Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog

A Big Fan

This is what I would expect from Iron and Wine- another great album. They take chances- chances that always work for me. The combo of fabulous lyrics and great melodies remind me of a new artist Arrica Rose I just came across in her new CD La La Lost Both alternative folk with uniques styles. September 10, 2008

Phenomenal album from an artist and genre I usually don't like

I generally can't stand this whole singer/songwriter guy-with-a-guitar-and-no-energy move in music--so dull, packed with sensitive shoegazers lacking self-esteem and passion. But I've finally found a disc that I not only like, but can't seem to stop listening to. Iron and Wine, on this album, adeptly push the envelope of the genre, incorporating creative instrumentation, rhythms, catchy and digestible melodies, and even energy (!). Bravo, Sam Beam, you've converted a skeptic! Keep this up! July 25, 2008

Sam Beam embraces the joy of a full band

Sam Beam, the once upon a time one-man band behind the Iron and Wine moniker, has finally and fully embraced the sound of a full band, perhaps spurred on by his collaborations with Calexia since the previous album, 2005's "In the Reins", that tipped its toes in this water and previewed this evolution. The departure from the band's early work heard here is quite dramatic, yet satisfying.

"The Shepherd's Dog" (12 tracks, 50 min.) starts off with an exuberant "Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car". "Lovesong of the Buzzard" is equally entrancing. Yes of course there are still 'quite' songs, such as the beautiful "Carousel" and "Resurrection Sound", but even in those songs you can feel a full band's embrace. Other highlights for me include "Wolves (Songs of the Shepherd's Dog)", which reminds me of Peter Gabriel's world music sound, just beautiful, and the brooding "Peace Beneath the City". In all, there really is no weak track on here, and it is (for me) the best album of Iron and Wine to date. Can't wait to see where these guys will go from here. If you are wondering where I hear their music, check out WOXY (BAM! The Future of Rock and Roll!), the internet-only but best source for indie-music in the country, bar none.

Iron and Wine was one of those bands that I had been wanting to see for a long time, particularly since this album came out last Fall. Well I finally did catch them last month at Bonnaroo, and they put on a fantastic 80 min. set, primarily bringing songs from "The Shepherd's Dog", and it was one of the best sets of Bonnaroo for me. (As an added bonus, my daughter bought a great Iron and Wine T-shirt for me for Father's Day while we were there!) Meanwhile, "The Shepherd's Dog" is highly recommended! July 12, 2008

Not the Same old Sam...which is good

Of Iron & Wine's three full-length albums, I probably like this one least. I don't regret purchasing it in the slightest; you just have to admit it was up against some stiff competition. (In the interest of full disclosure, Woman King is my favorite I&W Recording) There are some truly groundbreaking things on here, particularly "White Toothed Man," "Flightless Bird, American Mouth," "Carousel," and "Boy With a Coin." Sam Beam is digging deeper into his bag of studio-experimentation tricks, leading me to wonder if it'll ever have a bottom. The instrumentation gets more varied and exotic (I believe I heard a pedal-steel guitar through a wah-wah on Boy with a Coin! Coupled with that flamenco-y beat, no less).

Even so, I won't name names, but I did find a few clunkers on here. Inevitable, I guess, given the wide amount of field he's covering. Maybe years on I will give 'em another listen and feel differently. I will say that each song has its own unique texture. And even the misses are not THAT bad. I will say that I think "The Devil Never Sleeps" would be great if someone else covered it. I love Sam Beam's voice, but he seems out of place amidst the rollicking piano and stompin' beat.

All in all, I liked it a lot. Worth picking up for just the four I mentioned, as well as several other solid tracks. Just keep an open mind, and don't expect the same old sam. June 29, 2008

Wow!!

This is my first cd by Iron and Wine, and all I can say is WOW! This cd is great. A perfect blend of instruments and vocals. I will be purchasing the "In the Reigns" LP soon! June 16, 2008

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