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Magpie and the Dandelion
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Magpie and the Dandelion Image
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

  • Summary: Recorded and produced by Rick Rubin at the same sessions as 2012's The Carpenter, the eighth release for the folk rock band is said to be more of a "youthful wonder" feel.
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Top Track

Morning Song
Hurt so bad You don't come around here anymore Worse than that Nothing's really helping I've been thinking 'bout drinking again It's alright If you... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Mojo
    Dec 18, 2013
    80
    Filled with tearful ballads and ragged-trousered country, the Avetts' playing may not be the most technically accomplished but the feel they bring to Never Been Alive and Another Is Waiting is alone worth wading through their previously misfiring albums. [Jan 2014, p.96]
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  2. American Songwriter
    Oct 31, 2013
    80
    Magpie is chock full of tracks that show the Avett Brothers are (very wisely) growing their sound, while remaining true to their core principles and what listeners like about them to begin with.
  3. Under The Radar
    Nov 14, 2013
    75
    North Carolina's Avett Brothers have filled Magpie and the Dandelion with taut, unaffected verses that dredge the past, weigh damage against possibility, and seek emergence through selflessness and emotional responsibility.
  4. AllMusic
    Oct 14, 2013
    70
    Perhaps the Avetts are best when they run a little bit loose and ragged, letting the tempos push a little bit hard, allowing their harmonies to clash and happy to have their loose ends remain untied. Often, this means that the ballads are just a shade too tidy.
  5. Q Magazine
    Jan 7, 2014
    60
    Not quite as organic as they seem, their perfection lacks taste despite its polish. [Jan 2014, p.117]
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  6. Slant Magazine
    Oct 14, 2013
    60
    Too many edges have been sanded off the brothers' music, and whether the blame lies with Rubin's influence or the accelerated writing pace, the result is an album devoid of the band's usual charming lyrics and adroit melodies.
  7. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Nov 25, 2013
    40
    There are too many plodding ballads, sentimental on the piano and heavy on the cymbals.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. KPOD
    Oct 15, 2013
    9
    Very strong effort from the Avetts. Things are kicked off by the Alt-bluegrass Open Ended Life perfectly juxtaposed against the beautifulVery strong effort from the Avetts. Things are kicked off by the Alt-bluegrass Open Ended Life perfectly juxtaposed against the beautiful Morning Song. Perhaps a bit heavy on ballads but each song is well constructed and delivered with the proper mix of intensity and understatement. Other standouts include Vanity, Apart From Me and the lead single, a Another is Waiting.… Expand
  2. BKM
    Oct 18, 2013
    6
    While it's certainly a pleasant and listenable effort, Magpie and the Dandelion suffers from production that is too slick and songs that haveWhile it's certainly a pleasant and listenable effort, Magpie and the Dandelion suffers from production that is too slick and songs that have been done before and better. If the Avetts are to ever regain the anguished howl of their best work, Rick Rubin may have to go.… Collapse

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