Around the Well

The rarities collection from Iron & Wine

The Texas performer Samuel Beam better known as Iron & Wine is hardly ever going to record any kind of mainstream music which would have a commercial success. His works have been remarkable for extreme sincerity, emotions and a special softness from the very beginning and his own philosophy has always played the leading role in his lyrics. Releasing a number of albums which have attracted the attention of the listeners to consequently form the impressive fan base Beam never ceases to perform alive sharing with everybody the joy of inspiration that seems not leave him for a single moment. Thus in less than ten years of his creative work Iron & Wine has managed to write a multitude of songs a part of which comprises his albums and live performances’ recordings. Yet there are also previously unreleased rarities and this year it is high time to make them a common property: Iron & Wine releases the collection Around The Well that covers the entire unheard material beginning from the times when Beam recorded music at home and ending today.

Original material and covers on Around The Well

The main merit of the collection Around The Well is certainly its making an overview: the songs are placed in a chronological order so one can easily trace the way Iron & Wine has been evolving with time. There are not only Sam Beam’s original songs on the record but also several cover version of well-known hits which makes the work even more interesting. The one deserving a special attention is the interpretation of New Order’s Love Vigilantes: stylish, emotional enough and very peaceful it is sure to leave nobody indifferent. The album opener is a tranquil composition Dearest Forsaken with some blues elements combining greatly with Beam’s quiet vocals. A most beautiful instrumental track Morning pleases with the sounding of country guitars so if anybody imagines morning listening to it is most probable the morning would be in the village. One of the album’s highlights is a beautiful folk composition Friends They Are Jewels whose title speaks for itself and although there is positively the majority of suchlike sincere songs in Iron & Wine’s discography this track conquers with the very first chords. The cover of Flaming Lips Waitin' For A Superman is another example of a great folk whereas Swans And The Swimming pleases with one of the most beautiful and memorable tunes on the record as well as Beam’s falsetto. One more interpretation, Postal Service’s song Such Great Heights conquers with a marvelous softness and sincerity of performance while another interesting track Carried Home more than 6 minutes long is an example of how splendid Sam’s vocals sound together with the synthesizer and piano. This unique collection closes with the longest piece The Trapeze Swinger refined with an unusual percussion, pretty audio effects and a catchy melody.

An acoustic guitar and the vocals

Sam Beam definitely does not play the last role among the contemporary folk performers. His unique vocals that is fully based on sincerity and heartfelt sounding makes his unusual songs real crystals and their content always makes one reflect. As for the rare material presented on the new album it is of a special interest for the singer’s fans. Around The Well’s 23 tracks cover all Iron & Wine’s creations and please with both rough recording of the beginning of his career and the clearer sound of a better quality when it comes to the later works. The songs’ varied length also surprises and conquers at the same time. It makes the record more dynamic especially taking into account Sam Beam’s rather specific manner of performance. An acoustic guitar and the vocals are certainly the main components of the artist’s creative work and they are simply shining on Around The Well as are surely going to be on all of his following works.