Album Review: Who Can See Forever Soundtrack by Iron & Wine

We are huge Iron & Wine fans. Sam Beam is just phenonomenal songwriter, composer and musician.

So, it was a pleasant surprise to Iron & Wine’s November 17th as the accompanying live album to the concert film, Who Can See Forever.

The film is the first ever in-depth look into the life and music of the accomplished songwriter, composer and musician, Sam Beam, aka, Iron & Wine.

In a press release, Subpop Records writes: Who Can See Forever grew into a deeper study of its enigmatic subject as director Josh Sliffe spent more and more time on the road.

Shot over the course of three years, Sliffe digs into the myth and ethos of Iron & Wine through a series of interviews and unguarded behind-the-scenes footage that welcome the viewer into the center of Beam’s universe.

The soundtrack features more than two decades of Beam’s material recorded over a two-night-stand at the historic Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw, North Carolina.

Along with Beam, the band features bassist Sebastian Steinberg (Fiona Apple, Soul Coughing), drummer Elizabeth Goodfellow (Allison Russell, Better Oblivion Community Center), cellist Teddy Rankin-Parker and keyboardist Eliza Hardy-Jones (War on Drugs, Grace Potter).

Produced by Beam and recorded by his long-time live sound engineer Jelle Kuiper, the soundtrack was mixed by Matt Ross-Spang at Southern Grooves in Memphis, TN, and mastered by Richard Dodd in Nashville, TN.

The film will screen in theaters in select cities throughout 2024 before platforming to streaming services.

“All these elements work together to give the songs a new dimension, and whether they top the originals is beside the point; it is exciting enough to hear a band as good as this working with Beam in a live setting, taking chances and reaching deep inside the songs to extract shiny new gold.

It’s hard to believe it took so long for Iron & Wine to document their live incarnation, but it is easy to believe that now that they finally have, it’s as sophisticated, burnished, and emotionally true as this.”
★★★★ ALL MUSIC

“Following his muse wherever it leads him, Sam Beam has crafted Who Can See Forever with the kind of care that makes these 19 songs something quite special. He has changed the hues, but the heart and soul of these songs still shine through in ways that reveal what a truly special artist he remains.”
FOR FOLK’S SAKE

The “It’s a fine close-up, so sharp you can almost catch the dust glinting in the lights as Beam showcases his willowy, supple songs.”
MOJO

“The setlist is drawn from a discography now reaching back 20 years, and some of these songs have never sounded better, ‘Last Night’ a fabulous gothic country noir, ‘Thomas County Law’ resembling a Glen Campbell classic.”
UNCUT

“serves as an antidote to that kind of engagement and has a way of putting into focus just how much we’ve been overlooking Sam Beam’s genius.”
FLOOD

“This double LP refracts and reimagines Iron & Wine’s best-known songs with full, nearly orchestral arrangements realized in the warmth and immediacy of live performance. It’s a superb recap of Sam Beam’s artistic arc so far…”
DUSTED

Beam has always possessed an uncanny ability to transport listeners into intimate and emotive sonic landscapes. With the release of the Who Can See Forever soundtrack, Beam once again demonstrates his prowess in creating evocative and timeless music that beautifully complements visual storytelling.

The Who Can See Forever soundtrack is a testament to Beam’s enormous ability to craft a cohesive and emotionally resonant soundtrack. His songwriting remains as poignant as ever, creating a musical experience that transcends its role as a companion to visual storytelling.