From Amazon.com
this dog don't hunt...
Album Rating: (2 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I am not pretending that this is a revelatory review but I would like to add one thought to the appraisal of this work. It is simply this--if your last and enjoyable experience with Iron and Wine was "Our Endless Numbered Days" this attempt at artistic growth is uneven, over-produced, and too far from the original to feel like a bridge from the quirky lyrics, modulated voice, and understated production to be recognizable as an extension of Sam Beam's original effort. To put it simply, if you liked "OEND" and are expecting more of the same, or even recognizably similar, you will be sorely disappointed.
It has really grown on me!
Album Rating: (4 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: At first I didn't like this album. I was like "Okay I'm done listening to Iron and Wine. But has really grown on me. I don't think that it's too over produced. I remember Elliott Smith got the same crap from all his fans when Figure 8 came out.
Like I said it took a little while but this album grew on me.
A Big Fan
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: This is what I would expect from Iron and Wine- another great album. They take chances- chances that always work for me. The combo of fabulous lyrics and great melodies remind me of a new artist Arrica Rose I just came across in her new CD La La Lost Both alternative folk with uniques styles.
Phenomenal album from an artist and genre I usually don't like
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I generally can't stand this whole singer/songwriter guy-with-a-guitar-and-no-energy move in music--so dull, packed with sensitive shoegazers lacking self-esteem and passion. But I've finally found a disc that I not only like, but can't seem to stop listening to. Iron and Wine, on this album, adeptly push the envelope of the genre, incorporating creative instrumentation, rhythms, catchy and digestible melodies, and even energy (!). Bravo, Sam Beam, you've converted a skeptic! Keep this up!
Sam Beam embraces the joy of a full band
Album Rating: (4 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: Sam Beam, the once upon a time one-man band behind the Iron and Wine moniker, has finally and fully embraced the sound of a full band, perhaps spurred on by his collaborations with Calexia since the previous album, 2005's "In the Reins", that tipped its toes in this water and previewed this evolution. The departure from the band's early work heard here is quite dramatic, yet satisfying.
"The Shepherd's Dog" (12 tracks, 50 min.) starts off with an exuberant "Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car". "Lovesong of the Buzzard" is equally entrancing. Yes of course there are still 'quite' songs, such as the beautiful "Carousel" and "Resurrection Sound", but even in those songs you can feel a full band's embrace. Other highlights for me include "Wolves (Songs of the Shepherd's Dog)", which reminds me of Peter Gabriel's world music sound, just beautiful, and the brooding "Peace Beneath the City". In all, there really is no weak track on here, and it is (for me) the best album of Iron and Wine to date. Can't wait to see where these guys will go from here. If you are wondering where I hear their music, check out WOXY (BAM! The Future of Rock and Roll!), the internet-only but best source for indie-music in the country, bar none.
Iron and Wine was one of those bands that I had been wanting to see for a long time, particularly since this album came out last Fall. Well I finally did catch them last month at Bonnaroo, and they put on a fantastic 80 min. set, primarily bringing songs from "The Shepherd's Dog", and it was one of the best sets of Bonnaroo for me. (As an added bonus, my daughter bought a great Iron and Wine T-shirt for me for Father's Day while we were there!) Meanwhile, "The Shepherd's Dog" is highly recommended!
Purchases
1 Pagan Angel And A Borrowed Car
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