IRON AND WINE
The Sea And The Rhythm (Sub Pop)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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The packaging, which features a very realistic water stain, is a bit much. Yes this is a homey record, and yes folks will cherish it, and yes some will coddle it to death, and yes it will hang around, probably long enough to get a real water stain, but shouldn't that be left up to us? Lovely whispery harmonies over gently strummed pop melodies make this a highly digestive cookie. Though the pace is more of the languid variety, Iron and Wood just may be the Simon and Garfunkel of the new millennium. Well maybe just Simon since this in actuality is a one man operation (how does he come up with those harmonies?). The banjo and twang sector of alt-country requires a heart-melter, and Sam Beam could be the man.

© 2003 - John Sekerka