Weed Garden

by Iron & Wine

Overview

Weed Garden was recorded during the tour for 2017's Beast Epic. Sam Beam had a few songs left over from the writing sessions for the record that he didn't want to go to waste, so he took the band into the studio and put them on tape. Capturing the same homey, acoustic sound that gave Beast Epic its warm, comforting feel, the six-song EP proves that Beam was right not to let the songs wither on the vine. He also made the right choice by using the same band, which helps give his songs a welcoming, relaxed sound. The opening "What Hurts Worse," with its almost cheerfully loping approach, could have easily fit on the album; "Last of Your Rock 'n' Roll Heroes" is a laid-back, rambling song that's a little looser than one might expect Iron & Wine to sound; and the last three songs on the EP are the kind of introspective, dreamlike ballads that sound like Van Morrison after a few bottle of Xanax, especially the beautifully melancholy "Talking to Fog." As a bonus to longtime Iron & Wine fans, the EP also contains the first official release of a live staple, "Waves of Galveston," which was first done for the A.V. Club and their State Songs project in 2013. Beam and the band give the song a typically sensitive reading, and the vocal harmonies are truly lovely. Weed Garden is a nice little diversion, and finds both Beam and the band he oversees at the top of their long-running game. ~ Tim Sendra

Product Details

Release Date:	08/31/2018
Label:	Sub Pop
UPC:	0098787125511
Rank:	60616

Tracks

1. What Hurts Worse
2. Waves of Galveston
3. Last of Your Rock 'N' Roll Heroes
4. Milkweed
5. Autumn Town Leaves
6. Talking to Fog

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Iron & Wine   Primary Artist
Sebastian Steinberg   Vocals,Bass
Rob Burger   Organ,Piano,Vocals
Joe Adamik   Drums,Vocals,Percussion
Sam Beam   Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Jim Becker   Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals,Violin,Guitar
Teddy Rankin Parker   Vocals,Cello

Technical Credits

Sebastian Steinberg   Group Member
Rob Burger   Group Member
Joe Adamik   Group Member
Richard Dodd   Mastering
Sam Beam   Artwork,Composer,Group Member,Producer
Jim Becker   Group Member
Dusty Summers   Design
Kim Black   Photography
Tom Schick   Engineer,Mixing
Teddy Rankin Parker   Group Member