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In The Reins [EP]
by Iron & Wine + Calexico


8.4

based on 22 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 12 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

MUSIC:

This mini-album finds seven new originals written and sung by Sam Beam (Iron & Wine) with Calexico's Joey Burns and John Convertino performing as his backing band.

LABEL:	Overcoat
RELEASE DATE:	13 September 2005
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Indie, Rock

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Drawer B

Gorgeous, lush, and surprisingly optimistic.

Pitchfork

Whether or not Iron & Wine and Calexico ever choose to follow this up with another collaboration (fingers crossed), it's clear that both acts are stronger for having worked with the other.

Entertainment Weekly

Heartbreaking and haunting. [23 Sep 2005, p.90]

All Music Guide

Fans of both bands will want to get In the Reins because it rates favorably with their best work.

Junkmedia

While In The Reins bears the unmistakable imprint of both Calexico and Iron and Wine, these collaborators donât seem to be interested in playing it all that safe.

PopMatters

In the Reins is a marked leap forward in production--proving that [Beam's] songs, while gorgeous and perfectly functional as bare-bones four-track recordings, can support heavier instrumentation without losing their power and efficiency.

Mojo

The combination... works just fine. [Oct 2005, p.114]

Dusted Magazine

If it was a foregone conclusion that the long-awaited Iron & Wine/Calexico team-up wouldn't result in anything revelatory (or incendiary, as it were), it was almost as inevitable that it would be rewarding all the same; safe, not sorry, sad and elegant as ever.

Uncut

With Calexico's sensitive muting of colour, Beam is clearly thriving throughout. [Nov 2005, p.112]

Blender

This excellent collaboration plays to both halves' strengths. [Nov 2005, p.137]

cokemachineglow

In the Reins is a clear success.

Stylus Magazine

In The Reins is intelligent but natural, different but not queer.

Spin

A little swing moves these songs along in otherwise unobscured directions. [Nov 2005, p.101]

ShakingThrough.net

In the Reins will please fans of both Beam and Calexico, and perhaps bring crossover business to each.

Tiny Mix Tapes

The best parts of Iron & Wine songs are almost always the bridges between chorus and verse or the outros, the spaces void of singing where Beam adds subtle riffs on top of the normal progression... They are the sharpest hooks, and, unfortunately, Calexico pretty much cuts out the effect of these bridges on In the Reins, replacing them with dull saxophones, harmonicas, trumpets, and ill-defined electric guitar parts.

Prefix Magazine

A solid set of tunes with some interesting musical elements not typically present in Beam's dynamic.

Q Magazine

Clocks in at less than 30 minutes, but you still feel you've been somewhere when it finishes. [Oct 2005, p.115]

Rolling Stone

Sounds like an indie update of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska moved 300 miles to the southwest. [6 Oct 2005, p.154]

Alternative Press

A bit too jammy at times, but this is another solid effort for both artists. [Oct 2005, p.158]

Lost At Sea

Most of these tracks can be found on the Internet in their original Iron & Wine incarnations, and all but one sounds 100% better that way.

Under The Radar

A pleasant curiosity. [#11, p.117]

New Musical Express

These country-blues laments are seriously sleepy-eyed. [10 Sep 2005, p.66]

The average user rating for this album is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

roman mc gave it an8:
It's pleasant listening. The first track, the last track, and the middle of the EP is the strength, especially "Red Dust." The way Iron and Wine's acoustic blues riff accelerates in tempo and Calexico steps in with its rhythm section is a credit to how well these two acts meshed. "Prison on Route 41" and "Sixteen, Maybe Less" are both a little too much on the 'precious' side and should be avoided for those who quickly fall asleep to Iron and Wine.

Cheryl P gave it a9:
I've always liked Calexico and I've enjoyed some of Iron & Wine, but Iron & Wine can sometimes be too sleepy for me. This collaboration is truly beautiful.

radar gave it a10:
Why don't all artists only release EP's? This is how it's supposed to be done. Only 7 tracks - only quality!

Steven L gave it a9:
I'd never heard of Calexico prior to this release, but I must say that the two bands certainly compliment eachother (unless Calexico is AMAZING by themselves, which they very well could be). It's short, but hell, it's an EP. Very satisfying.

Andy P gave it a9:
Really great move for both bands. The added flavor and tempo of Calexico makes Iron and Wine even more amazing.

Gary E gave it a9:
Just as "you've got chocolate in my peanut butter" now we have "you've got Calexico in my Iron & Wine" acheiving mutually delicious heights seemingly made for each other.

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In The Reins [EP] by Iron & Wine + Calexico

In The Reins [EP]
by Iron & Wine + Calexico