This is the first album since leaving Sub Pop, a way that more and more groups chosen (The Thermals, Band of Horses, etc. ..) because the impact of Sub Pop in Europe is very marginal.
Besides, I'm quite surprised to learn of Iron & Wine to almost everyone, I thought it was pretty well known, but it is not. In France, nobody knows except for some folkeux warned that recognize themselves.
His voice, fingerpicking, and the importance to both dedicated songs are only words that Sam Beam is a character that counts in the world of American songwriting in the 2000s: Each new album is something I am very closely.
Tracklist:
1. Walking Far From Home
2. Me And Lazarus
3. Tree By The River
4. Monkeys Uptown
5. Half Moon
6. Will Run Rabbit
7. Godless Brother In Love
8. Big Hand Burned
9. Glad Man Singing
10. Your Fake Name Is Good Enough For Me As
for every singer-songwriter, doing only the basic music (but where they excel) tired pretty quickly. Sam Beam is trying so over the years to create new songs, by adding to arrangements to give a special atmosphere.
Right now, the big fashion is to electro, all singer-songwriters in this genre are there (Sufjan Stevens, Destroyer). It was unclear how
Sam Beam, with his The Creek Drank The Saddle sounding very folk-alt country could touch the electronic one day. Over time, the music of Sam Beam has evolved with the release of the excellent The Shepherd's Dog in 2007, with a tinge African and a completely different atmosphere.
For Sam Beam did not stop in so good way. With Kiss Each Other Clean , it shows us clearly, through the opening Walking Far From Home it wishes go out to a horizon filled with synthesizers and new sounds.
In contrast, there is still disoriented by her sweet voice, beautiful harmonies and a breathtaking ending.
Where I really struggled to hang it on the pieces as monotonous as Me & Lazarus, Big Hands Burned or Monkeys Uptown that has redundant arrangements that hide the lack of interest in the songs themselves.
Note again the presence of the saxophone, the fashion in early 2011! Sam, you got me accustomed to much better ...
For cons, I really think these songs would be much better spent with me if he had kept the arrangements Afrobeat as synthesizers.
Fortunately, I recognize that I like Iron & Wine with wonders like Tree By The River or Half Moon, which have tremendous arrangements (xylophone, vocals, synthesizers, and ... low! very rare in Iron & Wine).
Half Moon (Live on Jimmy Fallon)
With Sam, I was used for a sublime album ( Flightless Bird, American Mouth or Passing Afternoon ) and the last 2 are probably the best of this album.
Glad Man Singing is a big demonstration of the potential Voice of the famous bearded, with such intensity that I stayed 5 minutes before resuming my spirits during his Daytrotter session . The arrangements are also very beautiful, hats off Sam!
The river song of the album, Fake Your Name Is Good Enough For Me is a song showing that Iron & Wine is still one of the greatest singer-songwriters of our time. A summary of the album sounds through the ubiquitous saxophone and a song in 2 parts: upbeat and a big decrescendo where Sam sings in a loop so hypnotic and interminable, like The Trapeze Swinger .
To listen: Walking Far From Home, Tree By The River, Half Moon Godless Brother In Love, Glad Singing Man, Your Fake Name Is Good Enough For Me
Verdict:
Kiss Each Other Clean continuous opening The Shepherd's Dog with an album sounding a bit more than I wanted but is still quite disappointing in some songs.
One may wonder if it really was worth the shot to be always in constant search of arrangements for his songs, especially when we know what it is worth only an acoustic guitar. I personally prefer
Sat alone with his guitar, wooded atmosphere that emerges but also the intensity of her singing. By adding redundant arrangements, I find that the songs lose their magic.
This album is still very much above average, I do not appreciate it as much as The Shepherd's Dog or Our Endless Numbered Days but the quality is there. Sam remains still one of the most talented singers on whom America can count on.
It will be at the Alhambra February 17, again but inevitable, especially since his visits are quite rare in Paris.
8 / 10
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