The Creek Drank the Cradle

2002 studio album by Iron & Wine

The Creek Drank the Cradle

Studio album by

Iron & Wine

Released| September 24, 2002
Genre|

* Folk[1]
* lo-fi[2]

Length| 39:26
Label| Sub Pop
Producer| Iron & Wine
Iron & Wine chronology
|  | The Creek Drank the Cradle
(2002)  | The Sea & The Rhythm
(2003)

|
|

The Creek Drank the Cradle is the debut studio album by the American musician Iron & Wine (aka Sam Beam). It was released on September 24, 2002. The vinyl LP release had a bonus 7" vinyl single. The promotional CD for this album was released in a cardboard sleeve with different artwork.

## Background

[edit]

The sparse lo-fi sound of the album is attributed to Beam recording the tracks at home on a four-track recorder, initially as demos. His intention was to pass these on to Joey Burns and John Convertino of the band Calexico who provided a rhythm section on the finished piece. However, the demos were released instead.[3]

## Reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsAggregate scores

Source| Rating
Metacritic| 87/100[4]
Review scores
Source| Rating
AllMusic| [5]
The Austin Chronicle| [6]
Drowned in Sound| 8/10[7]
Pitchfork| 8.1/10[8]
Q| [9]
Stylus| B+[10]
Tiny Mix Tapes| 4.5/5[11]
Uncut| [12]

The Creek Drank the Cradle has received widespread critical acclaim since its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 87, based on 14 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim".[4]

Pitchfork placed The Creek Drank the Cradle at number 137 on its list of the top 200 albums of the 2000s.[13] Tim Sendra of AllMusic called it "a stunning debut and one of the best records of 2002".[5]

## Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Sam Beam

No.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Lion's Mane"| 2:49
2.| "Bird Stealing Bread"| 4:21
3.| "Faded from the Winter"| 3:17
4.| "Promising Light"| 2:49
5.| "The Rooster Moans"| 3:24
6.| "Upward Over the Mountain"| 5:56
7.| "Southern Anthem"| 3:54
8.| "An Angry Blade"| 3:48
9.| "Weary Memory"| 4:01
10.| "Promise What You Will"| 2:24
11.| "Muddy Hymnal"| 2:43
Total length:| 39:26

7" Vinyl SingleNo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Her Tea Leaves"| 3:50
2.| "Carissa's Wierd [sic][14]"| 2:07
Total length:| 5:57

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Pitchfork Staff (October 2, 2009). "The 200 Best Albums of the 2000s". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 28, 2023. "The Creek Drank the Cradle is a stunning collection of traditional folk music..."
2. ^ Miller, Derek (September 25, 2007). "Iron and Wine - The Shepherd's Dog - Review". Stylus. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
3. ^ Perlich, Tim (September 29, 2005). "IRON & WINE/CALEXICO". Now. 25 (5). Archived from the original on September 6, 2014.
4. ^ a b "Reviews for The Creek Drank The Cradle by Iron & Wine". Metacritic. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
5. ^ a b Sendra, Tim. "The Creek Drank the Cradle – Iron & Wine". AllMusic. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
6. ^ Lynch, David (March 14, 2003). "Iron & Wine: The Creek Drank the Cradle (Sub Pop)". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
7. ^ Robertson, Neil (April 27, 2003). "Album Review: Iron & Wine – The Creek Drank The Cradle". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
8. ^ Kearney, Ryan (October 1, 2002). "Iron & Wine: The Creek Drank the Cradle". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
9. ^ "Iron & Wine: The Creek Drank the Cradle". Q (200): 109. March 2003.
10. ^ Martin, Tyler (September 1, 2003). "Iron and Wine – The Creek Drank the Cradle – Review". Stylus. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
11. ^ Jean-Pierre. "Iron & Wine – The Creek Drank The Cradle". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
12. ^ "Iron & Wine: The Creek Drank the Cradle". Uncut (66): 121. November 2002.
13. ^ "The Top 200 Albums of the 2000s: 150–101". Pitchfork. September 28, 2009. Archived from the original on August 19, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
14. ^ "Carissa Wierd". Iron and Wine. September 24, 2012. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2013.

* v
* t
* e

Iron & Wine

Studio albums|

* The Creek Drank the Cradle
* Our Endless Numbered Days
* The Shepherd's Dog
* Kiss Each Other Clean
* Ghost on Ghost
* Sing into My Mouth (with Ben Bridwell)
* Love Letter for Fire (with Jesca Hoop)
* Beast Epic
* Years to Burn
* Light Verse

Live albums and soundtracks|

* Norfolk 6/20/05
* Iron & Wine Live Bonnaroo
* Who Can See Forever Soundtrack

Compilation albums|

* Around the Well
* Archive Series Volume No. 1

EPs|

* The Sea & the Rhythm
* Woman King
* In the Reins with Calexico
* Such Great Heights
* Weed Garden

Singles|

* "Such Great Heights"
* "Dark Eyes" with Calexico
* "Flightless Bird, American Mouth"

Related articles|

* Sub Pop

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

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