Featured Artist - Iron & Wine

WHO ARE THEY?

Oh so many times in the last five years, the conversation goes like this:   "Who've you been listening to?"  To Which, I reply "IRON & WINE".  Nearly always, the response is "Who are they????"

 Iron & Wine initially represented SAM BEAM, a singer/songwriter out from the South, who now resides in Austin, TX.  Now, especially with the latest album, Kiss Each Other Clean, Iron & Wine represent a larger collection of musicians, more representative of the full sound that Iron & Wine albums are offering recently.

the Postal Service with their original 'Such Great Heights'


The bands exposure has been tough to track, as far as why should you know the Iron & Wine.  Sub Pop label mate the Postal Service, featured Iron & Wine on their 'Such Great Heights' single, in 2003.  At that time the band only had their debut and an E.P. to show.  In 2004 soon after the release of Our Endless Numbered Days, Iron & Wine started to get some major exposure through film & television soundtracks. 

The biggest reason you should know Iron & Wine is the Garden State Soundtrack, in which the 'Such Great Heights' cover is perfectly matched with other indie greats The Shins, Frou Frou (Imogen Heap), Remy Zero & the Cary Brothers.  Also featured are Hall of fame indie Simon & Garfunkel & Nick Drake.  Personally this album (Thanks Lee!!!!!!!!!) single-handedly changed my musical preferences for the next half decade, giving me a new favorite band, and a genre to explore to new heights.

Three years later, The Shepherd's Dog came out and although Iron & Wine had been featured on  Grey's Anatomy, The L Word, and Friday Night Light's, the 2008 single 'Flightless Bird, American Mouth', featured in the Twilight movie and soundtrack, may be its best break.

'Flightless Bird, American Mouth' by Iron & Wine, in the back ground of Twillight

So What Are They Like???

Up until this year, Iron & Wine had been known for such beautiful & breathy songs featuring Sam & his guitar.  Our Endless Numbered Days would have to be the premier album of this period.   It is the perfect album for enjoying a quiet day at home, for relaxing in bed, or for a long drive.  It is really amazing the range you can have, simply varying vocal techniques and guitar playing.  Top songs include 'Naked As We Came', 'Sodom, South Georgia', 'Sunset Soon Forgotten', and 'Free Until they Cut Me Down'.

Woman King E.P. is slight uptick on the tempo and brings forward gems 'Jezebel', 'Gray Stables', 'Evening on the Ground (Lilith's Song)', and the title track 'Woman King'

Another chill favorite for many, and now end of show staple (see Austin City Limits encore below) is "Trapeze Swinger' which was released in '06 on an iTunes exclusive or later on in '09 on a B-sides collection Around the Well. 

'Trapeze Swinger' by Iron & Wine featured on Austin City Limits

Watch the full episode. See more Austin City Limits.

Sam Beam branched out with Calexico on 2005's In the Reins which contains the awesome 'History of Lovers'.   Again, the sound took new shape with Iron & Wine's 2007 album the Shepherd's Dog, as many new instruments began to show up in the songs.  The 2011 Kiss Each Other Clean also brought a full band into the fold, and equally for the live shows as well.   If you look online you can find both stripped and full versions of most songs on each Shepherd's Dog and Kiss Each Other Clean.  Many performances found online still just feature Sam Beam, and sometimes his sister.  On the band's website, a Fall 07 release was a free download for Sam only versions of selected Shepherd's Dog  tracks.  Many album preview spots for Kiss Each Other Clean feature simpler versions as well.  


Many Iron & Wine fans have felt the new album, especially, to be blasphemous with new full band, but after some simmering, Kiss Each Other Clean still comes down to Sam Beam weaving his beautiful lyrics to a great tune.  At the end of the Iron & Wine Rolling Stone  spot below, Sam explains his thoughts behind the varying compositions.

My pre 2011 Iron & Wine favorites (in no particular order)

1. Naked As We Came
2. Resurrection Fern (Fall '07 version)
3. Flightless Bird, American Mouth
4. Devil Never Sleeps Alone
5. History of Lovers
6. Boy With A Coin
7. Jezebel
8. Woman King
9. Free Until They Cut Me Down
10. Sodom, South Georgia
11. Grey Stables
12. Pagan Angel, Borrowed Car
13. Belated Promise Ring

If I had to pick a favorite all time Iron & Wine track, I would have to go with 'Boy With A Coin'.  Personally that is such a wonderful song, a brilliant video, and also a life saver.  When my daughter Molly was colicky, it was the only song that kept us sane.

'Boy With A Coin' by Iron & Wine


Kiss Each Other Clean , is simply outstanding.  I had been watching any pre-release video I could, and after hearing each composition in three to four ways, I really am attached to this new release.   I highly recommend checking out some of the previews before diving into the new album. 

Iron & Wine (Sam Beam with Rosie Thomas) previewing Kiss Each Other Clean

(this you can get free from his site.. 'Godless Brother in Love' at the 5:00 mark is fantastic!)

My recent favorites (mostly from Around the Well and Kiss Each Other Clean)

1. Trapeze Swinger
2. Love Vigilates
3. Serpent Charmer
4. Godless Brother in Love
5. Glad Man Singing
6. Tree By the River
7. Summer in Savannah

So, now you know more about my favorite band of the last 5 years,Iron & Wine.  Special thanks to Lee for first bringing them to my attention, and to my brother in-law, Mark for being aware of this special band and sharing the music!

Go forth and conquer!!  Please check out the Iron & Wine tour page, as they are coming to a town near you and likely to become SOLD OUT!!

For more info on Iron & Wine check out:
www.ironandwine.com
wiki/Sam_Beam
wiki/Such_Great_Heights


If you aren't into podcasts and want FREE Iron & Wine recordings:
iron-and-wine-tiny-desk
Rolling-Stone-live-Iron-and-Wines-Sam-Beam-plays-acoustic-versions-of-three-new-songs

If you are into podcasts and want FREE Iron & Wine recordings:www.npr.org

Enjoy!