Thirteen Raggedy Old Avett Brothers Songs To Make You Love (Or Hate) I and Love and You Even More

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Photo by Jeff Fasano for Paste

If you've flipped through the pages of Paste in recent years—whether physical or virtual—you're likely familiar with the Avett Brothers, if not just flat-out smitten with them. We first told their story back in 2006 and caught back up with them this summer as they prepared for the release of their major-label debut. I and Love and You came on out Columbia's American Records imprint last week, and it's a glorious feat—you can read our own Bart Blasengame's thoughts on the record right here. (For the record, yes, that is the first time Paste—or anyone else, we estimate—has ever committed the phrase "ginormous, pendulous testicles" to print.)

This new album, it's smooth as butter. As silk. As a baby's bottom. Whatever smooth thing you want to compare it to, it's as smooth as that. You can thank producer Rick Rubin, and the band's own perfectionist tenacity, and also the nearly ten years they've spent on the road, refining their sound and learning what they're best at, which, clearly, involves breaking hearts and then piecing them back together. The new album is less raw, less frenetic; there are less blood-curdling yowls and audibly shredded banjo strings. It's refined, a term hardly applicable to the band's five previous albums.

That's what Mr. Blasengame loves about it, that's what I love about it, and that's what a bunch of others at Paste HQ love about it. (The Avetts certainly didn't need to prove anything to us, but damn, we're glad they did.) But it's also what a few folks here aren't so sure of, and a few fans, too. It's the question eternally plaguing any band taking a big, strange step forward with their art: Have they traded up, or lost out? You'll have to wrassle with that for yourself—and, while you do, here's thirteen of our favorite raggedy old Avett Brothers songs, just for old time's sake. (Oh, and if just discovered these North Carolina fellas at Starbucks last week, this may very well blow your mind. Hold onto your latte.)

Pretty Girl from Matthews (Country Was, 2002)
Old Wyom (Country Was, 2002)
Walking For You (Carolina Jubilee, 2003)
I Killed Sally's Lover (Carolina Jubilee, 2003)
Nothing Short of Thankful (Mignonette, 2004)
Hard Worker (Mignonette, 2004)
Talk On Indolence (Four Thieves Gone, 2006)
Colorshow (Four Thieves Gone, 2006)
Distraction #74 (Four Thieves Gone, 2006)
Left On Laura, Left On Lisa (Four Thieves Gone, 2006)
Gimmeakiss (Four Thieves Gone, 2006)
Denouncing November Blue (Uneasy Writer) (Four Thieves Gone, 2006)
Pretty Girl from Chile (Emotionalism, 2007)

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7 Comments

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By Rebekah on October 5, 2009

Some of these are my favorite Avett Brothers songs, but how can you not love Colorshow? At first I was sad that new album was so...clean, but it has really grown on me and now I can't stop listening to it.

By Anna on October 5, 2009

How about the live recording of "Wanted Man"? That song is the polar opposite of the "smooth" sounds of "I and Love and You". But, I still love this new album. Good work boys.

By lisa on October 6, 2009

I just bought the new album today and am completely disappointed. Now where can I turn for good comtemporary bluegrass? We have enough Ben Folds :( Avett Bros. sold out if you ask me.

By Doug on October 6, 2009

thanks for this posting of the old stuff.
I discovered them with Emotionalism a great record and they've become one of my favorite bands - my three young sons enjoy them as well. in fact, we took the 2 youngest ones, ages 3 and 6, last year to see them in concert and had a great time. I'm listening to the new album on their website and love it on even the first listen!

By Patrick on October 7, 2009

I dig I and Love and You very much, but I also completely understand why someone might find it disappointing. I don't, however, feel that they've sold out (yet). If you listen to Mignoette then 4 Thieves then Emotionalism, I'd say they've clearly been trending in this mellower direction all along. That said, here's to hoping they rough it up a bit for their next release.

By Price on October 8, 2009

Luckily Lisa, no one is asking you. They have refined their sound on every recording they have made. The gleams were quite mellow. Plenty of other places to go for bluegrass. I think that bluegrass label sells their lyrical mastery short. The Avetts treat their fans better than any other band I have run into. Calling them sell outs is a joke.

Grr, Lisa.

By Dan on October 8, 2009

I agree with Lisa. The new album, regardless of the clarity of the recordings, lacks the sensibilities of the earlier records. Their energy, which always endears the live band, is absent, replaced by cheesy instrumentals (hallmark-card piano and jewelry-commercial violin parts). I love this band, but the new album is weak. They may not have sold out, but you can buy the album at Starbucks.