By Michael Houston
LISTEN to Iron and Wine's new album "The Shepard's Dog." The third LP for songwriter Sam Beam, it has a different tone than previous releases. Usually, a strong acoustic guitar takes the lead with little more in the background than a simple rhythm and sister Sarah Beam harmonizing (see "Our Endless Numbered Days"), but his new album adds new layers. A more prominent bass guitar switches between folk and subtle reggae-influenced lines, creating more upbeat songs. Beam's voice is still incredible, sounding like a loud whisper that rests on his guitar lines so well.
WATCH the one-hour season premiere of "The Office" tonight at 9 p.m. on NBC. For the single person that hasn't heard about the general plot of the show, it goes like this: Steve Carell (of "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" fame) is Michael, a paper factory boss who spends most of his time at work making lame jokes and attempting to be the "cool boss." Everyone else on the show plays one of the stereotypical office characters that inhabit cubicles. Jim and Pam are the kind, funny characters that everyone of their respective sex relates with, Dwight is the nerdy guy with glasses that you get stuck paired to on some project, and Ryan is the intern-turned-full-time employee that is introduced to the working world. These are just a few of the characters that make up one of the only funny shows left on television.
SEE Maria Taylor perform this Saturday at the Doug Fir. Taylor is one half of the lyrically sweet band Azure Ray that broke up in 2004. Since then, she has gone on to create two solo albums; the latest is this year's "Lynn Teeter Flower." Her new music sounds similar to the songs she sang before - slow-building, folksy melodies set to her soft voice. (For those who watch "Grey's Anatomy," her "Song Beneath The Song," was played during the first season and is on the soundtrack.) This Saturday, she joins Midlake to play the 21+ show. Arrive early to see Taylor because she is not the headline act. Show at 9 p.m., and tickets cost $13.
