Album Review: Kiss Each Other Clean - Iron & Wine

A strange little collection of tracks that show Sam Beam, the man behind Iron & Wine, to be something of an enigma.
With a distinctive enough voice, he still manages to sound like all manner of other artists, which can be both good and bad.
One minute he's up-to-the-minute indie folk-pop, the next he's 70s middle of the road FM rock. One minute he's James Blunt (Tree by the River), the next he's Gomez (Big Burned Hand).
But it's a very listenable album that defies its ultra-hip credentials with a very mainstream sound. Tree by the River could even be mistaken at times for Bruno Mars' Marry You.
Amid many styles there are great touches of funk throughout, as well as a smattering of fun brass blarings, including on the cacophonic closer Yr City is a Sucker. Highly enjoyable.
4/5