The Creek Drank The Cradle
by Iron & Wine
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Sep 24, 2002
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Stylus Magazine
    79
    An album of quiet, introspective folk music.
  2. Pitchfork
    81
    The Creek Drank the Cradle is made of small epiphanies.
  3. AllMusic
    90
    A stunning debut and one of the best records of 2002.
  5. Rolling Stone
    80
    The ambiguity in the songs adds to their haunting quality.
  6. Austin Chronicle
    89
    An astonishing debut.
  7. Junkmedia
    100
    Worthy of any superlative you can throw its way.
  8. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    Though it is not overtly innovative in its instrumentation or approach, The Creek Drank the Cradle is composed and performed with such an inclusive, intimate voice that the album is extremely accessible, even personal.
  9. Dusted Magazine
    90
    [A] seemingly out-of-nowhere collection of quiet masterpieces.
  10. The A.V. Club
    90
    It would be a mistake to call the result "lo-fi": For all the songs' elemental ingredients, Beam is a gifted producer, imbuing The Creek Drank The Cradle with both breeziness and portent, subtlety and simplicity.
  11. Salon
    90
    Spartan and unadorned, the naked sincerity of the record is heartbreaking.
  12. Splendid
    80
    The Creek Drank the Cradle is very surreal, mythical, haunting; it creates a mood of warmth and comfort, and makes me feel as if I've been transported to another, far more peaceful plane of existence.
  13. Flak Magazine
    80
    For a plodding, semi-mopey bit of understated blues, it's hard to beat.
  14. Mojo
    80
    Beam's evocation of elemental themes and dramas is too profound and affecting to deny. [Jan 2003, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Album of 2002
55
#55 Most Discussed Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 37
  3. Negative: 2 out of 37
  1. pinkenigma
    Sep 14, 2017
    9
    Besides being a nice work, it is also full of meaning with a beautiful poetry. An excellent album to listen to both on a sunny spring day andBesides being a nice work, it is also full of meaning with a beautiful poetry. An excellent album to listen to both on a sunny spring day and on a rainy winter day.… Full Review »
  2. BrianF.
    Jan 27, 2009
    10
    Simply the best album I have ever owned. Musically gorgeous, lyrically brilliant, and grippingly sincere. Buy this now.
  3. LM
    Jan 20, 2008
    6
    Pretty dull, uninspired lyrics, do your self a favour and get a couple of andrew bird albums instead.
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