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Folk rock based singer/songwriter Samuel Beam has released another musical gem. Following his low-fidelity 2002 debut, Our Endless Numbered Days is what broke Iron and Wine out of their underground indie fan base. With
drastically improved audio quality, Sam Beam is able to clearly and
successfully portray the beauty of his harmonic abilities. Think Simon and Garfunkle and the Decemberists’ acoustical child. The recording is dominated by his soft, whisper-like singing tone. Every
subtlety of his singing can be clearly heard, as it is brought into the
forefront: the pucker of his lips opening and closing, a swallow, a
deep breath, etc. Every bit of it adds together to create a handsome concoction of rolling folk. Beam’s
sister, Sara, accompanies him on some tracks, adding gorgeous harmonies
to support his brother’s incredibly powerful, yet subtle voice. The
lyrics are incredibly poetic, containing beautiful similes and
metaphors such as “Papa died while my / Girl Lady Edith was born / Both
heads fell / Like a crack in the door”. But equally as important is what is occurring in the backdrop. Beam’s guitar lines and chord structures perfectly convey what Beam is singing about. For instance, in Sunset Soon Forgotten, the guitar line really portrays a sense of reflection. The line is uncommonly timed, and is not fully resolved until the end. “Down and down / once again” is stressed by a slide which slowly drops off. Altogether, Iron & Wine’s Our Endless Numbered Days is an utterly calm, reflective album. It is very quiet and subtle, but almost very busy at the same time. The poetic, literary lyrics are incredibly dense, while the guitar generally artfully accompanies the gorgeous voicings. Overall, the album could not get any more elegantly articulate. Tour dates:
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November 13, 2008
Toronto, Ontario | Phoenix Concert Theatre
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November 14, 2008
Buffalo, NY | Asbury Hall (inside Babeville)
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November 15, 2008
Northampton, MA | Pearl Street
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November 16, 2008
Providence, RI | Lupo's
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November 17, 2008
New York City, NY | Terminal Five
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November 18, 2008
Baltimore, MD | Ram's Head Live
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November 19, 2008
Norfolk, VA | The Norva
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November 20, 2008
Asheville, NC | Orange Peel
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November 21, 2008
Knoxville, TN | Bijou Theater
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November 22, 2008
Birmingham, AL | Work Play
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November 23, 2008
Nashville, TN | Ryman Auditorium
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