On Our Endless Numbered Days, the follow-up to 2002's stunningly good Creek Drank the Cradle, the sound of Iron & Wine has changed but the song remains the same. No longer does Sam Beam record his intimate songs in the intimate surroundings of his home. Instead he has made the jump to the recording studio. As a result the record is much cleaner, less cocoon-like, certainly more the product of someone who has become a professional musician and not someone who just records for fun on a four-track. However, all Beam has sacrificed is sound quality. The sound of the record is still very intimate and simple, with very subtle arrangements that leave his voice and lyrics as the focal point. Luckily all the technology in the world can't affect Beam's voice, which still sounds like it comes right from his lips into your ear as if he were an angel perched on your shoulder. His songs are still as strong and memorable as they were on Creek, no drop off whatsoever in quality. "Naked as We Came" with sparkling melody lovely background harmonies by his sister Sara; the aching folk allad "Radio War," which wouldn't sound out of place on Prairie Home Companion, only it would be the best thing you ever heard there; the sad and sweet "Each Coming Night"; the crystalline acoustic guitar allad "Fever Dream," which has the kind of vocal harmony between Beam and his sister that seems to be the exclusive domain of siblings; and the soft rock CSNY "Sodom, South Georgia" are the equal of anything on Iron & Wine's debut and match up well with anything Palace, Smog, or their ilk have done lately. A definite plus to recording in a studio and enlisting the help of outside musicians is that there is much more variety to the album and there are lots of small production touches that liven things up like the Native American chants at the close of "Cinder and Smoke," the pedal steel guitar on "Sunset Soon Forgotten," and the drums and tambourine on the bluesy "Free Until They Cut Me Down." Our Endless Numbered Days is very subdued, thoughtful, melodic, and downright beautiful album and the new sound is more of a progression than a sudden shift in values, production or otherwise. Anyone who found the first album to be wonderful will no doubt feel the same about this one. Heck, you might even like it more.
This week sees a lot of noteworthy albums hitting shelves. Personally, I am looking forward to Eminem, Iron & Wine and Dane Cook most of all. Leave your comments below. Eminem - RelapseTori Amos - Abnormally Attracted to SkinKenny Chesney - Greatest Hits IIIron & Wine - Around the WellKate Voegele - A Fine MessMatt Kearney - City of Black and WhiteDane Cook - ISolated INcidentMethod Man and Re...
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Iron & Wine great music to study too.
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This week sees a lot of noteworthy albums hitting shelves. Personally, I am looking forward to Eminem, Iron & Wine and Dane Cook most of all. Leave your comments below. Eminem - RelapseTori Amos - Abnormally Attracted to SkinKenny Chesney - Greatest Hits IIIron & Wine - Around the WellKate Voegele - A Fine MessMatt Kearney - City of Black and WhiteDane Cook - ISolated INcidentMethod Man and Re...
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just had to put this up there. and, though "trapeze swinger" is my newest iron and wine-related obession, "naked as we came" is still my go-to song. it makes me all tingly inside and is one of the few things in this world that makes me believe true love is actually possible. here's to you, sam beam...
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Love and Some Verses :: Iron & WineI don't think I know another man that can write about such bareboned moments quite like Sam Beam of Iron & Wine. "Love and Some Verses" is probably my favorite song by Iron & Wine, but it's a difficult to pick just one...
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Iron & Wine great music to study too.
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There is nothing like Iron & Wine to assist in sorting out the jumble in your head.He really makes beautiful music.If you want a pretty song, just listen to everything but I think Trapeze Swinger and Naked As We Came are just beautiful.If you're looking for something a little less flowery Teeth in the Grass or Free Until They Cut Me Down.He makes me smile.Anyone who would enjoy folksy melodies, am
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 "Our Endless Numbered Days")
