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The sound of The Avett Brothers’ I and Love and You consists of a blend of many different types of music, with songs about life, love, humanity, and some politics, too. But it’s mostly about love in all its forms, including the truthful and deceitful aspects of loving and how each individual uses it in their life. The title track, “I and Love and You,” is the first and most compelling track, bringing home the true meaning of the Brothers’ music.
These thirteen songs don’t really fit into any one genre—one minute you’re listening to country and the next you might hear some form of punk rock mixed with bluegrass. None of the music particularly impressed me, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be “I and Love and You,” simply because I liked the verse “Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in” and the simple piano tune that goes with the song. The Brothers also did a great job of harmonization on this one.
“And It Spread” takes a page from Green Day’s music book (screaming verses mixed with more subdued verses), which also reminds you that The Avett Brothers started out as a hard rock band. While this style works great for hard rock, it’s totally out of place on a CD that contains mostly piano and banjo music. “The Perfect Space” also contains screaming lyrics—which, again, feel out of place, as if the Avett Brothers weren’t sure about which kind of music they wanted to sing. In the end, all those different sounds made it difficult to really enjoy the album.
Scott and Seth Avett, along with bassist Bob Crawford, make up The Avett Brothers. Their music is the kind you might hear at a county fair or a folk festival. This brand of music is an acquired taste, and though I don’t mind it every now and then, it does not appeal to me on a regular basis.
However, if you like something approaching a new species of music, you might enjoy I and Love and You and the Avett Brothers’ blend of bluegrass, punk, country, rock, and a smidgen of folk music. As for me, I think I’ll pass on these two brothers.
