The Creek Drank the Cradle is the first full-length release from Iron & Wine (aka Sam Beam). It was released on September 24, 2002. The vinyl LP release came with a bonus 7" vinyl single. The promo CD for this album was released in a cardboard sleeve with alternate artwork. All songs written, performed and produced by Sam Beam. Pitchfork Media placed The Creek Drank the Cradle at number 137 on their list of the top 200 albums of the 2000s. Allmusic called it, "a stunning debut and one of the best records of 2002." .