It was mentioned above by another reviewer that this rating system is meaningless, since every album by the Avett Brothers deserves a perfect score.

I don't think that's true, but I definitely believe that the Second Gleam is as close as the Avetts have come to perfection. On most albums by the Bros., there is a song or two that I (and most people I ask) could do without. As an example: for all the beauty of the first Gleam, most listeners I've spoken to admit to skipping "Yardsale".