Twangville

Oct 7, 2009

Readers’ Pick: I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers

by in Alt-Country, Americana, Folk, Pop, Readers' Pick, Reviews, Rock

The Avett Brothers

Twangville readers picked ‘I and Love and You’ by The Avett Brothers as their favorite release for week of September 29, 2009.

After five full-length albums and two EPs on Ramseur Records the Avett Brothers have decided to go BIG with their latest release ‘I and Love and You’. What do you do when you want to go big? You team up with Rick Rubin and you let Sony take care of the rest. The benefits speak for themselves but a key advantage for the Avett Brothers is that all nuances of their unique style of folk, bluegrass, rock and pop get captured to the utmost degree. For a band that’s made a name for themselves from their raucous live performances and word of mouth publicity is this a different direction for the band? Or, is it the natural progression of a group finally getting the notice they deserve? I lobby for the latter. After all, in 2007 they were named the AMA New/Emerging Artist Of The Year and in Spring of 2009 you could have seen them touring with the Dave Matthews Band. That’s big.

Fortunately, the music stays true and the high quality production serves as a benefit. You’ll notice a ‘coming of age’ theme with many of the lyrics — perhaps an obvious direction given their big label debut. For me, the only downside of the album is that it is super slow to get going. The title track and first song of the album is a defining track but I think it’s a better postlude than prelude. It’s not until “Kick Drum Heart” (Track 7) that it really kicks into gear. Thankfully, “Slight Figure of Speech” and “It Goes On and On” end the album on a high note. If ‘coming of age’ is a sign of settling down I hope The Avett Brothers never get old. And while ‘I and Love and You’ serves as a pivotal recording of an emergent band and California has temporarily replace North Carolina, I’ll still hold hope for more of the rambunctious, barn-busting rock that drew me to them in the first place. [★★★★/4.1 -- Tom Osborne]

RIYL: Old Crow Medicine Show, Langhorne Slim, Chatham County Line, The Felice Brothers, The Hackensaw Boys

About the author:  Washington, D.C. area web designer by day. Certifiable music freak by night. Husband and father of two by the loving grace of God.

  • Robert Klausner

    Tom – This record is a little strange for me. Right after it came out I listened to it 2 or 3 times and liked it better each time. After each listen I was more excited about the record. But then something happened. I was unable to get my arms around the entire record. I think Rick Rubin was brilliant in the production, but maybe tried to do so much with each song that the record doesn’t flow. That and it is a little too Ben Folds Five for me in some spots. Anyway, Iwill continue to listen to this interesting record as it has more than a few brilliant songs. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the same week as this record came out, Langhorne Slim came out with a new record that is the definition of simplicity and is excellent. Please note that I reserve my right to change my mind on both records for my end of the year Newsletter. No Retreat, No Surrender, Bob Klausner

  • Todd

    I think “I and Love and You” is a great song and the first half of the record is grand.


Readers' Pick

What is your favorite release for week of May 22?

View Results

Recommendations

A selection of favorites from our editors and polls.
album coveralbum coveralbum cover

View more recent recommendations »

Radio

Listening Booth

There are several ways for you to check out some of the music we feature on Twangville. Here are a few:

Authors

Our posse of gunslinging authors.

Learn more About Us.