Search - Iron & Wine :: The Shepherd's Dog

Objectively, how can anyone not rate this 5 stars...

Ryan | SC | 08/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"... Ok so I realize we all have different tastes in music but this album is simply phenomenal. Everytime I hear Resurrection Fern or Flightless Bird I find that I have to pause for the entire song just to take it in. The beautiful melodies in Sam Beam's songs coupled with lyrics that paint such a vivid portayal of life (particularly in the American Southeast) immediately transport me to the rural backroads of the South Carolina lowcountry. Having such a specific and immediate response to these songs is something that doesn't happen often and there are only a few records I own (i.e., Lucinda Williams' 'Car Wheels on a Gravel Road' and Son Volt's 'Trace') where I can close my eyes and visualize the lyrics almost as if I was there. I also love Beam's earlier work, 'The Creek Drank the Cradle' and 'Our Endless Numbered Days' for this same reason and don't think the greater production and added instruments on 'The Shepherd's Dog' detract in any way from its charm. Quite the opposite, really. I think this album warrants greater attention and more repeated listens than his earlier work to capture the detail. Easily 5 stars."