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Rating: About a year ago, the fourth album, excluding EPs and various collaborations, of Sam Beam, alias Iron & Wine, was released. A true mature album for this extraordinary artist who continues the conversation left in the previous splendid "The Shepherd's Dog" of 2007.
Already then he had moved away from the very essential bucolic beginnings of the first two notable works. As in the previous one, in this latest work, he employs a wide sonic kaleidoscope, ranging from blues to jazz, from psychedelia to folk with free brass and percussion and choirs doubling the singer-songwriter's voice. The electronics are not redundant but essential and enhance the splendid melodies of this work. Compared to previous records, there is the impression that the voice is more focused and sings better. An album to listen to all in one breath, the tracks are splendid, and it's hard to point out one above all, perhaps the stunning ballad "Tree by the River" stands slightly above the others.
Among the albums I purchased in 2011, it's absolutely my favorite. The album cover is crafted by Sam Beam himself as always. A must-have and endlessly listenable like the "become" of the final track repeated obsessively.
Tracklist and Videos
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