I And Love And You

I'm an alienated cyborg filled with existential dread, and I'm mildly allergic to modern folk music. This one started off all earthy and vulnerable, but ended up transitioning somewhere in the middle into what sounds like TV show theme songs.

I like folk-rock, Americana, or whatever you want to call this style of music. The Avett Brothers aren't my favorite of the genre though. They're good, I wouldn't turn the station on them, but somehow they feel a little flat to me. I think it's the vocals. Overall I enjoyed this but so many other artists in this category I prefer - Gillian Welch, Ryan Adams, Be Good Tanyas, Justin Townes Earle, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, etc. 3 stars.

Pleasant to the ear, but instantly forgettable. I know of more interesting artists in this genre.

Somehow I missed this one during my peak college late-2000s folk revival phase. I appreciate that this sound is very specific to a time and a place, and more then a decade past that musical moment it seems a bit silly and cliched. I can imagine younger listeners wondering what the collective folk hallucination was all about. That being said, I'm still 1000000% in the pocket for this style and I guess I'm that old increasingly irrelevant music guy. Thanks for sharing.

This was one of those kinds of albums, I listened to it a ton when it came out and then it just dropped fully out of my rotation. I'd forgotten some of the interesting musical curves the deeper cuts took. Still very good.

The Avett Brothers were there for my indie folk phase and they should be for yours too

An interesting addition to be sure. I think there are similar acts on the original list, but it isn't a bad addition in spite of that.

Curious coincidences in life make me find albums by two of my favorite cult bands, The Decemberists and The Avett Brothers, in a row. In both cases, with albums that are not my favorites from their discography, but hey nothing is perfect in this life! This was the album that was supposed to take them to massive success, first with a major and produced by Rick Rubin. And although it is the one that had actually been the most successful by far, I think it fell short of expectations. The album itself is, for me, several steps below their previous 'Emotionalism' and their later 'The Carpenter'. I guess it's just another example that creativity doesn't always flourish when it's needed most, often quite the opposite in fact

Too much folk, much less rock unfortunately.

It hot boring after a while

Not a bad album, but I think there is enough country/folk type music in the original list

This LP can’t decide what it wants to be - starts off straight singer-songwriter folk, attempts poor pop renditions, zigzags back to folk, etc. All of it feels so bland and boring, and reaching for something it’s not.

I used to swear by these guys. We all make mistakes.

Kick Drum Heart's fx are perfectly placed to do away with any lingering goodwill. With Rubin's production to pull back the veil and that downward slope, it's nice of the band to avoid becoming their own circling vultures.

ew, more folk music. And it's the modern kind, sounds like Mumford and Sons. 1/5 on a nice day.

I remember this album getting a ton of praise when it initially came out, around the time I started paying more attention to music and what was being critically acclaimed. I never took time to listen to it, but I think hearing it like this made me enjoy it more. It's struck a fine balance between poppish indie folk and genuine Americana spirit. The songs have movements and feel like they fit together perfectly. Can't say enough nice things about this. Favorite tracks: "I And Love And You", "And It Spread", "Ill With Want"

Wonderful! Thank you.

This was very, very nice.

I and love and this!

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: And it spread, The perfect space, Kick drum heart, Tin man

not normally my thing, but enjoyed this, particularly "Tin Man" & the title track

I had never heard of this before and was pretty impressed at how easily approachable it is and that tracks like I and Love and You are exceptional, with a sincere passion that elevates it. Songs like Kick Drum Heart do a lot for the album, giving new tempo and energy that also carries a good pop hook. Really enjoyable.

I remember hearing about these guys around this time… heard a couple of music nerds on NPR talking about them. Meant to listen but never did. Now I have. Great!

I really like the first eight songs of this album, but it just isn’t able to maintain its momentum throughout. Additionally, there are some strange choices made in regards to vocal delivery. The pop punk esque screaming and rapping in ‘Slight Figure of Speech’ are certainly head scratchers. I don’t think this album holds a candle to other indie folk albums of its time.

Good piano-driven folk rock. Pleased to hear clear vocal without any Country or typical Nashville twang.

Good

Zzzzzz

Lovely and melodic with a vaguely rootsy sound, but this could have used a stronger vocal. Starts off well but meanders stylistically, and ultimately just hangs around for too long. Fave Songs: January Wedding, I and Love and You, Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise, Tin Man

Standard modern folk

Another nice, chilled, indie folk album. This stands out a bit from the crowd in it's niceness. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: I And Love And You Date listened: 26/09/24

Folk rock, Americana, roots rock. Ni fu ni fa.

My basic ass mother in law loves the Avett brothers and now I know why because this was incredibly bland. Just like her Christmas food, this album didn’t taste terrible at first but kick drum heart was the turning point into the actual chewing and swallowing of unseasoned green bean casserole. That was a somewhat tortured metaphor but you get the idea, I hope whoever chose this after listening to 1089 albums enjoys their mac and cheese and chicken strips while they watch the Big Bang theory reruns.

2000s indie pop

Weak

Nice! Definitely a fan of the Avett Brothers, the title track of this album included. I’ve heard a few of theirs but not this one, it’s good! Some genre bending that I didn’t expect or love but a few that I’ll keep, that’s a win to me. Appreciate the inclusion. Favorite tracks: I and Love and You, January Wedding, Ten Thousand Words. Album art: Maybe their most famous? The most recognizable to me. A woman shrouded in shadow, looks like she’s holding a skull. I dig the art style. 3.5/5

I'm not a huge fan of this style but they have a bit more life than some of their peers which is very welcome. I'm so so so so tired of mumble mope plastic folk.

This is the kind of folk music that makes me think of goofy hipsters. The generic and bland lyrics make this album a bit laughable at points. The issue with folk sometimes is the instrumentals are never the strong point so if the lyrics suck then the songs aren’t that great. That’s exactly what happened here on this album. 4.7/10

This is one of those bands I’d always heard or saw but never listened to. For some reason I thought they were 60’s rock types but this is their debut! Very folksy not as much rock but it was good. I can’t say I’m a fan but I’m glad someone put this on here.

It is modern folk music. This did not need to be a thing. Way too long. No one should have recommended this.

If this albums thing has taught me anything, it's that Americana does nothing for.me, I'm afraid.