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I And Love And You
EMAILPRINTby The Avett Brothers
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 13 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 26 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Sony
Release Date: 29 September 2009
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock, Folk
Summary
Rick Rubin produces the latest album for the North Carolina band.
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
Mostly it's the tunes that do the slamming. And though their lyrics may be too sincere for sophisticates, they're not sincere enough to suit the Avetts, a disconnect they'll tell you about.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
Recalling Elton John or Ben Folds at his most Southern-sounding, I And Love And You deserves the larger audience it’s been designed for, wrapping shamelessly sentimental, effortlessly beautiful songs in a warm, inviting mellow-rock package.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
While the Avett Brothers have had a productive run going on a decade, I and Love and You‘s new elegant musical direction and very strong set of new songs indicate that they are band that is indeed just getting revved up.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe
With Rick Rubin at the helm, employing his trademark austerity but not overdoing the dryness, the group swings for the fences musically, lyrically, vocally, and emotionally. Its batting average is sterling.
Read Full Review >Billboard.com
Packed front to back with lyrical treats and lovely sonic touches (thanks to producer Rick Rubin), I and Love and You may be one of the major labels' best pieces of news this fall.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times
The Avett Brothers have hit upon a winning approach, and this album is another step in their taking it beyond the obvious.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
The result is an intimate, poignant album, laced with rich production that enhances, not clouds, the songwriting itself.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
For their major-label debut, producer Rick Rubin has turned the group into a lush chamber-folk outfit. I and Love and You is packed with complex, piano-based beauties.
Read Full Review >Spin
More than anything, I and Love and You proves how miscast the Brothers were as folkies, because their ambitions are so much larger.
Read Full Review >Filter
This is a minor stumble at a major plate, but no fear. The high here do well in drowning out the lows. [Fall 2009, p.92]
Pitchfork
It's not that there's no room for such studio nuance in the Avetts' music, but it gives I and Love and You a quotidian sheen, making their signature sincerity seem sappy and much less special.
Read Full Review >Under The Radar
Despite its accomplished musicianship and polished production, however, I And Love And You feels like somewhat of a whimper after the highs of "Emotionalism." [Fall 2009, p.75]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 26 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Shaun gave it a6:
I've seen heaps of critical and fan praise piled on "I and Love and You" and I'm not saying the Avetts don't deserve it. But as a fan who discovered these guys some six years ago, I continue to believe that the real masterpiece in the Avett catalog is their prior release "Emotionalism". Raw with a polished feel, tender yet rockin', Emotionalism is the true 10. The Avetts continue to write great songs but I sometimes feel like this album is propelled in large part by the hype of a major label debut and the production of Mr. Rubin.
Darnell S gave it a6:
It's an OK to good album that every folk-infused hipster is losing their shit over. So many 10's on the user reviews is so telling. Really people? This is as good as they come? For real? I've $10 bucks that says you'll have forgotten these guys in 5 years.
Adam W. gave it a5:
It's good by the standards of the music industry today, but it's just not anything remarkable for the Avetts. In fact, I think it's a step in the wrong direction. It's like everything that was good about our boys, their ingenuity, their imperfections, their perfection, and their music has all been sucked out and we've been left with a husk of the splendor that once was. Have you guys listened to Four Thieves Gone? Mignonette? Carolina Jubilee?! Now THAT'S the stuff.
Kurt C gave it a9:
They won me over with this one. I wasn't the biggest fan of their previous record "Emotionalism"...much of it seemed over-the-top and sloppy at times. "I and Love and You" is solid, well-written, and still captures the Brothers' raw energy while not going too far over the edge and letting the songs speak more for themselves. Excellent album.
Wade P gave it a7:
I love the Avett Brothers, and while this is a great developmental and artistic album, it's a departure from what got them here. The songs are so polished and clean that it loses some of the roughness that made the band so appealing. I have a sneaking suspicion their next album will be a throwback to their bluegrass roots. This band won't forget where they came from.
Mandy S gave it a10:
This album shows the growth of the song writing of the Avetts. It's a solid album through and through with a full, authentic sound. I've been listening to it repeatedly since it dropped! My only (slight) criticism is that it doesn't have as much of the energy we know and love from the Avetts and that's a bit of a change of pace. Definitely looking forward to more to come from these guys!
Jason R gave it an8:
Its solid. Not as good as Emotionalism and maybe a little worse off for some of the production decisions. (Rick Rubin is awful and probably the most overrated producer of all time.) But the songwriting is still strong enough to make this worth buying. See them live if you want to experience how good these songs are truly capable of being.
