Ear on TV: Week of 01.03.11: Iron & Wine

Iron & Wine on Fallon (Thursday, January 6)

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon had more than its share of memorable music moments in 2010, so it should be no surprise that Fallon and the Roots are starting off 2011 in full sprint mode. Best Coast, Local Natives, Sean Lennon's The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, and Iron & Wine will all be performing this first week of the new year on Late Night.




It's been fun to watch the slow transition that Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, has made over the years, expanding his recordings from lo-fi beginnings to a more lush studio environment. From the plaintive whisper of The Creek Drank The Cradle (2002) to the full band sound of The Shepherd’s Dog (2007), the transformation seemed complete, but we've had to wait nearly four years for a proper follow-up to come. On Thursday, Beam and his beard will preview some of what's in store on the highly anticipated Kiss Each Other Clean (out January 25). Is it too much to ask again for a battle of the beards between Beam and Questlove?.

The rest of the lineup for the week is just as tasty, starting off with the sun-dried honey-soaked pop of UK's Best Coast. Singer/guitarist Bethany Cosentino writes hits by keeping it simple, mixing the girl group and bubblegum of the past with the fuzzed out indie production of the now for a debut (Crazy For You) that made many year-end lists. The rest of the week shapes up with another year-end list favorite in Local Natives playing Fallon Tuesday; and then Wednesday night with Sean Lennon's acoustic project with model/girlfriend Charlotte Kemp Muhl, The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger.

Finally, The Black Keys also made more than a few year-end lists with their latest (and, possibly greatest) Brothers. Songs from the album seemed to be everywhere on TV and in film during 2010, and the blues rock duo have cashed in on the ubiquity with four Grammy nominations and this week's gig as musical guest on Saturday Night Live. It may be a new year, but we won't complain if we hear 2010 staple "Tighten Up" just one more time.

Picks for the week
Monday, January 3
CURRENT: Biggie and Tupac: Biggie Smalls, 2pac
CURRENT: Kurt and Courtney: Nirvana, Hole
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Best Coast
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Off! (REPEAT)
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Rooney
Tuesday, January 4
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Keri Hilson
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Local Natives
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: She & Him (REPEAT)
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Sheryl Crow
TBS: Conan: Neon Trees (REPEAT)
Wednesday, January 5
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Lloyd Banks
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Justin Townes Earle
DOCUMENTARY: Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam: The Kuminas, Omar Waqar, AL-Thawra
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ra Ra Riot (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Macy Gray
TBS: Conan: Deerhunter (REPEAT)
Thursday, January 6
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman:
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Los Lobos
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Iron & Wine
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Matt & Kim (REPEAT)
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Orianthi
TBS: Conan: Jimmy Eat World (REPEAT)
Friday, January 7
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: No Age
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Florence & the Machine (REPEAT)
Saturday, January 8
EPIX: Bon Jovi - The Circle Tour: Live From New Jersey: Bon Jovi
NBC: Saturday Night Live: The Black Keys
PBS: Austin City Limits: Monsters of Folk