Light Verse

Iron & Wine

Light Verse

Sub Pop

April 25, 2024
Issue #72 – The '90s Issue with The Cardigans and Thurston Moore

By Frank Valish

It's been seven long years since Iron & Wine's last non-Calexico album, 2017's spectacular Beast Epic. Frontman Sam Beam admits he suffered a bit of a waning inspiration during the COVID pandemic, which wiped out everyone's energy, but he's now back with another near-perfect set of songs for cozier moments.

There's something comforting about hearing Beam's smooth vocal delivery illuminate lyrics that poetically document the nuance of life and the 10 songs Light Verse characterize all these in spades.

Skittering strings open to a restrained chord on “Anyone's Game.” “All in Good Time” is an instrumental folk song with alternating vocals by Beam and Fiona Apple. “Taken by Surprise” and “Yellow Jacket” are soft and gentle, seductive in a way that is very special to Beam and his sensibilities. “Sweet Talk” has Beam leading a hopeful single, the chorus repeating the phrase, “Of a great life.” And “Angels Go Home” is all sweeping and symphonic.

Iron & Wine's catalog is full of albums that experiment and push the boundaries of Beam's chosen format. The creek drank the cradle over 20 years ago. Light Verse it's not one of those albums. Instead, it finds Beam doing what he does best, honing in on those songwriting touches and instrumental backdrops present in his most captivating work. (www.ironandwine.com)

Author Rating: 7.5/10