing body of work, Scott and Seth Avett establish a series, while further separating their writing from the modern landscape of music, popular or otherwise. Following in the initial footsteps of the first Gleam recording, this second installment sings to the uncommon senses of the common man. The record walks calmly and powerfully among fragile and hard-learned themes of life and song, passing through loss, change, hope, death, dedication to family, late nights in the hospital, love as always and much more. At once plain and poetic, simple and complicated as those who will give their time to hear it, we find: The Second Gleam.
The Gleam P2 2008-08-11
As a rule I avoid sequels. I can name only a handful of movies, books or albums that have succeeded artistically as a "sequel". While THE GLEAM PTII, does not rate as high in my opinion as the original, it's still a pretty strong piece of work. The concepts of both albums are the same, Scott and Seth Avett, minus bassist Bob Crawford facing off solo with spare, acoustic ballads. The original GLEAM gets the nod mostly due to IF IT'S THE BEACHES; perhaps the Avett's shining moment on record. Still, PART II does deliver some first class material, especially the opener TEAR DOWN THE HOUSE.
The quiet tunes featured on both GLEAM sets are a far cry from the raucous intensity of the Avett's live shows, but these guys are such great songwriters that it's still some essential listening. It will be interesting to see where they go on their next album that will be produced by fellow bearded Svengali, Rick Rubin. In the meantime it will be fine with me to enjoy these amazing, honest, heartfelt performances.
The Gleam can burn 2008-07-24
The Avett Brothers opened a recent show in Bristol, TN with "Murder in the City." Scott Avett stood alone on stage with his guitar. The simple tune and plain lyrics proceeded to sear straight through me.
These guys play from the heart. You might expect such great musicians to add layers of technical complexity to their productions with successive albums. Not the Avett Brothers. They just continue to peel down the extras until all that is left is what you feel listening to them.
If these songs don't get to you, you haven't listened to them.
Just as bright as the first Gleam, maybe brighter, The Second Gleam shines again 2008-07-23
The Second Gleam shines again. Since I first read that this was coming, I've been trying to contain my anticipation and excitement for the new album. The Avett Brothers shine so well that words can scarcely express. The lyrics on the Second Gleam are deep, insightful and heart-felt. They combine perfectly with the finely crafted instrumental work.
Buy this EP now! You will be pleased!
