Iron & Wine

Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog (2007)

This just landed on my doorstep a few days ago and I've made it through the entire disc a few times, but it's definitely going to take some more active listening. Pitchfork, which rates it an 8.6, says:

Sam Beam's first two full-lengths under the name Iron & Wine were bare-bones, hushed affairs full of rich imagery, whispery falsettos, rhythmic finger-picking, and not much else. In the time since, Beam has gradually moved in other directions, expanding his palette on both the excellent Woman King EP-- which featured more percussion and fleshed-out arrangements-- and 2005's full-band collaboration with Calexico, In the Reins.

Beam has also toured with a group of musicians for some time now, so it makes sense that his new album would complete his gradual journey away from lo-fi home recordings. The album even teases you at its start-- it begins with a snatch of scratchy black-and-white guitar and percussion before jumping to Technicolor when the bass and drums dive in. The rest of opener "Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car" is surprising as well, at once sleek and full of clattering Americana signifiers like steel guitar, acoustic slide guitar, and tack piano.

NPR broadcast their recent appearance at the 9:30 Club. For the time being anyway, he's streaming in the entire album at MySpace. FREE STUFF. Other reviews here (and definitely check out the reviews for Our Endless Numbered Days and The Creek Drank the Cradle on Metacritic as well).