I and Love and You

Passion and Depth (2010-09-01) : 5/5
I only became and Avett Brothers fan a few months before this record came out. But by then, I had swallowed whole their entire library, listening to almost nothing else. I was expecting more of the same from "I and Love and You."br /br /My initial reaction was that the record was quite a departure. I couldn't help but notice less of Scott's banjo, a whole lot more piano, and a more brooding quality overall than in previous records.br /br /But over time -- and especially through seeing the Avett Brothers five times -- I've come to see "I and Love and You" as a natural progression for the band. And I've fallen in love with all the songs -- especially "Tin Man," "Ten Thousand Words," "The Perfect Space" and "Laundry Room."br /br /It's all good. There's not a song on the record I haven't come to really appreciate. Not only are the songs themselves great, but lyrical depth is all that I've come to expect from the Avett Brothers:br /br /From "Ill With Want": "Free is not your right to choose / It's answering what's asked of you / To give the love you've found until it's gone"br /br /From "Ten Thousand Words": "Ain't it like most people? / I'm no different / We love to talk on things I we don't know about" br /br /Finally, Rick Rubin brings a richness and clarity to the production that really does put this record in a class by itself compared to the Avetts' previous efforts. The production is outstanding.
Great Album (2010-08-20) : 5/5
Lots of good songs on this album, great lyrics. It's been getting a lot of time in the car CD player.
Clarity and variety (2010-08-17) : 4/5
The Avett Brothers' "I and Love and You" is a thoughtful and rewarding album. Having heard some of their music before, but never before having listened to an entire Avett Brothers album, I found that I was impressed by the band's clear harmonies and soaring vocals. There is often a strong dependence on the piano as primary instrument, as in the at-once melancholy and uplifting title track. Thematically, the lyrics of the songs focus on the uncertainty involved in human beings' search for love -- a theme that is reinforced on the album's surprisingly heartfelt liner notes. "January Wedding," with banjo and acoustic guitar working together, has a strong country feel to it. Piano and bass complement one another well on "Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise," a song that seems to have more of a hook than some of the others. "And It Spread" is the song that I usually find myself humming after I have listened to the album. "Kick Drum Heart" has more of a rocking quality, with strong use of the piano. "Ten Thousand Words" features a pleasant acoustic-guitar solo supported by organ. I also liked the fiddle jam on "Laundry Room," and the way a tuba helps provide lots of "bottom" on "Tin Man." And was that a touch of rap on "Slight Figure of Speech"? The word I normally use to describe the Avett Brothers' music is "eclectic," and I think the term applies here. Overall, I found this album highly enjoyable.
THANKS AMAZON, MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE WITHOUT EQUAL (2010-07-27) : 5/5
OK, I admit that for the first time ever I actually clicked on one of the Amazon recommendations for artists while buying Monsters of Folk. The short previews were enough to convince me to buy the "I and Love and You" CD. What a great investment and what superb music. Look at the other reviews to see what people think they sound like, I say just buy the CD and enjoy. These guys are talent unleashed and in this newest release they were joined by the incredible Rick Rubin as producer. Rubin has influenced so much of the music we love that he has become part of us.br /br /Some time back I rated the top three albums of 2009 as Andrew Bird [Armchair Apocrypha], M Ward [Hold Time] and Monters of Folk's self titled release in a 3 way tie. That tie is now a 4 way "Best of 2009" with the addition of this great Avett Brothers CD. br /br /This CD has become our family favorite and we were lucky enough to see the brothers live this July in Wisconsin. What a performance. 2 hours with a croud standing on their feet worshiping each and every word and note. Scott and Seth's on stage energy was beyond description leaving the crowd exhausted and deeper in love with the dynamic music.br /br /Buy the CD, go to the show near you, and have these guys add a new depth of musical appreciation to your lives.
A New Favorite (2010-07-23) : 5/5
I saw these guys in concert recently, without really knowing any of their music, and they instantly became one of my favorite bands. I can't get enough of this CD in particular.