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This is a companion to my previous post. It was taken by some students (hence the music). Looks like fun!
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Iron & Wine
The Creek Drank the Cradle
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AMG Review of The Creek Drank the Cradle
All Music GuideIron and Wine's debut record, The Creek Drank the Cradle, is written, produced, and performed by Sam Beam and features only Beam's voice, a gently strummed acoustic guitar, some slide guitar, and the occasional banjo. Iron and Wine creates intimate and emotional songs, recorded bedroom-style but never letting the lo-fi get in the way of the tune. The obvious comparison has to be Lou Barlow/Sebadoh/Sentridoh, as they share the same breathy voice, melancholy outlook on life, and devotion to Nick Drake. The difference is that there are no traces of punk rock or /p>
oise for the sake of noise in Iron and Wine's music. Beam isn't interested in rocking out or obscuring the beauty that bursts from within his simple songs; he embraces it and lets his sadness twist in the wind for all to see. Besides, his vocal harmonies are more soft rock than punk rock. "Lion's Mane" opens the record and immediately takes your breath away as Beam's voice is so beautiful and his hooks are razor sharp. Every song that follows is just as memorable, Beam sounding positively angelic as he harmonizes with himself. "The Rooster Moans" is a chilling side trip into Appalachian folk; "Southern Anthem" a falsetto-led indie-gospel track with an absolutely soaring chorus. The simple musical backing never gets boring either, as there are musical hooks to match the vocal hooks -- the banjo in "Lion's Mane," the double-tracked repeating slide at the end of "Faded from the Winter," the gently chugging rhythm of "Upward Over the Mountain." As soon as the almost jaunty, Neil Young-esque album closer, "Muddy Hymnal," ends, you'll want to hit repeat and start again. The Creek Drank the Cradle is a stunning debut and one of the best records of 2002.
Do snow days make up for the rest of winter?
My Eyes Will Meet Sam Beam's Tomorrow Night...
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For the past two days I've been under the weather, but there will be nothing that will hold me back from getting to the Blitzen Trapper/Iron & Wine concert at Babeville (Ani Difranco's church here in B-lo) tomorrow night. I lit up the other night when it hit me that I was finally going to be standing in the same room as Mr. Sam Beam. I'm thrilled, just thrilled. I've already prepared myself ...
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Song of the Week - December 3, 2007
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Very rarely do I go to a concert, and have what some might consider a "religious experience." My last spiritual awakening happened in 2006, when I saw Sufjan at the Crystal Ballroom. It also happened last night. I was completely floored by Iron & Wine's performance at the very same venue. Classic tracks were reworked in the vein of "The Shepards Dog.” If you haven't seen Iron & Wine live, .
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Do snow days make up for the rest of winter?
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This is a companion to my previous post. It was taken by some students (hence the music). Looks like fun!
More >
 "The Creek Drank the Cradle")
