MOG

I think most people became aware of the group Iron and Wine when they did a cover of the song "Such Great Heights" on the Garden State Soundtrack. The bearded wonder (he is only "outbearded" by Rick Rubin) that is Sam Beam has outdone himself on his new album "The Shepards Dog". While I have always loved his lyrics and voice I have found his music background to be comatose. Shephards Dog however is full of sound and harmony that flows so well with his voice it makes you wish he'd go back and record his previous albums in this manner. I cant stop listening to "Lovesong of the Buzzard" with its swirling organ and lyrics like "no one is the Savior they'like to be" he has thrown down the gauntlet for singer songwriters like Conner "I'm the New Dylan" Oberst and Ray "Hey I have a beard too" Lamontagne. My personal favorite is "Boy with a coin" it is just an infectuious song, I challenge you to not tap along with it. Check out the following song as well "The Devil never sleeps" which will require dancing of some sort. The line in this song "Everybody bitchin that there is nothing on the radio" is very appropriate for this album since you know that you will NEVER hear this song on the radio though you should because it is probably one of my favorite of last year. Enjoy