I and Love and The Avett Brothers

I know, I know, it has taken me way too long to sit down and finally write a review of the Avett’s newest release. After 8 albums or so (not including live ones), the Avetts were “discovered” by producer extraordinaire Rick Rubin, who threw them in the studio and put his magic touch on their punk-grass sound.  A 3 song EP was released a few months back and gave fans their first taste of new Avett’s in about 2 years, and  of what was to come when the full album is released.  I think it is safe to say that many fans had the same reaction as I to the new Rick Rubinized Avetts…… “Track 1 – I and Love and You: okay, some piano,  the cello a bit more pronounced, overall a great mellow opening song.  On to the next tune – Kickdrum Heart: “Uhhhhhh……ummmmm…..what the hell is this? Did iTunes mess up and download the wrong band? No, these voices definitely belong to the brothers.”  Track 3 – Laundry Room:  “Okay, we’re getting back to the Avett’s I know, even a good old fashioned ho-down right at the end of the track.”   So the hooping and hollering aren’t really there and some other band’s song got downloaded by accident, but I’m looking forward to the full-length.

Judging by what I was reading online and by the 3 song EP, many fans were apprehensive as to what they would hear when I and Love and You finally came out.  I have to admit that I did not download the album the day it came out.  I was about a week late and was getting bummed out, as one of the terms I was hearing used quite a bit about this new album is “sell-outs”.  I was imagining and entire album of Kick Drum Heart.   A week after it’s release, I finally added it to my iPod and listened to it completely through several times to get a good feel for it and really hear it…and all I have to say is, “Are you f*cking kidding me?!?!” I and Love and You is nothing short of amazing!! This album shows even more what truly gifted musicians the Avett’s are.  Sure it’s more produced and more polished, but how in the hell does that mean sell-out?  If there is any band out there who deserves getting “discovered” by a mega-producer, getting major distribution and becoming huge, it is the Avetts!! They have stayed true to who they are and their music is still amazing.  It might not be the knee slapping, jug band, stomping on the porch music that the annoying fans refer to when they scream out “play some old stuff” at their live shows, but it shows an amazing progression and true growth as musicians, and the heart of what they have always been is  still there.  The banjo is a bit less prevalent but still there, and the piano has definitely come out a bit more in many songs.

Three highlights from this album for me:

• I and Love and You
• Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise (this is one of 2 goosebump, tear to my eye songs on this album)
• The Perfect Space (this is the other)

I and Love and the Avett Brothers! Nothing disappointing about this album in the least bit.
And as I’ve said before, if you ever get the chance to see these boys live…..DO NOT MISS IT!!!
One of the most amazing and crazy live shows you will ever see. My wife had never been to a show until this past summer, never really even listened to them much….the show (one of the mellower ones even) is now “the best show she has ever seen” and she hasn’t stopped listening to them since.

Make Noise!!