Sam Beam’s successful recording career as Iron & Wine left much of his early work, made before he signed to Sub Pop Records, lost to poor-sounding bootlegs. However, Beam initiated the "Archive Series" to self-release his unreleased home recordings, covers, and live sets from his entire career. This first volume centers on recordings that could be considered a companion volume to his debut album, The Creek Drank the Cradle. They feature an uninhibited Beam harmonizing with himself over his gorgeous acoustic guitar work. Songs such as “Two Hungry Blackbirds,” “Judgement,” and “Quarters in a Pocket” prove that beauty can present itself in hushed tones.