I agree, their best album. "Laundry Room" and "Ill with Want" are the standouts for me, after cycling through "I and Love and You" and "January Wedding".

Back in the day, when I was buying lots of used vinyl, I heard this time and time again at Hymie's on Lake Street, seemingly played every time I was there by some guy whose name I forget (who wasn't one of the owners). Well, this album burrowed into my head, and I ended up buying it and playing it even more.

Favorites change over time with a strong album ... the obvious hits become less interesting, and the more subtle tracks emerge as longer-term favorites. At least that's how it works for me.

Regardless of that, this album is fantastic ... their big breakthrough with Rick Rubin ... and the combo worked. I've tried their other albums, and they just don't work as well for me. Many times, the first album you hear remains the favorite no matter what.

It could be said that it seemed the Avetts were still climbing the ladder of success at this time, both musically and personally, and it seems their personal lives went down the tubes shortly after this ... or at least their marriages. But life gets complicated with fame and fortune and all the rest. This album remains a testament to this point in time, and it is, at the risk of being repetitive, fantastic.

IMO their best album

The Avetts are truly stunning songwriters and this album is a perfect introduction to their musical world. (Favs: I and Love and You, January Wedding, Head Full of Doubt, Kick Drum Heart, Laundry Room)

I've listened to this cd dozens of times and never grow tired of it. They have a nice country/folk way about them.

The Avett Brothers really are brothers and that they are still speaking and working together after more than a decade (unlike, say, the Gallaghers) is a good thing. I can’t quite find the words to say why, but it seems to speak well of them as people and hence their music. Is this reading too much into things? Perhaps. Regardless. Powerful songs here, some serious songwriting. Great hooks. Lots and lots of piano. Some acoustic stompers courtesy of “Slight Figure of Speech” and “Kick Drum Heart”. Elsewhere we are treated to oblique folk-pop majesty (the title track and “Laundry Room”). “I just saw a shooting star,” they sing. Me too.