Beast Epic
by Iron & Wine
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Aug 25, 2017
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
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  1. jbledsoe
    Aug 31, 2017
    9
    The best Iron & Wine album since 2004's Our Endless Numbered Days. After several years of experimenting with his sound in often wonderful ways, Sam Beam has gone back to the stripped-down, lovely songwriting of his early days.

    If an artist keeps doing the same thing over and over, they are usually criticized for playing it safe and not challenging themselves. But if they do get weird    The best Iron & Wine album since 2004's Our Endless Numbered Days. After several years of experimenting with his sound in often wonderful ways, Sam Beam has gone back to the stripped-down, lovely songwriting of his early days.

    If an artist keeps doing the same thing over and over, they are usually criticized for playing it safe and not challenging themselves. But if they do get weird and experimental, an artist can lose many of their original fans along the way. I think that happened with some Iron & Wine fans who were there from the early four-track days of simple banjo, guitar, and Beam's hushed singing. I never stopped listening to Iron & Wine albums after Numbered Days, but I did find myself feeling less passionate about his music. However, it's interesting to me that it seems if enough time passes, the return to the early sounds can be refreshing and vibrant all over again, as it is here on the lovely and heartfelt Beast Epic. I applaud this triumphant return and hope for more in the same vein.    … Expand
  2. LancerReviews
    Aug 31, 2017
    10
    He’s the same artist we have come to know. The album is personal and reflective. Sam Beam is still powerful in his restraints; and Beast Epic is one of his best.
  3. DavidWasHere
    Aug 26, 2017
    7
    I am more aware of Iron & Wine by reputation than by music. So for my first rodeo in the indie folk legend's world I was expecting pretty acoustic songs. And I got it. I wasn't blown away by it, but songs like Call It Dreaming and The Truest Stars We Know are fantastic, but I got what I was expecting as a solid folk album. There are times where I didn't dig some of the song compositionI am more aware of Iron & Wine by reputation than by music. So for my first rodeo in the indie folk legend's world I was expecting pretty acoustic songs. And I got it. I wasn't blown away by it, but songs like Call It Dreaming and The Truest Stars We Know are fantastic, but I got what I was expecting as a solid folk album. There are times where I didn't dig some of the song composition being a bit soft rock-esque and sounding too bland and safe, I still enjoyed it as an introduction. Will most definitely check out his early records.… Expand
  4. tannerparsons
    Sep 10, 2017
    7
    Sam has been one of my favorite artists for a long time. This album is good but not great. His voice sounds fantastic and there are many fantastic melodies, but the album just isn't memorable or exciting musically. Good album to throw on the record player on a rainy sunday afternoon, but not an album like the Shepherd's Dog which was just breathtaking.
  5. Music_Observer
    Sep 12, 2017
    8
    This album fully succeeds in bringing out the beauty of straightforward folk music with strong melodic delivery surrounded by sweet simplicity that’s easily reminiscent of happy emotions, and although the harmonic language got a bit too wearisome and the sound had a lack of additions or real nuance, it’s the kind of simple and consistent work paired with convincing musicality that can’t goThis album fully succeeds in bringing out the beauty of straightforward folk music with strong melodic delivery surrounded by sweet simplicity that’s easily reminiscent of happy emotions, and although the harmonic language got a bit too wearisome and the sound had a lack of additions or real nuance, it’s the kind of simple and consistent work paired with convincing musicality that can’t go wrong. My Score: 135/180 (Solid) = 7.5/10… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. musicOMH.com
    Sep 6, 2017
    70
    Beast Epic is a worthy addition to the Iron And Wine catalogue and an example of an album that improves the more and deeper you listen to it.
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  2. Blurt Magazine
    Aug 31, 2017
    80
    Don’t look for fireworks here, but rather smaller, quieter revelations that take time to unveil themselves.
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  3. Prefix Magazine
    Aug 30, 2017
    65
    The album marks the return of that sharpness of perspective in Beam’s songwriting. However, there are moments where the music--though the band plays together well--threatens to tip from spare into stale. It never quite gets there.
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