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Iron & Wine

Well I used my last 11 free iTunes songs the other night to purchase & Wine”>Iron & Wine’s first album, <i>The Creek Drank the Cradle</i>. I should tell you at this point, if you don’t already know, Iron & Wine is actually just one person. Sam Beam. So far I must say I really like the album. It reminds me a good deal of Nick Drake. Similar guitar sound (although nowhere nearly as reservedly-powerful as Nick was), and similar quiet, almost whispered, singing (although nowhere nearly as depressive as Nick was). He seems to use alternate tunings a good bit, which provides really nice finger-picking sounds.

I first heard about Iron & Wine when I saw the movie Garden State. Iron & Wine does a remake of the song “Such Great Heights”. Which, sonically, is completely different from The Postal Service’s version.

This album also has a lo-fi sound to it. Which, to me, actually adds to the listening experience.

Finally, here are the words to “Faded from the Winter,” it really has a powerful impact when heard in the song:

“Faded from the Winter”
Words and Music by Sam Beam

daddy’s ghost behind you
sleeping dog beside you
you’re a poem of mystery
you’re the prayer inside me

spoken words like moonlight
you’re the voice that i like

needlework & seedlings
in the way you’re walking
to me from the timbers
faded from the winter

Beautiful.