The Decemberists have the #1 selling record in the US.

[dean_martin]

I've heard a track or two of the latest Iron & Wine. Familiar in a way, what with the distinctive vocals, but yeah, more polished, more layers of instrumentation, somewhat contemporary singer/songwriter-ish, less of the brooding folk-noir, i.e. not very 'indie' sounding. Beam may have even trimmed his beard. Not saying it sounds like a Guster album or anything, just not overtly anti-mainstream. No real reason to listen to it, unless of course you like it.

brooding folk noir - I like that. I've been calling the earlier stuff downhome spiritual and apocalyptic poetry; and, personal (almost too personal) relationship experiences.

On this new one, we still have "mother's milk in a plastic cup" and "the lion and the lamb f*cking on the back row."

What I'm picking up on musically is the influence of their touring mates, Nomo. When I saw Iron and Wine in November, Nomo opened. The horn players from Nomo joined the Iron and Wine set. Nomo's style is jazz modalities set to a groove with a little electronica thrown in. Their set was a nice compliment to Iron and Wine's, but I'm not sure the styles mesh very well which is what I'm hearing on the new one - a little bit of The Shepherd's Dog mixed with Nomo. At the live show, the Nomo horn players were playing Iron and Wine songs. On the new one, it sounds like Iron and Wine heavily influenced by Nomo.

On second listen, I'm more receptive to what's happening on this disc.

As for a Nomo recommendation - I have a copy of their 12" 45rpm called Ubiquity. Bought it at the show after their set. It features one of their standouts "Rocket #9." The whole band was gracious enough to sign the cover.

[3LB]

I liked Iron & Wine's collaboration with Calexico. The two songs I heard reminded me of that.

Speaking of Guster, I read where they had a new one out, read a couple of favorable reviews, saw it in the store, but couldn't convince myself that I needed another Guster CD.

[MasterCylinder]

There is a review of this album in our local paper today............the critic gave it an "A" while telling his audience even though we are only thirty days into this new year, he expects this might be the best new release of 2011.

[Davey]

...this might be the best new release of 2011.

This CD makes my ears hurt. Has anyone else actually listened to it? I mean sure, what do you expect the Decemeberists to sound like, most of their albums are badly compressed and harsh, even when they were indie, but who really likes this sound? I just don't understand, makes it a lot harder to appreciate when you can't enjoy listening to it, but I guess that's what you have to do these days if you wanna be on the charts.

OK, my Tunesday rant is over now. Back to my great sounding early Bowie fixation
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[ForeverAutumn]

This CD makes my ears hurt. Has anyone else actually listened to it? I mean sure, what do you expect the Decemeberists to sound like, most of their albums are badly compressed and harsh, even when they were indie, but who really likes this sound? I just don't understand, makes it a lot harder to appreciate when you can't enjoy listening to it, but I guess that's what you have to do these days if you wanna be on the charts.

Yeah, I find myself clenching my jaw during the harmonica parts. But what're ya gonna do? Ya know?

[Swish]

This CD makes my ears hurt. Has anyone else actually listened to it? I mean sure, what do you expect the Decemeberists to sound like, most of their albums are badly compressed and harsh, even when they were indie, but who really likes this sound? I just don't understand, makes it a lot harder to appreciate when you can't enjoy listening to it, but I guess that's what you have to do these days if you wanna be on the charts.

OK, my Tunesday rant is over now. Back to my great sounding early Bowie fixation
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That could be your trouble, but I'm only guessing.

[Davey]

Maybe you need to upgrade to a 7-channel Sony Walkman like me? That could be your trouble, but I'm only guessing.

Yea sure, denigrate a disgruntled consumer for voicing his complaints against an industry bent on turning all of the music we love into a constant barrage of irritating noise, instead of chastising the corporate money grabbers responsible for nearly two decades of crap sounding CDs like this. I could use an upgrade, though

[jonnyhambone]

I don't have the new Decemberists yet but listening to the new Iron and Wine, I've thought it was the Decbsts. several times...much more up, densely instrumented, and forcibly sung (not too much whisper singing anymore) than earlier Beam releases. That said, I like it quite a bit. The vinyl sounds good (came w/ a cd too that is much more compressed and muddled sounding), the electronic textures aren't too heavy-handed, not as poignant as other albums by him but very enjoyable to listen to and well played...makes me think of Laura Nyro for some reason.
Similar sorta, the new one from Destroyer is really interesting. It's like a late night come down from a coked-out 80's leisure suit party. Lots of horns, dark but not depressed, enigmatic but really funny lyrics with lots of good music insider nudge-nudges, genre-hoppin' but still pretty cohesive. After a handfull of spins, I'm lovin' it.

[Swish]

brooding folk noir - I like that. I've been calling the earlier stuff downhome spiritual and apocalyptic poetry; and, personal (almost too personal) relationship experiences.

On this new one, we still have "mother's milk in a plastic cup" and "the lion and the lamb f*cking on the back row."

What I'm picking up on musically is the influence of their touring mates, Nomo. When I saw Iron and Wine in November, Nomo opened. The horn players from Nomo joined the Iron and Wine set. Nomo's style is jazz modalities set to a groove with a little electronica thrown in. Their set was a nice compliment to Iron and Wine's, but I'm not sure the styles mesh very well which is what I'm hearing on the new one - a little bit of The Shepherd's Dog mixed with Nomo. At the live show, the Nomo horn players were playing Iron and Wine songs. On the new one, it sounds like Iron and Wine heavily influenced by Nomo.

On second listen, I'm more receptive to what's happening on this disc.

As for a Nomo recommendation - I have a copy of their 12" 45rpm called Ubiquity. Bought it at the show after their set. It features one of their standouts "Rocket #9." The whole band was gracious enough to sign the cover.

Kiss Each Other Clean isn't quite on the level of The Shepherd's Dog in terms of overall unity of vision. Oddly, even with Beam's generally bolder singing, it's also not quite as immediately striking. These songs are generally not the type to grab you right away, but there's enough mystery and melody there to call you back. It's an album that takes its time seeping in, and it's ultimately worth putting in the close listening that reveals its many details and delights.

I was totally underwhelmed upon my first listen, but my appreciation has grown considerably after the 4th or 5th listen. It's a keeper for sure.

[ForeverAutumn]

but my appreciation has grown considerably after the 4th or 5th beer.