• Artist: Iron And Wine
• Album: Boy With A Coin
• Label: Sub Pop
• Release: 2007
• Links: Official Site

Sam Beam returns with his first release since In The Reins, his 2005 collaboration with Calexico. Boy With A Coin is the first single from The Shepherd’s Dog, Beam’s third album, which will be released in September. Aside from the lead cut, this single also contains two songs (”Carried Home,” “Kingdom Of The Animals”) from the full length sessions that didn’t make the cut. Boy With A Coin picks up where the Woman King EP left off. Beam continues to reveal his soulful influences through broader arrangements.

To be honest, when I put this album in, it was probably the first time I had listened to Iron And Wine since Woman King was released. It wasn’t that I didn’t like that release, or its predecessor, Our Endless Numbered Days. I just didn’t feel the need to listen to Iron And Wine. It is possible that I was worn out by the Beam hype. However, as I listen to Boy With A Coin, I am left with a great sense of anticipation for The Shepherd’s Dog. Iron And Wine sounds fresh to me again.

“Carried Home” is promising when considering that it wasn’t deemed acceptable for the full length. Beam sounds as ambitious as ever and the drawn-out interlude that ends the song is exceptional. If you strip away the percussion and sonic flourishes, “Boy With A Coin” is classic Iron And Wine. These flourishes add a complimentary dimension to Beam’s music. Beam’s lyrics are still eloquent and his voice remains outstanding.

The piano-led “Kingdom Of The Animals” is the lesser of the three songs included. It is enjoyable, but not something I’d put on a highlight reel. These songs may not satisfy those who miss the style of Beam’s lo-fi material, but an artist can’t stay the same forever. Beam realizes that the evolution of an artist is important and this is a promising direction for him to head in. With that said, Boy With A Coin bodes well for The Shepherd’s Dog.

(6/30/07)

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