Iron & Wine – Ghost on Ghost
Review by Claire Pope
Indie rocker Sam Beam, better known by his stage name, Iron &Wine, burst onto the scene in 2002 with his debut album The Creek Drank the Cradle. Over a decade later, his heartbreaking lyrics and melancholy melodies continue to soothe and entertain listeners with his new album Ghost on Ghost.
This new album takes a hard turn from Beam’s past albums, by introducing a lighter and more blissful feel. Definitely the most radio-friendly Iron & Wine album to date, but don’t let that turn you indie purists off! The sound is still undoubtedly Iron & Wine,—employing his trademark whispers and folk influences– but with a happier, jazz- pop twist.
The album kicks off with “Caught in the Briars” which conjures images of summer days with a beautiful girl “free as a morning bird, fragile as china,” in South Carolina. The song’s light and breezy feel is accomplished by Iron & Wine’s trademark acoustic guitar and silky vocals with the addition of a jazzy horns section and some nice backing “oohs” and “ahhs”. The eclectic jazz intro and outro, complete with ecstatic drumming and a fleeting horn section, provide just a taste of what the album has in store.
“The Desert Babbler”, “Grace For Saints And Ramblers”, “Sundown (Back In The Briars)” and “New Mexico’s No Breeze” keeps the feel-good vibe going with even more “oohs” and “ahhs” and even some choice “badada’s”. However, song lyrics like “California’s gonna kill you soon,” and “The sky fell apart. In the rain I heard your heart,” contrast against the chipper tunes and stick out as decidedly morose and definitely Iron & Wine.
The album reverts back to Iron & Wine’s signature ballads at times, like in the heartwarming and uplifting “Joy” or the beautiful “Winter Prayers”. They are definitely the kind of shiver-inducing ballads that you can close your eyes and breathe to. However, many of the more dramatic songs take on an almost cinematic twist created by prominent bass lines and alto sax, like in “Grass Widows”. The best example of this, however, is “Singers And The Endless Song” which sounds like the youthful anthem of a rebellious youth. The infectious beat and rumbling bass are accompanied by exhilarating lyrics like the refrain “’Cause the music never lasts too long for the singers and the endless song”. The dramatic progression this album sees greatly enhances Iron & Wine’s style and sound and expands Beam’s musical repertoire as a whole.
Ghost on Ghost as a whole is very strong, varied album. It shows off Beam’s versatility as a musician and his willingness to take risks. The subtle additions of cheery choral vocals and bouncy instrumentals give the whole album an almost vintage feel, and produce some very solid tracks. If it weren’t for these risks the album would definitely not be as astounding and enjoyable as it is. Although it’s not likely that we’ll be giving up our old Iron & Wine albums any time soon, I will happily trade in my tear soaked tissues for my dancing shoes on this one.
Overall Rating: 5/5
Recommended Tracks: “Singers And The Endless Song,” “Caught In the Briars”
and “Winter Prayers”
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