Released 13 years ago this October
Magpie and the Dandelion
The Avett Brothers · 2013
56 min · 15 tracks · alternative country
A warm blend of folk and bluegrass, infused with introspective lyrics and rich harmonies that evoke a sense of longing.
Top tracks — play these first
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Open-Ended Life — Opening the album, this track sets an introspective tone with its contemplative lyrics about life's uncertainties and possibilities.
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Bring Your Love to Me — This song highlights the band's ability to blend yearning melodies with poignant lyrics, creating an emotional core that resonates throughout the album.
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Skin and Bones — With its stripped-down arrangement and reflective lyrics, this track showcases the band's skill in conveying vulnerability through simple yet effective storytelling.
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The Clearness Is Gone — A standout ballad that explores themes of loss and nostalgia, this track exemplifies the band's lyrical depth paired with harmonious instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but lacks a fully cohesive flow across its length.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower ballads that create a reflective atmosphere.
- The instrumentation blends acoustic guitar, banjo, and strings, creating a warm sound that supports the introspective themes present in the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- warm harmonies for cozy afternoons
- thoughtful introspection on quiet drives
- balanced progression with emotional resolution
- demo tracks for deeper engagement
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party anthems
- prefer standalone singles over albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid entry in their catalog that doesn't define their overall trajectory.
- Career context
- Released on October 15, 2013, 'Magpie and the Dandelion' is the follow-up to The Avett Brothers' breakthrough album 'The Carpenter' from 2012. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their reputation as leading figures in the alternative country scene after achieving mainstream success. This album continued to showcase their growth as songwriters while maintaining their signature sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mumford & Sons· The Lumineers· Trampled by Turtles
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Open-Ended Life 4:51
- 2 Morning Song 3:54
- 3 Never Been Alive 3:10
- 4 Another Is Waiting 2:08
- 5 Bring Your Love to Me 3:43
- 6 Good to You 4:25
- 7 Part From Me 5:06
- 8 Skin and Bones 3:57
- 9 Souls Like the Wheels 4:09
- 10 Vanity 2:48
- 11 The Clearness Is Gone 4:54
- 12 Vanity (demo) 3:01
- 13 Morning Song (demo) 4:00
- 14 Another Is Waiting (demo) 2:18
- 15 Bring Your Love (demo) 4:06
What to play next
True Sadness
2016
Continues the introspective themes with a richer sound palette.
The Carpenter
2012
Sets the emotional tone leading into the warmth of Magpie and the Dandelion.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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