The Avett Brothers

Before this album, this project was nothing more than a basement hobby while the Avett brothers concentrated on their rock band Nemo. And yet the brothers' first record sounds fully realized. The trio is confident, knowing exactly what they're all about: a tender, lyrical fusion of country folk, post-modern vaudeville and emo pop. After recording gems like "Jenny and the Summer Day" and "Closing Night" for Country Was, the Avetts obviously knew ditching Nemo was the right thing to do.