James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
Sam Beam, better known by stage name Iron and Wine (supposedly Beam took the name from a dietary supplement) does not look like he should have the voice he does. With his big beard and long locks you can’t help feeling he’d be more at home in a grunge metal band than making gorgeously mellow music. But that he does, and new album, his debut on a major record label, Kiss Each Other Clean is no exception.
The album kicks off with ‘Walking Far From Home’ in which Beam’s gentle vocals carry the otherwise simple song. The stunning album uses more electronics that his previous albums, much to some fan’s displeasure. However it has allowed him to create a wider variety of songs. ‘Monkeys Uptown’ picks the pace of the album up, along with some stunning use of a xylophone, followed by ‘Half Moon’, which has a definite country feel thanks to the twanging use of guitars.
Each track on the album tells a different story. ‘Tree By The River’ takes the listener back to Beam’s teenage years, whilst ‘Godless Brother’ is a heart wrenching tale. However, followed by the jazzy, funky ‘Big Burned Hand’ the listener quickly forgets the pain heard in Beam’s vocals. Final track on the album, ‘Your Fake Name Is Good Enough For Me’ has a bouncy, energetic start, but builds to a gentler climax that gives Kiss Each Other Clean a satisfying end.
Overall Kiss Each Other Clean feels like Beam is giving the listener a lucky glimpse into his past, present and future. The result is wonderful mix of soothing lyrics, gentle guitars and echoing backing vocals, creating a captivating listen.
Like it? Try Bon Iver, Elliott Smith or Nick Drake
Kiss Each Other Clean – Out Now - ★★★★☆
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