The Creek Drank the Cradle

• Artist: Iron & Wine
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 24, 2002
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

Iron and Wine's debut record, The Creek Drank the Cradle, is written, produced, and performed by Sam Beam and features only Beam's voice, a gently strummed acoustic guitar, some slide guitar, and the occasional banjo. Iron and Wine creates intimate and emotional songs, recorded bedroom-style but never letting the lo-fi get in the way of the tune. The obvious comparison has to be Lou Barlow/Sebadoh/Sentridoh, as they share the same breathy voice, melancholy outlook on life, and devotion to Nick Drake. The difference is that there are no traces of punk rock or noise for the sake of noise in Iron and Wine's music. Beam isn't interested in rocking out or obscuring the beauty that bursts from within his simple songs; he embraces it and lets his sadness twist in the wind for all to see. Besides, his vocal harmonies are more soft rock than punk rock. "Lion's Mane" opens the record and immediately takes your breath away as Beam's voice is so beautiful and his hooks are razor sharp. Every song that follows is just as memorable, Beam sounding positively angelic as he harmonizes with himself. "The Rooster Moans" is a chilling side trip into Appalachian folk; "Southern Anthem" a falsetto-led indie-gospel track with an absolutely soaring chorus. The simple musical backing never gets boring either, as there are musical hooks to match the vocal hooks -- the banjo in "Lion's Mane," the double-tracked repeating slide at the end of "Faded from the Winter," the gently chugging rhythm of "Upward Over the Mountain." As soon as the almost jaunty, Neil Young-esque album closer, "Muddy Hymnal," ends, you'll want to hit repeat and start again. The Creek Drank the Cradle is a stunning debut and one of the best records of 2002. ~Tim Sendra, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Lion's Mane	Sam Beam	Iron & Wine	(2:49)
Bird Stealing Bread	Sam Beam	Iron & Wine	(4:21)
Faded from the Winter	Sam Beam	Iron & Wine	(3:17)
Promising Light	Sam Beam	Iron & Wine	(2:49)
The Rooster Moans	Sam Beam	Iron & Wine	(3:24)
Upward Over the Mountain	Sam Beam	Iron & Wine	(5:56)
Southern Anthem	Sam Beam	Iron & Wine	(3:54)
An Angry Blade	Sam Beam	Iron & Wine	(3:48)
Weary Memory	Sam Beam	Iron & Wine	(4:01)
Promise What You Will	Sam Beam	Iron & Wine	(2:24)
Muddy Hymnal	Sam Beam	Iron & Wine	(2:43)

Credits

Samuel Beam (Engineer), Rick Fisher (Mastering), Kim Black (Etching), Samuel Beam (Engineer), Samuel Beam (Photography), Samuel Beam (Producer), Samuel Beam (Producer), Jesse LeDoux (Design)

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