Iron & Wine - Woman King

Gosh, how can you say anything negative about Sam Beam? This man plays unassuming folk that sounds more like a lullaby, and he goes by the seductively cool moniker: Iron & Wine. Damn, he pulls the whole beard thing off as well. Cue the jealousy… Woman King is a six song EP that showcases Iron & Wine’s diversity. The title track opens on almost a tribal pace as percussion and slide guitar keep precise time. Our Endless Numbered Days has a similar opening with “On Your Wings,” but the instrumentation isn’t nearly as storytelling. Medieval images capture the mind as Sam Beam proclaims, “hundred years, hundred more someday we may see a woman king, sword in hand swing at some evil and bleed.” Track two, “Jezebel,” is the quintessential Iron & Wine lullaby singed by tender banjo solos. “Gray Stables” and “Freedom Hangs Like Heaven” features Sam Beam’s sister, Sarah, on vocals. Both tracks capture the Simon & Garfunkel sound had they been more influenced by celtic music. “In My Lady’s House” is the least instrumentally complex track on the album. Rather, emphasis is placed on the Sam & Sarah Beam harmonies. Finally, the EP ends with, perhaps, the most complex song. “Evening On the Ground” doubles the pace and incorporates a dueling violin and ELECTRIC guitar. Cap letters means I’m surprised. Nevertheless the song teeters on a more aggressive sound for Sam Beam without coming to fruition. There must be some iron behind the wine after all. Lyrically, Sam Beam explores the physical and metaphysical elements of the woman figurine, and he paints a revered picture at the same time. Things are obviously going well in Mr. Beam’s world. Cue the jealousy… [www.ironandwine.com]