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In the Reins
Iron & Wine, Calexico
Retail Price (not our price): $9.99
Release Date: 2005-09-13
Manufacturer: Overcoat Recordings
Format: Audio CD
Discs: 1

Track List
Now here, for your listening pleasure, the tracks...

Disc 1

Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):

1) Amazon.com
In the Reins features Sam Beam of Iron & Wine and Calexico aiming to combine the best of each of their musical strengths, a collaboration that was discussed by both bands for years but never came together until now. The CD unfolds with Beam's evocative melodies backed by Calexico's blend of mariachi horns, soaring strident pedal steel, and jangly '60s-era reverb guitars; there's even the contribution of Salvador Duran's operatic Flamenco vocals on the first track, "He Lays in Reins," to really flesh out the Western feel. Given the EP's title, images of being tied or controlled come to mind especially on "Dead Man's Will," a track that features a nice peppering of vibraphones to round things out at the end. "Red Dust" is reminiscent of the roustabout feel on Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's recent collaboration with Matt Sweeny on Superwolf. Here is a song that begins quietly and opens into a ballsy, four-on-the-floor honky tonk. On "Burn That Broken Bed" muted trumpets linger in space and the blended band is cautious with dynamics like a seasoned jazz quartet. As a first EP together (though it seems unlikely their last), Calexico and Iron & Wine seem almost tentative. It would be interesting to see Beam nudge the sweet introverted songs he's mastered from the bedroom into Calexico's full-on cinematic marquee limelight--something there is great potential for with this exciting grouping.--Gabi Knight

2) Album Description
Three years ago, Iron And Wine's Sam Beam entertained the idea of recording with Calexico founding members Joey Burns and John Convertino as the backing band for what would have become his debut record. Due to unavoidable situations, that recording didn't happen. Finally, after much acclaim for both bands, recording for "In The Reins" took place in December of 2004. It's a collaborative affair that features seven Sam originals with the backing of the full Calexico band and vocals by Joey Burns. A truly harmonious affair with equal parts Iron and Wine and Calexico to satisfy fans of either or both. These tracks offer something new and exciting beyond what the listener has come to expect from either act.

Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5

1) Iron & Wine and generic backing band   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
You won't find any calexico here. Sam Beam is in charge from stop to finish with calexico hardly ever creeping through beside the more standardised use of some of their instruments. If anything, calexico's influence is obvious only in the form of appearing to slightly take away from Sam Beam's expressive powers. Having said that it's hard to understand the motivation behind this project, that is until you listen to calexico's following album "garden ruin", which obviously modeled after Sam Beam's style is lacking his essence, making this album not a collaboration of two bands with a healthy appreciation for each other, but a highschooly attempt to get close to one's idol and become alike, with calexico playing the infatuated geeky girl that has to learn to appreciate her self.Sam Beam is however, as always, excellent, even with calexico's clumsy schoolgirl meddling getting in the way.

2) Beloveds Gestalt   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
It is just special when two of your beloveds come together. I can't explain it but I really loved these folks powerfully and in parallel for a long time, having no idea of a connection. And so a crossover like this is just so well-met 'round here. I love crossovers! I focus most on Beam but that might be for personal reasons or because for some psych/social reason I am focusing on the singer more than the instrumentation. I wouldn't base my relationship with either band on this album ... I mean, I wouldn't base my relationship with them individually on this album. And that's fine, that's perfect. This becomes something else. Something equally special, redolent without being representative. A fresh gestalt. Thank you!

3) Beautiful - A Perfect Blend   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
This album is absolutely beautiful. The full musical sound and talent of Calexico together with the soothing warm vocals of Iron & Wine make the perfect match. It's almost unheard of that I love EVERY song on an album, but this one makes the cut. Each song wraps you in a warm trance, a coccoon of well-being. It has a really positive emotional effect on me. It creates an ambiance of gentle strength.Wonderful. I really hope to see a these two bands getting together for more albums.

4) Best Album of 2005   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
This EP is a very solid outing for both bands. Sam Beam is one of the best songwriters alive, and I always thought he would sound better with strong instrumentation behind him. Calexico makes for a perfect backing band. They are obviously adept at utilizing the right stuff at all the right times- the pedal steel, the accordion, operatic (Mexican, maybe?) vocalists, and not to mention a badass horn section. Although completely different stylistically, these guys (hope Sam stays with them!) and the Avett Brothers from NC are the two best bands alive right now- studio AND live.

5) 27 minutes   [Rating: 3 out of 5]
I like what there is, but you are only getting 27 minutes on this CD.