Our Endless Numbered Days

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Barnes & Noble - David Sprague
Much like kindred spirit Will Oldham -- who's hidden behind monikers ranging from Palace Music to Bonnie Prince Billy -- Miami-based Sam Beam has chosen to cloak his rustic folk musings in the guise of a "band" called Iron & Wine. But unless you get bogged down in the semantics, it's virtually impossible not to get drawn in by the songs on this, the second Iron & Wine album. Beam has a thing for Appalachiana -- as evidenced by the cryptically spiritual, banjo-laced "Cinder and Smoke" -- but he doesn't let geography limit his meanderings. "Teeth in the Grass," for instance, doesn't alter the instrumentation noticeably, but the arrangement brings to mind a foray ...
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - David Sprague
Much like kindred spirit Will Oldham -- who's hidden behind monikers ranging from Palace Music to Bonnie Prince Billy -- Miami-based Sam Beam has chosen to cloak his rustic folk musings in the guise of a "band" called Iron & Wine. But unless you get bogged down in the semantics, it's virtually impossible not to get drawn in by the songs on this, the second Iron & Wine album. Beam has a thing for Appalachiana -- as evidenced by the cryptically spiritual, banjo-laced "Cinder and Smoke" -- but he doesn't let geography limit his meanderings. "Teeth in the Grass," for instance, doesn't alter the instrumentation noticeably, but the arrangement brings to mind a foray into the Far East, specifically Japan. In contrast to 2002's near-naked The Creek Drank the Cradle, this outing finds Beam broadening his palette a bit -- adding his sister Sara as background vocalist on a handful of songs and sliding a light carpet of drums beneath the mournful "Free Until They Cut Me Down." At the core, however, the songs remain the same -- plaintive and pessimistic, sadly beautiful until the bittersweet end.
All Music Guide - Tim Sendra
On Our Endless Numbered Days, the follow-up to 2002's stunningly good Creek Drank the Cradle, the sound of Iron & Wine has changed but the song remains the same. No longer does Sam Beam record his intimate songs in the intimate surroundings of his home. Instead he has made the jump to the recording studio. As a result the record is much cleaner, less cocoon-like, certainly more the product of someone who has become a professional musician and not someone who just records for fun on a four-track. However, all Beam has sacrificed is sound quality. The sound of the record is still very intimate and simple, with very subtle arrangements that leave his voice and lyrics as the focal point. Luckily all the technology in the world can't affect Beam's voice, which still sounds like it comes right from his lips into your ear as if he were an angel perched on your shoulder. His songs are still as strong and memorable as they were on Creek, no drop off whatsoever in quality. "Naked as We Came" with sparkling melody lovely background harmonies by his sister Sarah; the aching folk ballad "Radio War," which wouldn't sound out of place on Prairie Home Companion, only it would be the best thing you ever heard there; the sad and sweet "Each Coming Night"; the crystalline acoustic guitar ballad "Fever Dream," which has the kind of vocal harmony between Beam and his sister that seems to be the exclusive domain of siblings; and the soft rock CSNY "Sodom, South Georgia" are the equal of anything on Iron & Wine's debut and match up well with anything Palace, Smog, or their ilk have done lately. A definite plus to recording in a studio and enlisting the help of outside musicians is that there is much more variety to the album and there are lots of small production touches that liven things up like the Native American chants at the close of "Cinder and Smoke," the pedal steel guitar on "Sunset Soon Forgotten," and the drums and tambourine on the bluesy "Free Until They Cut Me Down." Our Endless Numbered Days is very subdued, thoughtful, melodic, and downright beautiful album and the new sound is more of a progression than a sudden shift in values, production or otherwise. Anyone who found the first album to be wonderful will no doubt feel the same about this one. Heck, you might even like it more.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 3/23/2004
  • Label: Sub Pop
  • UPC: 098787063028
  • Catalog Number: 630
  • Sales rank: 9,270

Album Credits

Performance Credits
Iron & Wine Primary Artist
Brian Deck Group Member
Pat McKinney Group Member
Jonathan Bradley Group Member
Sam Beam Group Member
Sarah Beam Group Member
EJ Holowicki Group Member
Technical Credits
Sam Beam Composer
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Sort by: Showing all of 8 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    The Shepherd's Dog

    Unsurprisingly Amazing

    This is the second album I have purchased, and I love it. Deep, meaningful, touching, memorable, and addicting.
    Iron & Wine has come to be my therapy.
    Perfect. I wouldn't change a thing.
    Thank you Sam Beam, for sharing your gift.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    The Shepherd's Dog
    Impossible Dream
    Trouble

    Awesome in so many ways...

    I absolutely love this album. He is an awesome songwriter, and has the perfect voice for his soulful lyrics. Very moving and definitely bittersweet, just like you've come to expect from him. Love it!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Simply amazing

    This CD is perfect. From beginning to end, the hushed, gentle vocals and literate, poetry-driven songwriting compelled me to listen. Sam Beam really strikes a nerve and brings a new flavor to the cliched acoustic singer/songwriter. His songs are brilliant and this album ranks as one of my all-time favorites. I can turn this CD on and close my eyes and I forget where and who I am. That is my definition of a good album and this CD fits it perfectly. Buy this CD.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Excellent

    This is an amazing acoustic album. Samuel Beam is a very talented and unique musician and glistens as an extravagent indie, folk artist. He is very creative and his music/lyrics are very deep and inspiring. You must buy his stuff and any other similar artist.

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    Posted July 24, 2010

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    Posted May 5, 2009

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    Posted December 19, 2010

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    Posted November 22, 2009

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Sort by: Showing all of 8 Customer Reviews