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CD review: The Avett Brothers ‘I and Love and You’
‘I and Love and You’
(American Recordings)
Grade: A
“I and Love and You,” the major label follow-up (out Sept. 29) to 2007’s well-received “Emotionalism,” as well as two EP’s, “Gleam” and “The Second Gleam,” represents a mighty step forward for the North Carolina folk and Americana trio. With producer extraordinaire Rick Rubin at the helm, “I and Love and You” captures all that was already working for the band and runs with it, beefing up their sound without compromising the simplicity that originally attracted a cult-like following of fans. Catchy songs that walk a fine line between sadness and joy are still there, but Rubin’s production adds a subtle yet complementary polish to the music. A quiet organ lays the foundation for “Ten Thousand Words,” while an extended acoustic guitar solo captures some of the Brothers’ live charm. Similarly, strings, layered vocals and understated percussion bring “Laundry Room” to life. If there’s anything negative to be said about the album, it’s that fans of the band’s earlier work might notice that the material has softened a bit — the bluegrass macabre of older songs such as “Murder in the City” or “Die Die Die” are replaced by songs with a more domestic tilt.
The Avett Brothers play at 2:30 p.m. Friday on the AMD Stage during the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
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