Iron and Wine/Calexico
In the Reins
News of Iron and Wine joining forces with Calexico made a lot of noise, which, for most Iron and Wine fans, amounts to the volume of a low speaking voice. But as much speculation surrounded this collaboration, in the end it’s a no-brainer. Both artists stick to the same principles anyway: a rootsy sound, patient tempos, and a ton of auxiliary percussion. Using Calexico’s Southwestern sound as a vehicle for Sam Beam’s seven songs on In the Reins just makes sense. ‘History of Lovers’ highlights the horn section Beam was always lacking, and ‘Dead Man’s Will’ floats on the same breathy harmonies and open chords that turned legions of Garden State-loving high schoolers onto the bearded wonder in the first place. Of course, both artists tend to suffer from the same weakness (total boringness), and In the Reins is no exception. But it’s a pretty album, and worst case, it’s pretty short.
