Quote Originally Posted by 3LB
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.