After listening to the latest Avett Brothers release I and Love and You, I thought, “Wow, this is different”, but in a good way. The Avett Brothers are known for their genre-expanding albums that blend country, folk, and rock. Their latest release since 2007’s Emotionalism, this album brings us that same eclectic mix, only bigger and better than before.
This could be an example of what a major label and Rick Rubin (producer of past Beastie Boys, Weezer and Red Hot Chili Peppers albums) can do for you. The songs on I and Love and You range from epic ballads to foot-stomping jams, sometimes all within one track, like “Laundry Room”. Their signature soulful harmonies shine through with heartfelt lyrics to match, (“Kick Drum Heart” and “The Perfect Space”). Each song seems greater in it’s own certain way from past Avett Brothers releases.
All this greatness seems to come at a price, though. With such “perfect” songs, the honesty and truth of their lyrics and sound almost seem contrived. I loved the raw emotion and imperfect jangles of Emotionalism and Mignonette; I and Love and You does lack some of that, but sometimes we can see that a little imperfection goes a long way.
Here’s our countdown towards WPGU’s Album of the Year:
20. Jay-Z: The Blueprint 3
19. Manchester Orchestra: Mean Everything To Nothing
18. Wolfmother: Cosmic Egg
17. The Flaming Lips: Embryonic
16. Miike Snow: Miike Snow
15. Discovery: LP
14. Silversun Pickups: Swoon
13. Julian Casablancas: Phrazes for the Young
12. Andrew Bird: Noble Beast
11. The Avett Brothers: I and Love and You
#10-6 coming next week…stay tuned!
