Trust me when I say The Shepherd’s Dog, the forthcoming album from indie folkster Sam Beam, otherwise known as Iron & Wine, is his finest effort by far. Therefore, the natural, and correct, conclusion would be that Boy With A Coin is fantastic simply by association with Shepherd’s recording sessions.
All three tracks on Boy With A Coin showcase Beam’s maturing textures and impressive understanding of sonic layers, samples, and instrumentation without being over the top. Light guitar work and Caribbean drums serve as a triumphant procession on opener “Carried Home”, properly introducing the established Beam. Title track and lead single from Shepherd’s Dog “Boy With A Coin” follows suit with tribal rhythms and Beam’s signature whispered vocal among handclaps and impressive guitar work. The haunting vocal harmonies meld perfectly with the spiritual feeling evoked by the song.
“Kingdom of the Animals” ends things on a lighthearted note and showcases a loungy, piano-driven side that will be new to Iron & Wine fans. It’s slightly out of place on the single, yet it’s still a fun turn from Beam’s normally staid tones. All said, Boy With A Coin is the ideal glimpse into the brilliant music Sam Beam is beginning to make.
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