Iron & Wine expands to new sound
By Susan Pugh on Oct. 11, 2007
By Michael Chagnon, The Burg
Folk rock outfit Iron & Wine is the alias of a Texas singer-songwriter named Sam Beam. He is often compared with the retro folk of Nick Drake, Simon and Garfunkel, and Neil Young to name a few. He is perhaps most widely known for his cover of “Such Great Heights” by the Postal Service. His version was featured in advertisements for M&M’s and Ask.Com and included in the ‘Garden State’ soundtrack.
Beam’s latest release, his third full-length album, is called “The Shepherd’s Dog.” He claims that the record is “not a political propaganda record, but it’s definitely inspired by political confusion.” It debuted at No. 24 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and sold more than 32,000 copies in the first week. “The Sheperd’s Dog” opens with the amazing “Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car,” which sounds modern and antiquated at the same time. Other tracks like “House by the Sea” employ foreign instrumentation to create unique arrangements. Beam has come a long way from his simple, lo-fi sound. Other tracks of note include “Carousel” and the first single, “Boy with a Coin.”
Iron & Wine has already released a plethora of material. Beam is growing exponentially more sophisticated with his music. “The Sheperd’s Dog” could very well be one of the best independent records of 2007. For more information about Iron & Wine, visit http://www.ironandwine.com.
u Chagnon is a musician who also writes for http://www.michaelchagnon.com.
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