Released 10 years ago
True Sadness
The Avett Brothers · 2016
50 min · 12 tracks · alternative country
A heartfelt blend of folk-infused melodies and poignant lyrics that explore themes of love, loss, and resilience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ain’t No Man — This opening track sets an uplifting tone with its catchy chorus and lively instrumentation, capturing the album's blend of joy and sorrow.
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No Hard Feelings — A poignant reflection on acceptance and mortality, this track features stripped-down instrumentation that highlights the emotional weight of its lyrics.
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True Sadness — The title track encapsulates the album's central theme of navigating complex emotions, combining introspective lyrics with a haunting melody that lingers long after listening.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances upbeat and introspective tracks, showcasing strong songwriting and emotional depth.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature upbeat tempos and strong hooks, while the subsequent tracks shift to more introspective themes and slower rhythms.
- Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The album closes with a nearly seven-minute track that gradually builds in intensity before tapering off, creating a reflective ending.
- 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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7/10
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 emotional exploration throughout
- poignant moments of reflection
- joyful melodies with heartache
- for introspective evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of upbeat tempos
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases continued vitality and emotional depth in their evolving sound.
- Career context
- Released on June 24, 2016, True Sadness marked The Avett Brothers' eighth studio album and followed their commercially successful record, Magpie and the Dandelion. At this point in their career, the band was transitioning from a more traditional Americana sound to incorporate richer production elements, reflecting their growth as songwriters and musicians.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mumford & Sons· The Lumineers· Trampled by Turtles
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Ain’t No Man 3:32
- 2 Mama, I Don’t Believe 4:16
- 3 No Hard Feelings 5:14
- 4 Smithsonian 4:33
- 5 You Are Mine 3:28
- 6 Satan Pulls the Strings 3:08
- 7 True Sadness 4:35
- 8 I Wish I Was 5:16
- 9 Fisher Road to Hollywood 4:23
- 10 Victims of Life 2:59
- 11 Divorce Separation Blues 4:56
- 12 May It Last 4:39
What to play next
Closer Than Together
2019
Continues the emotional depth with a modern sound and themes of connection.
Magpie and the Dandelion
2013
Precedes with a similar blend of folk and introspection, setting the stage for True Sadness.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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