“I and Love and You:” Falling in love with The Avett Brothers New Release
Lizzle Davis, writer
April 12, 2010
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Featured A&E, Visual Entertainment
Throughout musical history, there has been a lovable, familiar charm about a harmony between brothers. Need we name names? The Allman Brothers, the Doobie Brothers, the Wilson, Davies, and Isley Brothers were all viable trademarks in the music industry. Why? Well, to me, there is some sort of enticing quality about brotherly music—there is a naked honesty to it that strips away all pretension and emotional incompatibility. The Avett Brothers, from our close neighbor Concord, North Carolina, is no exception to this rule.
With this theme of honesty in mind, it is my duty to say that I am qualitative of “die hard” fans across this region. I too share in a passion for Seth and Scott Avett’s endearing imperfect melodies and distinctive new-age “grungegrass” sound. It makes sense then, that the brother’s 2009 album, I and Love and You, brought with it an almost unnatural anticipation among their locally based fans.
However, as excited as I was for its release, I made sure to keep a keen and honest eye on the changes that their first “big” album might produce.
My first impressions of the album were not favorable. The entire time I listened, I had an ear that demanded to hear the clanking, distinctive sound of Scott Avett’s banjo and the witty charm of their easygoing lyrics. I instead found that the band had, in a sense, “grown up” from their smaller, Crackerfarm-produced albums. I had to remind myself that when I had first heard the sounds of the Avett Brothers, it took a while for the words and the sounds to grab hold of me. Once they did, there was no letting go. The same held true for I and Love and You.
Songs such as “Perfect Space”, “I and Love and You”, and “Head Full of Doubt” were riddled with the mysterious feeling of growing older, laced with a strong tie to family values and personal acceptance. With the heavy, however, also came light. The album was not without catchy tunes such as “And it Spread”, “Kick Drum Heart”, and “Slight Figure of Speech” to keep the lovable, upbeat tempo that serves as a centerfold for their widely coveted live shows.
My personal favorite, however, would have to be “January Wedding” track, because in this song, the band goes “back to basics” with its more primitive set-up of Scott’s banjo and Seth’s guitar.
So, should you think about buying this album? Absolutely. No matter what you’re musical taste, there is something in it for everyone. Whether it is the rootsy lyrics, unique musical dynamics, or the rousing tempo of their catchy songs, The Avett Brothers are in it for a big, international impression with I and Love and You.
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