an avett brothers primer, part 1: correct identification of scott + seth

Because I posted earlier this week about the Avett Brothers concert, I was hesitant to post about them again so soon, because variety is the spice of blogging.  

However, today their Live, Volume 3 comes out.  

And also however, I could not help but notice that prior to my recent concert post, I have not mentioned the Avett Brothers here since March 2009, which shows a great deal of restraint on my part, and gives me some leeway to now over-post on the topic.  

(For future reference, you might also note that except for the slightest of tangential mentions on July 17 and June 14 this past summer, I haven't mentioned North and South since June 16 of this year, which means I'm due up.  And can you even remember the last time I told someone they had to read Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy? Which, by the way, is being made into a movie, which I don't want to discuss because, to quote my dad, "There is only one Smiley -- Sir Alec," and which makes the fact that the book is out of print in the U.S. even more ludicrous -- the greatest spy novel ever written, out of print in the U.S. while the rest of the world continues to devour it and recognize it for the masterpiece that it is. My point is, you can't remember because I haven't brought it up since July 29 of this summer, and before that it was June 14 of this summer. )

So you see that I do show some self-control, and do not just use all my time here at the helm of suziebeezieland urging you to read, watch, and listen to stuff I like. 

So I was just thinking that for those of you who don't yet know if you like the Avett Brothers (you do), you might like a friendly little tutorial/primer series to get you up to full speed.

We will cover three different topics in our Avett Brothers Primer series.  

Today's topic is as follows:

Correct Identification of Scott + Seth
Although the Avett brothers' facial hair goes through transition, you should not let that confuse you as to their identities. Today we will learn how to distinguish Scott and Seth from (1) different versions of themselves, from (2) each another and from (3) anyone else who is not them.  You will have a chance to put your theoretical knowledge into practice following the lesson.  

If you wear glasses, please go put them on right now.

This is Scott Avett:

And this is also Scott Avett:

Scott Avett Version 1:

And Scott Avett Version 2:

Please make sure you can distinguish Scott Avett Version 1 from Scott Avett Version 2 before moving on.

Now here is Seth Avett:

Again, here is Seth:

Also Seth.  Are you getting the hang of this?

And yet!  Here, also, is Seth:

Again, Seth Version 1:

And Seth Version 2:

Before we move on, you will want to make sure you can distinguish Seth Version 1 from Seth Version 2.

Now here we have Seth Version 1 on the left, and Scott Version 1 on the right.

Now you try one.

Did you get it? That's Scott Version 1 on the left, and Seth Version 1 on the right.

Try again.

Did you say Scott Version 1 on the left and Seth Version 1 on the right? Because that is correct!

Now here is a Seth Version 1 on the left with a Scott Version 2 on the right.

And here we have a rare combination of Scott Version 1 on the left with Seth Version 2 on the right.

Before we move on, you will want to make sure you can distinguish Scott Version 1 from Seth Versions 1 and 2, and Scott Version 2 from Seth Versions 1 and 2.

Here we have a Scott Version 1.5 (a short-lived transitional version), a Seth Version 1, and Bob.  Bob is the bass player.

And here we have Scott Version 1, Seth Version 2, and Bob.

Here we have Bob, Scott Version 1, and Seth Version 2.  Bob is neither Scott nor Seth.

Before we go on, you will want to make sure you can distinguish the Avett Brothers from people who are not the Avett Brothers.

Here we have Joe (he's the cellist), Scott Version 1, Seth Version 1, and Bob.

Here are Bob and Joe, who are neither Scott nor Seth:

Before proceeding to the final exam, please make sure that you can distinguish all versions of Scott and Seth from all other humans.  

Here is your four-part final exam (plus extra credit question).

1.  Please identify the primary vocalist (with version number) in the following video.

2. Please identify the primary vocalist (with version number) in the following video.

3. True or False: Seth Versions 1 and 2 appear in this video. (Hint: Minute 1:07):

4. Which Avett brother says "Bonsoir, Paris" in the following video?

Extra Credit: In this very lovely song, which brother sure did get in lots of trouble?

Congratulations! I trust you did well.

Now that you can confidently identify the Avett Brothers as such, we are free to move on and discuss their music.  Hooray!

Stay tuned.