As if Iron & Wine could not be even more relaxing, Kiss Each Other Clean would sound most appropriate being softly hummed in the background of a 1960s-style Volkswagen Van. The smooth and charming tones of singer Samuel Beam’s voice make it nearly impossible not to drift off and daydream, yet the rich lyrics and unique use of instruments greatly help to color the album.
Do not be fooled by the calming nature of his voice; Beam has the ability to combine his quiet and soothing voice with a wild mix of bongo, flute, piano and electric guitar. The use of instruments to both contrast and complement Beam’s voice is the key reason as to why the album is more than just a series of lullaby-like songs. This is especially evident in the tracks “Monkeys Uptown” and “Rabbit Will Run.”
“Monkeys Uptown” has a creative mix of African tribal music and jazz, but with a twist of indie-rock. It is unclear as to what exactly lies behind the meaning of the song when Beam sings, “Heavens and demon/ River is brown/ With all the mud and the rain, but/ It never settles down,” but it is evident that there is more than meets the ear in the lyrics of Iron & Wine’s songs.
“Rabbit Will Run” is similar in that the use of instruments helps to add to the angrier tone of the song. The use of a wind instrument, flute and electric guitar adds a much edgier feel, along with creative lyrics that allow room for interpretation: “We’ve all given half to the hand in our face/ We’ve all taken a stone from the holiest place/ And I still have a prayer, and I’ve furthered the world in my wake.”
Iron & Wine does not stay angry for long, however, as “Godless Brother in Love” exemplifies Beam’s ability to simplify his music into something clean and original.
The first track of Kiss Each Other Clean, “Walking Far From Home” has a sound similar to that of music playing underwater, using a combination of piano, percussion and the wail of “oohs” in the background. Although boring and unimpressive for the first track of his album, Beam’s smooth voice holds the song together in an otherwise disappointment.
“Godless Brother in Love” is one of the most refreshing tracks of the album. The plucking of the guitar strings pairs perfectly with the piano, mocking the sound of a harp. The song is entrancing, and its simplicity is what makes it so appealing.
Just when Kiss Each Other Clean seems to be only soft, relaxing music, “Big Burned Hand” appears, adding a fun, unexpected twist to the album. With wild use of saxophone, gospel and “funk” tones, it is drastically different from the rest of the album – as if Beam had woken up from his dream-like state. A lively track in an otherwise sleepy album was much needed in order to add more color.
Kiss Each Other Clean further proves that Iron & Wine is full of creative thought and well-blended tones of music, but the lack of variety makes the tracks flow together into a fog of sleepiness. The inspiration and emotion that fueled their 2007 album, The Shepherd’s Dog, is not as apparent, replaced with the slow lull of Beam’s voice and the faint sound of shakers that drive the majority of the songs. Although it is not the type of album to motivate while working out or before going out for the night, Iron & Wine’s latest is relaxing, enjoyable and inspirational.
3 out of 5 stars
