Album Review: The Avett Brothers "Carpenter"

By Aaron Davis (for JHWeekly.com)The Carpenter The Avett Brothers ***1/2“If I live the life I’m given/I won’t be scared to die” is the recurring line in The Carpenter's beautiful lead track, “The Once and Future Carpenter.” Those familiar with the Avetts know this line to be a genuine commitment, an ultimate reflection in their emotive lyrics. Lyrically, The Carpenter also confronts tragedy. Musically, the brothers get louder, utilizing more electric instruments—prominently, and at times, gritty. Some may ask, ‘Where’s the banjo?” You’ll hear it on the first single at least, Scott Avett’s “Live and Die,” a brilliant pop tune that lines up next to the Avett’s classic material. The rock and roll spirit is a return to pre-Avett Brothers band roots, during an era when the brothers were in a louder project inspired by Nirvana and Soundgarden. There are still subtle acoustic moments that shine, but they are largely overshadowed. The Carpenter is about rocking out, which sometimes works, and other times has me yearning for Emotionalism outtakes. The twelve-track affair was trimmed from two-dozen songs that were recorded and produced once again by the infamous Rick Rubin. The Carpenter will be released September 11.