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Iron and Wine Our Endless Numbered Days Released in 2004 9.4/10 Styles Lo-Fi Singer/Songwriter Folk Song Highlights Naked as We Came Teeth in the Grass Free Until They Cut Me Down |
Sam Beam, aka Iron and Wine, writes gentle lo-fi folk music, in the traditional singer/songwriter style. His songs are saturated with a warm, authentic roots and blues feeling, which is interesting when you take into account the fact that Beam himself is a cinematography lecturer from Miami (and not a penniless delta blues singer from some backwater town). His first album, 2002's The Creek Drank the Cradle, was recorded in Beam's bedroom on his 4 track recorder, resulting in a sparse yet intimate record, with little in the way of additional instrumentation, leaving Beam's gorgeous voice and introspective lyrics as the album's focus. The Creek Drank the Cradle was an unexpected indie hit, and so for his sophmore release, Beam has relocated to the Sub Pop recording studio. Our Endless Numbered Days is the result. The increased production immediately gives the album a cleaner, more professional feel, but thankfully this does not come at the cost of the intimacy that made the first album so special. There is slightly more accompaniament this time around. Outside of Beam's excellent guitar work, there are occasional touches of percussion, pedal steel guitar and banjo. However, these instruments are used completely appropriately, and the temptation to use sentimentalist cliches like string sections has thankfully been avoided alltogether. Honesty and sincerity lie at the heart of Beam's songs, and they survive the progression to the recording studio fully intact. The other key factor that makes both Iron and Wine releases successful is the level of modesty in Beam's vocals. His voice is disarmingly angelic, but despite his talent (which is obvious from just one listen), he always remains grounded, avoiding any form of theatrics or egotistical posturing, which further cements that intimacy. As you are absorbed by the beauty of Our Endless Numbered Days, it doesn't feel as though Beam is singing for an audience or fanbase. Rather, it sounds like each song was meticulously crafted for you, the listener, alone. The cover artwork of Our Endless Numbered Days displays a drawing of Beam, lying back on the grass, eyes closed, looking completely at peace. Combined with the album's title, it seems to suggest forgetting your worries, getting comfortable and just drifting off for a carefree afternoon in the shade doing nothing in particular. This album is quite possibly the perfect soundtrack for doing just that. Definitely one of the highlights of 2004. |