spunkybean - What The Kids Like: Iron & Wine (Oct 15)

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What The Kids Like: Iron & Wine (Oct 15)

Written by Kevin Miller

Wednesday, 15 October 2008 14:00

I know I talk about rap a lot, and there's good reason for that. But today I am going to give the whole rap thing a rest and tell you about something from the opposite end of the spectrum. I want to introduce you to a band that has recently seen a large number of plays on my iPod. The band is Iron & Wine. Great name, great sound, great beard. For real.

So Iron & Wine started out as just one guy, Samuel Beam, and an acoustic guitar. Sure, we've all heard a countless number of acoustic songs. Some guy at an open mic night or a hippie at a party or a bonfire or something lame like that. But Iron & Wine has evolved into more than just a man and a guitar. What started out as lo-fi indie music has snowballed into something completely different. It's produced, no long lo-fi, and features a full band adding to the sweet melodies of the acoustic guitar and amazing voice of Samuel Beam.

My favorite release has to be the Woman King EP. Every song is beautifully arranged, perfectly executed, and just well done all around. His voice is superb; it's beyond anything I've heard in recent years. Now everyone is using computer tricks and vocoders to alter their voice; not so in this case. He is truly talented. His voice alone, without any of the instruments to back it, is worth the listen. Add on the catchy, soulful instrumentation and you have an EP that never misses.

It's indie acoustic music with a little bit of a country undertone. It definitely has some twang, but not to the point where the music would be blaring from the speakers of every old pick up truck in all the red states. There's just a little hint of the genre in his music. Some songs more than others, so the term "hint" is meant to be an average, I guess. There is a downside to this EP though: it's only 6 songs long. Of course, that's what an EP is, but it's not enough. Woman King needs to be a full length. It delivers six impressive songs, and then leaves you wanting more.

Thankfully, there is more. Plenty more actually. Since 2002, Iron & Wine has released three full length albums, as well as six EPs and a number of singles. One of his singles, a cover of The Postal Service's "Such Great Heights", which was featured on the Garden State soundtrack.

Unfortunately for you it's not 2004 anymore so you can't use the whole Garden State thing as a conversation starter. Now you'd have to mention Juno or something, but Iron & Wine wasn't on that soundtrack. Maybe if you're somehow on the topic of soundtracks then you can mention Garden State and go from there, but you can't just bring it up. It's too old to be discussed right now. It's also too new to be discussed as a classic or anything like that, so it's best just to wait for someone else to bring it up.

It is a great song though. Most of his songs are great songs, so that's not really saying much. There's something for everyone too. There's the lo-fi sound of his earlier work, like the album The Creek Drank the Cradle (playlist song: Southern Anthem). If you're in the mood for something a little more produced, something not so lo-fi, that doesn't sound like it was recorded in his bedroom, try the album Our Endless Numbered Days (playlist song: Free Until They Cut Me Down).

This is perfect fall music. Have a barbecue with some Iron & Wine in the background while you enjoy whatever Oktoberfest brew you prefer. Samuel Adams is always a good choice. Or you can go find something that is actually German. That would be good too. But enjoy the leaves, enjoy the crisp air, and relax to Iron & Wine.