Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean

Sam Beam has enviable facial hair. It is worth noting that even with his angelic voice and masterful song-writing it's his beard that invokes in me the most profound jealousy. It's that good.

His new album (January 25th on Warner Bros.) continues the progress towards complex, layered songs that he began with 2007's The Shephard's Dog. Previous efforts have been primarily acoustic guitar affairs and, while great, his latest is an even further departure with the addition of a full backing band. I have seen some reviews complaining that it is too much of a departure, but I'm enjoying the more complex arrangements that his new sound offers. Here's two standouts:

Walking Far From Home
Half Moon



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