Iron and Wine, the recorded word of one Samuel Beam, is one of those one-guy-and-his-tape deck affairs. The Creek Drank the Cradle is filled with hushed, restrained vocals, affecting lyrics from a naturalist's perspective, exploring relationships and the hope born from them, all of which come across as though whispered to you personally, accompanied by guitar, banjo and slide guitar. Taken as a whole, The Creek Drank the Cradle, Iron and Wine's debut, is an ode to an older South; a part of America that is defined by "traditional values," pastoral imagery and arcane manners. Or maybe that's just what we want to hear.

Track Listing
1. Lion's Mane
2. Bird Stealing Bread
3. Faded From The Winter
4. Promising Light
5. The Rooster Moans
6. Upward Over The Mountain
7. Southern Anthem
8. An Angry Blade
9. Weary Memory
10. Promise What You Will
11. Muddy Hymnal