Timothy Seth Avett As Darling - IV

180-gram vinyl

The fourth solo album from The Avett Brothers' Seth Avett's solo project, Timothy Seth Avett as Darling, is aptly titled simply IV. All songs on the album were written and produced by Seth himself.

The Avett Brothers have received three Grammy nominations, including Best Americana Album (2017) for True Sadness and Best American Roots Performance (2017) for "Ain't No Man."

LETTER CONCERNING THE RECORD ‘IV’ AND A POST SCRIPT TO FANS

A lot can happen in twelve years. It is beyond probable (if not brutally unavoidable) that such a period of time could render a man nearly unrecognizable to his older self. I would not categorize the young man who made three records under the pen name ‘Darling’ (incidentally, me) as unrecognizable, but I can say perhaps that we are vaguely disassociated. Those 3 albums, written between 1999 and 2005 and recorded anywhere except a recording studio (the bulk being tracked in my bedroom and parents’ garage) follow the exceedingly lonesome course of a kid barely out of high school through a shaky introduction to manhood. They were recorded alone (with cheap microphones) composed alone (with expensive sentimentality), defined by loving befuddlement, and darkened by an all-consuming breakup. I look at them now with an appreciation for where I was, with no small measure of gratitude that I am no longer there. What has not changed however, is that there are still songs that come along which make sense in my mind as fitting only on a ‘Darling’ record. Truthfully, in the decade-plus that has passed since I last released a solo piece, there have been many songs of this nature. Consequently I have written, designed, edited, and put this record out many times in my mind. Inevitably, however, life would change and the conceptual direction would change with it. It is changing now as I write this. But after twelve birthdays, twelve New Year’s Eve’s, and twelve winters, I have a portrait I am compelled to commit to the canon of self-portraits.

I am no longer the kid with all that worry, that blaring hurt and rum-fueled uncertainty. I am somewhere else now. But I still sit in my bedroom, quietly following songs where they take me, using them to process what is happening in my life. I have often declared to myself, that I would not leave the ‘Darling’ moniker forever tied to what I now regard as a time of young (albeit sincere) melancholy. And while this fourth installment is by no means an offering of pure and bright optimism, it is a statement less heavy with heartache, and hopefully a bit more even-keeled in its manner - whatever the emotional narrative. More importantly, it is a honest glimpse into my story alone and a faithful rendition of what I believe to be a notable chapter.

Sincerely,

Timothy Seth Avett

 

1. disappointing you

2. should we move

3. samuel and the baler

4. songbird

5. weakness and a strength

6. faith undefined

7. your world

8. are you thinking of me

9. in these boots

10. my true story/a life to live

11. waiting for something to die

Be the first to write a review for this item OR just rate it