This three-piece from Concord, N.C. has garnered a lot
of critical praise over the years with its blend of folk
with rock sensibilities. On their new album they sound more
focused and more eager to embrace the pop side of their
sound than on previous efforts.
Rick Rubin’s production surely has something to do with
this. Rick Rubin is known for getting every ounce of creativity
and adventure out of an artist. Perhaps this is their greatest
album yet, but I suspect people who have a rather rigid
view of the band may not agree. Some people will see this
change as selling out. I see it as organic and natural.
The first single, “I and Love and You,” is a beautiful
song about making somewhere new feel like home. It’s about
the journey of discovering a deep love for your new address.
In this case it’s Brooklyn. You are surprised how you feel
by this developing emotion. The quirky “My Heart Like a
Kick Drum” is a true delight. With a happy, odd little piano
riff to start the song and the use of a kick drum to carry
the chorus, it really works well. The music becomes a metaphor
for love and the lyrics are quite literal. This song is
fun and different and great. Tackling a more serious subject
matter on “Ill with Want,” they sing against greed —that
feeling of wanting something better than what you already
have will leave you sad and unfulfilled. This song is gorgeous
with a piano driving the song and the harmony filling it
with empathy.
There are songs on I and Love and You that will make
you feel lonely and there are others that will make you
feel jubilant. This album works so well because they are
really good storytellers and exceptional musicians. The
Avett Brothers continue to evolve as artists — just enough
to keep their music sharp and fresh. This is the kind of
album that could make them a household name. I sure hope
it does.
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