The Avett Brothers The Carpenter Album Review

1. The Once And Future Carpenter - This song has one of the best choruses I have ever heard. It is one of my favorites on the album. “And now I spend my days in search of a woman they call purpose and if I ever pass back through her town I'll stay.” That is freaking brilliant. The other lyric that really gets me is “If I live the life I’m given, I won’t be scared to die.” That touches me more than any lyric I have heard in a good while.

2. Live And Die - “Fear like a habit run like a rabbit out and away” is one just one of those lyrics that makes me think. “We bloom like roses lead like Moses out and away.” I do not really have a reason for liking this but I just do. It really speaks to me. Even though this is probably random, but the first time I heard the song, it reminded me of an episode of Big Bang Theory where Sheldon says “You and I, we’re the same!” I had a major AH-HA moment.

3. Winter In My Heart – I know that all lyrics are poetry, but this song could honestly be a poem. It really reminds me of a Dickinson poem. “It must be winter in my heart. There's nothing warm in there at all. I miss the summer and the spring, the floating, yellow leaves of fall.” How beautiful is that? I am serious.

4.  Pretty Girl From Michigan – Why am I not surprised that there is another song about a pretty girl? Ha! The piano in the beginning is beautiful and there is electric guitar!!!

5. I Never Knew You – It reminds me of Walking Contradiction by Green Day. The chorus is so in your face and I love it. “So I guess it's kinda funny how I loved you so way back when. You say I wouldn't know you now, Well I didn't even know you then.”

6. February Seven – It reminds me of The Once And Future Carpenter. The past few times I have seen Avett, they have played this song and I always get excited because I think it is going to be TOAFC.

7. Through My Prayers – This song really reminds me of The Ballad Of Love And Hate and Shame. This song is so sad. “Feels like no one understands And now my only chance to talk to you is through my prayers. I only wanted to tell you 
I care. Every night after and every day since I find myself crying when the memory hits. Sometimes it knocks me down, sometimes I can just put it away” That is so sad.

8. Down With The Shine – I love this song. I am not entirely sure what shine they are talking about but my guess is moonshine. “There’s nothing good cause nothing last and all that comes, it comes here to pass.” That lyric is just… brilliant. I cannot even explain why.

9. A Father’s First Spring – This song is really sweet. Whenever I hear it live, I just feel like crying because it is so sweet.

10. Geraldine – “I come from a place where every name and every face seem so familiar.” If that one lyric does not describe my life and where I am from, I do not know what does. This is a fun dance song.

11. Paul Newman Vs. The Demons – This song reminds me of America by Will Hoge, World Wide Suicide by Pearl Jam, and The Past by Sevendust. This is my favorite song on the album. I love the guitar because it is so different from what Avett normally does.

12. Life – This song strongly reminds me of Death Cab For Cutie, Jack White, and Needtobreathe all in one. This song is not my favorite but it is a great closing song.

This is such a great album and it is very different from their past albums. It is much slower and more elegant than their other albums. The album as a whole is an absolute lyrical genius.