The Carpenter
by The Avett Brothers
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
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  1. jbick89
    Oct 3, 2012
    4
    Their sound is polished, but that's not necessarily a good thing. I suppose I should have expected the album to have this pop-rock sound after I and Love and You, an album I ignored after the first listen other than about four of its tracks. The songs on The Carpenter feel safe and sterile; there's no raw energy, passion, or honest emotion that I loved about the Avetts in the past. TheTheir sound is polished, but that's not necessarily a good thing. I suppose I should have expected the album to have this pop-rock sound after I and Love and You, an album I ignored after the first listen other than about four of its tracks. The songs on The Carpenter feel safe and sterile; there's no raw energy, passion, or honest emotion that I loved about the Avetts in the past. The first two tracks are by far the best, but even Live and Die would be a weak effort on, say, Emotionalism. The rest are mostly sad, slow, and nostalgic, with lots of trite metaphors about seasons.… Expand
  2. littletrickceo
    Sep 20, 2012
    4
    I feel like I'm alone here, but after five or six listens I still can't get into it. There are a few solid songs, but even those pale in comparison to the originality and energy of their previous songs/albums. They play this one too safe for my tastes.
  3. anitquity
    Sep 14, 2012
    6
    Over the last couple of years, the Avett Brothers have expanded their fan base substantially. For those of us a fan of their earlier efforts, this album is too polished, poppy, and radio-friendly. In fact, I think it is a decent album, but has none of the characteristics that made me a huge Avett Brothers fan in the first place. Change and growth is great, but in this case I think theyOver the last couple of years, the Avett Brothers have expanded their fan base substantially. For those of us a fan of their earlier efforts, this album is too polished, poppy, and radio-friendly. In fact, I think it is a decent album, but has none of the characteristics that made me a huge Avett Brothers fan in the first place. Change and growth is great, but in this case I think they should not have chosen Rick Rubin to produce them. He should stick to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Linkin Park and not ruin great bands like the Avett Brothers.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Under The Radar
    Nov 30, 2012
    60
    The brothers [are] as painfully earnest as ever. [Oct/Nov 2012, p.128]
  2. Mojo
    Nov 21, 2012
    60
    The result is a trifle confusing. [Dec 2012, p.85]
  3. Q Magazine
    Nov 21, 2012
    80
    The Carpenter's appeal lies in its gentle tempos and heartstring-tugging melodies. [Dec 2012, p.100]
See all critic reviews »