So, I fell in love with the Avett Bros. about 3 years ago. It started with "I and Love and You" on the radio, which piqued my interest, but I didn't do anything with it. Then my brother, who incidentally is the person who seems to introduce me to most of my favorite music (Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Phish, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, DMB. etc., etc.), had to have heart surgery and while we were there in the hospital, his wife kept talking about the Avett Bros. and how much Cory loved them. It was only after I dug into it that I realized this was the same band, so I promptly went out and bought "I and Love and You". Now, I know for many fans, that album was a bit of a let down. Too polished, over-produced; a departure from the raw, invigorating sound that was the Avett's I would come to know through the Gleam albums and Emotionalism. However, I thought "I and Love and You", while polished, was still a great album with beautiful lyrics and real emotion.
Now comes "The Carpenter"; yet again produced by Rick Rubin - polished, clean, pretty, almost poppy. On some level you had to expect it. Bands, like the people they are comprised of, change, mature and grow in directions that their fans don't always follow (I don't remember the last time I bought a DMB album, for instance, but that doesn't mean I don't love their old stuff still). This album is a little more mellow, and has the distinctive finger print of the talented Mr. Rubin on it. Part of me really yearns for a return to Emotionalism's unfiltered feeling. The sound that your ear instinctively knew said, "Hey, this is us, mistakes and all and it's part of what makes us great."
That said, I can't really knock the album too much. With exception to the Banjo (MORE BANJO! I miss it terribly! One song? One??? Come, on guys!), the core sound of Avett Bros. is still there - the lyrics are meaningful, the melodies are new but familiar in nature, the band is tight and the harmonies are wonderful as always (though I wish Scott's voice were in the lead a little more often). The first 9 tracks are generally very good. The album sort of peters out in the last three tracks. Paul Newman vs. the Demons is a throw-away song, if you ask me. I am totally in love with the first two tracks, "The Once and Future Carpenter" and "Live and Die" (mostly because it's the banjo song, not because it's "the single" that is being pushed right now). "I Never Knew You" is a fun romp with the energy you would expect from Avett Bros. (I can't wait to hear it live). "February Seven" may end up being my favorite song ultimately - it really hits a chord. "Through My Prayers" sometimes seems a little cliche, but it is still heartfelt and frankly brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it (it also has Oboe in it, which is awesome). "Down With the Shine" is a personal favorite as well and "A Father's First Spring", while not their best effort ever, really touched a chord as I am a father of an 11 month old daughter and "my heart is now ruined for the rest of all times" as well.
Their best album, no. A great album, yes. Next time, though, I hope they go a little more lo-fi and bring back the darn BANJO. MORE BANJO!!!
P.S. - Mr. Kwon, you rock, sir. You. Rock.