Albums to watch

Kiss Each Other Clean

Iron & Wine

Kiss Each Other Clean

Fourth studio album from folk rock singer-songwriter Sam Beam

ADM rating[?]

7.8

Label
Beggars
UK Release date
24/01/2011
US Release date
25/01/2011
  1. 10.0 |   The Guardian

    A crossover blend of folk and funk elements that variously recalls J J Cale, CSNY, Simon & Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder and Traffic
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  2. 9.1 |   A.V. Club

    Kiss Each Other Clean is about the big subjects: what we believe, why we believe it, and what becomes of us once we realize we might be wrong
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  3. 9.0 |   NME

    A surprising and majestic triumph
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  4. 9.0 |   Prefix

    Could have been a pandering mess; Sam Beam, however, is able to create his most inviting world yet
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  5. 9.0 |   Blurt

    There aren't many musical artists that can be counted on to get better with every record. With Kiss Each Other Clean, Iron & Wine firmly, confidently, beautifully steps into that rarified pantheon
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  6. 9.0 |   God Is In The TV

    It’s hard to think of anyone else out there capable of writing such stunningly conceived and poetic songs
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  7. 9.0 |   Spin

    Kiss delivers plenty of unexpected layers, employed judiciously in service of Beam's usual ruminative ideas about good and evil, love and death
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  8. 9.0 |   Bowlegs

    The originality of Beam’s writing and musical eclecticism on the album make for an intoxicating brew
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  9. 8.5 |   Independent on Sunday

    Again, Beam has created a unique cosmic (and karmic) American music
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  10. 8.0 |   The Skinny

    Beam continues his progression through diversification without the loss of his trademark considered style. This is definitely his most enlightened work to date
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  11. 8.0 |   Q

    As ever, a real treat for the ears. Print edition only

  12. 8.0 |   Uncut

    Is it bleak as hell or mellow and fruitful? yes. and verily, yes. Print edition only

  13. 8.0 |   The Scotsman

    Sweetly genre-busting, this is ultimate pop music, neither conforming nor confronting. Lie back and enjoy
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  14. 8.0 |   Entertainment.ie

    Blends the folksy intimacy of those early records with the genre-bending nature of 'The Shepherd's Dog'
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  15. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    More than being just another great album, it suggests a brilliant and unpredictable future from an artist who, unbelievably, appears to be only just getting started
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  16. 8.0 |   Eye Weekly

    At once warmly familiar and continually surprising
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  17. 8.0 |   State

    Beam genuinely sounds like he’s having fun switching between styles, and the music has a consequently vibrant quality
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  18. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    Packed with sounds that a more self-conscious indie-folk musician wouldn't contemplate
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  19. 8.0 |   Rave Magazine

    This album is almost certain to enhance Iron And Wine’s already impressive reputation
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  20. 8.0 |   DIY

    Easily holds it’s own against any of Beam’s previous material, which is pretty high praise
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  21. 8.0 |   The Quietus

    It's a heart-breaking, wonderful journey
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  22. 8.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Beam is tapping on a rich fountain of form and long may it continue
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  23. 8.0 |   State

    There’s a loose, freewheeling feel to the album
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  24. 8.0 |   No Ripcord

    His seamless genre bending will always transcend generational gaps
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  25. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    For those in his audience prepared to explore new territory along with him, [this] will be something of a treat
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  26. 8.0 |   Clash

    A rather more lively, sometimes even poppy record
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  27. 8.0 |   Slant Magazine

    The pop-centric elements of Kiss Each Other Clean add inexplicable weight to the album's lavish sentimentality
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  28. 7.7 |   Pitchfork

    These songs are generally not the type to grab you right away, but there's enough mystery and melody there to call you back
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  29. 7.0 |   The Digital Fix

    Another winner from this consummate musician
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  30. 7.0 |   Rolling Stone

    Beam's headed someplace, and it's worth following
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  31. 7.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    A lot of catchy melodies
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  32. 7.0 |   Under The Radar

    It seems there’s not much that Beam can’t try
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  33. 7.0 |   BBC

    The Sam Beam that we hear on Iron & Wine’s fourth album is a figure quite distinct from the one that first greeted us on his 2002 debut
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  34. 7.0 |   Tiny Mix Tapes

    The remarkable change here comes from courtesy of the record's sonic qualities
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  35. 6.9 |   Beats Per Minute

    Beam is a genius at melody, and nearly every track on the album is hummable
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  36. 6.0 |   The Observer

    Beam's "focused pop record" has swapped mystery for slickness and sax licks, kissing clean his music of much of its grit
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  37. 6.0 |   The Irish Times

    Beam has grown from being overtly influenced by the likes of Nick Drake to forging a persistent, delicate style all his own
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  38. 6.0 |   Mojo

    It'll be interesting to see if this slicker Iron & Wine will still reap the same rewards as, say, Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver. Print edition only

  39. 6.0 |   Daily Telegraph

    Recalls Scritti Politti, or Sufjan Stevens – perhaps not what his folky fans were hoping for, but it’s an impressive makeover
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  40. 6.0 |   PopMatters

    Just a little too effete to be the great pop record that it really should be
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