"I can whine about it all but I won't" -Samuel E. Beam The first Iron & Wine song that I ever remember hearing was "Dead Man's Will," originally featured on the Yeti 1 compilation CD. Its hushed eloquence and unadorned beauty lent it a sort of soft power*, a triumph of instinct over overstatement. That was in 2001. In 2017, Beast Epic, Iron & Wine's fourth album of new material for Sub Pop and it's sixth overall, recasts soft power as a series of vignettes, observations and regular old songs that redeem through joy and a certain expectation of grace. Even the instant classic, "Bitter Truth, with a lyric as pained and direct as any I've heard from Iron & Wine, is leavened with background vocals recalling The Jordanaires. Sam Beam has called Beast Epic his "most personal" album to date. It is the first Iron & Wine album that he's produced since The Creek Drank The Cradle, though the results are vastly different. This album brims with surprise flourishes, classic touches and an appealing confidence that is evident on songs like "Call It Dreaming," "Thomas County Law," "About A Bruise" to the almost croony "Last Night." After a decade and a half of prodigious expression and exploration, recording as both Iron & Wine and eponymously, Sam Beam confessed that he has finally figured out how to make records. He had me fooled all along. . It's my favourite Iron & Wine album by a mile. - Jonathan Poneman Iron & Wine's Beast Epic was written and produced by Sam Beam, and recorded and engineered by Tom Schick at the Loft in Chicago in July 2016 and January 2017. The musicians who played on Beast Epic include long-time Iron & Wine collaborators Robert Burger (keys), Joe Adamik (percussion), and Jim Becker (guitar, banjo, violin, mandolin), along with bassist Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing and Fiona Apple), and Chicagoan Teddy Rankin Parker (cello). Beast Epic was mastered by Richard Dodd in Nashville, Tennessee.
A**Y
Really good
Love this artist, everyone should definitely buy
D**3
Wining and Dining
Sam Beam has always been a songwriter ive stayed interested in since I first got into Iron and Wine around the time of Keep Each Other Clean, I think Beast Epic is interesting because Sam doesnt completely go back to the acoustic routes of early albums its less of a departure from the sound of his last few albums as a solo album. For those who didnt like Ghost on Ghost or Keep Each other clean you might find this more palateable.I like all his stuff really.As with everything Sam Beam does theres too many good songs to pick out, and though I really liked Sams work with Jesca Hoop and his album with Ben Bridwell Im glad to have Iron and Wine back and so should you be.
R**T
Iron and Wine returns with catchy songs.
I've been a fan of Iron and Wine (Sam Beam) for some time. To be honest if I heard any of the tracks being played on the radio I would not have guessed it was Iron and Wine. Having said that this is a very pleasant album that could bring in a few more fans. Although back to his acoustic roots this album has a band sound with quite few catchy tunes that could get AirPlay.
O**O
This is a good album, you feel a bit more involved in ...
This is a good album, you feel a bit more involved in the music then you did in some of his other music, such as kiss each other clean. It's a bit more a return to softer music. At times it does drag (mainly on the 2nd half) but all in all it's a solid effort and a decent addition to anyone's collection.
F**S
Wonderful winter time listening
I was losing Mr Beam out of ear/sight when he started venturing into more jazzy/psych areas by adding more and more musicians and instruments, but this one finds him back in great shape, gorgeous songs, great singing, sparse but subtle playing - has been on repeat for several days and I am not getting tired of it ...
R**D
Don`t miss this.
Probably the best album i`ve heard . Sam Beams voice is almost hypnotic at times and has got better with time and the songs are superbly written . It`s one you have to just sit and listen to possibly with headphones to cocoon you .
S**
sam bean can do no wrong..
another top offering from sam bean aka iron and wine, it may not convert you but if you already like him you will love it. mellow.
T**H
His music befriends you
As a long-standing fan I think this is up with his best. See him live if the chance arises.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
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