Iron & Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days

Rob Babcock · « **on:** 27 May 2005, 08:28 am »

After reading several rave reviews I finally picked this one up, and I must say it's exceptional. Iron & Wine is essentially just Sam Beam and his trusty tape machine. The music is very southern and folksy, with some country nods, and all acoustic. Vocally Beam sounds a bit like Neil Yound, and maybe a little CSN&Y. The songs are deceptively simple sounding, but his lyrics are really superb- he has a very poetic style while totally avoiding cliches. The songs deal in very simply themes like love, life & death. It's hard to really describe the music, but not at all hard to appreciate it.

Christof · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 May 2005, 12:16 pm »

For something similar but a little more shifty check out Palace Brothers or Will Oldham. Enjoy the Wine.

c.

BillyM · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 06:01 pm »

I've been enjoying this one plenty. I'm glad he's finally getting the exposure he deserves.

(his other cd's are good too)

--BillyM

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 07:36 pm »

I've been spending a lot of time with Our Endless Numbered Days lately, and I'm liking more with each listen. Definately I'll have to pick up the rest of his material.

Christof · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 Aug 2005, 02:07 pm »

Rob

Have you checked out their collaboration with Calexico from Tucson called "In the Reins"....Sam Beam's vocals with Calexico backing....very nice recording.

c.

arthurs · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Aug 2005, 01:49 am »

Cinder and Smoke and Fever Dream are two of the most haunting songs I've ever heard....this is really good music folks, own it.

jon_010101 · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Sep 2005, 10:10 pm »

Fantastic album...

Palace / Bonnie "Prince" Billy / Will Oldham and also Calexico are definitely great suggestions. Neko Case of New Pornographers did some fantastic fantastic bluesy/jazzy/country stuff with Calexico backing... in addition to being ungodly attractive

she has a great voice and some good songs.

Although a bit less folky and more rockin', I'd also take a look at Songs:Ohia / Magnolia Electric Co. / Jason Molina for dark and somewhat-country-esq music. Saw them live a few weeks ago in an awful hot church basement and the band paid to buy everyone bottled water...great guys and great music.

Also, Red House Painters / Sun Kil Moon / Mark Kozelek too, similar to the above. May also be interested to check out Sufjan Stevens who has been doing Americana albums themed on different states (Michigan, Illinois). Any of the above is to likely to be great music that is nicely recorded.

I'd suggest checking out reviews because all of these artists have cooked up many albums... some which are better than others

With that in mind, I don't think you can go wrong with the following (although you might end up depressed in a few cases):

I see a Darkness (Bonnie Prince Billy)
Feast of Wire (Calexico)
Ghosts of the Great Highway (Sun Kil Moon)
Seven Swans (or a state album -- Sufjan Stevens)
Magnolia Electric Co (Songs: Ohia)
Ocean Beach (Red House Painters)
Blacklisted (Neko Case)

bluewax · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Sep 2005, 10:44 pm »

I'd add on to this list several additional names -- Vic Chesnutt, Low, Dirty Three, and Will Johnson (specifically his solo and South San Gabriel work; the Centro-Matic releases aren't quite as haunting).

Cheers, bw

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Sep 2005, 11:45 pm »

Neko Case has been on my short list of stuff to buy for awhile, I just haven't gotten around to ordering it yet. I did get the rest of I&W's discs, and it's all good stuff, especially Woman King. Looks like there's some other good stuff listed that I'll have to check out, too.