BEST OF ELSEWHERE 2007 Iron and Wine: The Shepherd's Dog (SunPop/Rhythmethod)

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Iron and Wine: Lovesong of the Buzzard
BEST OF ELSEWHERE 2007 Iron and Wine: The Shepherd's Dog (SunPop/Rhythmethod)

Sam Beam -- who is Iron and Wine -- really sounds like he has hits his stride with this exceptional, engaging and folkadelic outing, and he's achieved that by just continuing on the same, mildly eccentric and determined path as he has taken on his previous albums and EPs.

This time however the songs sound more full and fully formed, the array of instruments in support -- sitar and tabla, violin, pedal steel, organ and so on -- make for a heady brew, and the whole thing has an arc where every track is distinctive yet seems to be part of a whole.

Trippy in a folksy Americana way, but certainly a trip.

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Martin - May 30, 2009

After only a tease one song listen on a Mag. CD to an excellent Iron and Wine Shepherd's Dog track I eagerly sought that album.What a pleasure,a newish genre, if you like,for me.You can't help but notice Sam's eccentricity which he weaves throughout a very solid consistent album.I saw him at the Powerstation as he promoted the album ,a more unusual night would be hard to find.They started surprisingly in a vocal only harmony, sister and brother Beam.While interesting it did strain your approval ratio,things warmed up and their originality was well received.My g.friend was underwhelmed enough to want to leave.Perplexing, certainly.Sam rambled on and busted out later on some great psychedelic guitar work,you could almost dance.His voice seems to carry and lead his tunes and although a lesson learnt for me it was a good time.

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