Sam Beam's Secret

The Shepherd's Dog is Sam Beam a.k.a. Iron & Wine's best album because Beam finally reveals himself. In the past Beam's albums all featured his trademark hush & strum. Tuneful for sure. But I've always felt that Beam was hiding something. His collaboration with Calexico was the first sign. Beam is a folk-rocker from the 70's. Shepherd's Dog has the usual Beam trademark's. Hard to make out songs and hummable melodies. But it also is more alive than anything he's ever done. It won't affect his adoring masses, but it's made to win over new fans.