Album Description: Justin Vernon began recording as Bon Iver following the breakup of DeYarmond Edison, an indie folk group similar in tone and manner to Iron & Wine, Little Wings and, to a certain extent, Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Pronounced 'bohn eevair', it is French for "good winter" which is spelled wrong deliberately. This debut CD is centered around Justin Vernon, who is the primary force behind Bon Iver, as he moved to a remote cabin in the woods of Northwestern Wisconsin at the onset of winter, alone for three months. From this solitary time emerged a bold, uninhibited new musical focus of all his personal trouble, lack of perspective, heartache, longing, love, loss, and guilt that had been stockpiled over the past six years into songs. The NY Times called this record "irresistible", and it was given a "Recommended" rating by Pitchfork. 9 tracks. Jagjaguwar Records. 2008.
Amazon.co.uk: It's hard to believe that For Emma, Forever Ago is the work of one man. But when Justin Vernon's old band split he hauled himself (and presumably plenty of instruments and recording equipment) to his dad's hunting cabin in the woods of Wisconsin for the coldest season and worked through his issues in musical form. (The name comes from the French for "good winter"--"bon hiver"). By the start of the spring thaw he had recorded the bulk of this stunning debut, originally self-issued to acclaim last year in the USA and now picked up for a British release. Vernon's voice grabs the ear from the start, switching easily into a smooth falsetto (and unusually for a white indie lad, without the slightest intent of emulating Prince). The formula is straightforward. He layers his vocal harmonies, while a gently strummed acoustic rhythm guitar just about holds the centre. All else from horns to slide guitar is mere detail. The quality is rough and ready but the effect is strangely similar though to the slick vocal confections of European women like Bjork and Camille, all mystery and distance. It's the musical equivalent of reading someone else's diary. In code. Through a dirty window. Enigmatic songs like the elegantly stumbling "Creature Fear" with its rowdy horn parts, the resolute opener "Flume" and the evanescent "Team" are just so pretty they seem to glide by without leaving a mark in the snow. Vernon is apparently a straightforward and friendly guy, but For Emma, Forever Ago genuinely sounds like something from a far off place. --Steve Jelbert
A rare gem which actually is 100% worthy of the hype I had heard so much about this album before my boyfriend gave it to me to put on my ipod and listen to as he had gotten us tickets to go and see the live version, and this always puts me off - hence I wasn't expecting to love it but basically the reviews which are raving it are all 100% true. It really is so painful and beautiful and so incredibly personal that it leaves me wondering how Vernon can sing the songs live without weeping. At the gig, he got everyone to sing "what might have been lost" over and over as a 'backing track', which he conducted to reach an amazing crescendo - I was moved to tears. Even more beautiful live, I didn't want to leave and now when I listen to the album on headphones I am transported back to that evening. Thank you is all I want to say to Justin Vernon, thank you so much for sharing this music
Tears of Joy? of Sadness? A little of both. I am absolutely in love with this album and yes, it is past the lust stage. I simply can not stop listening to this album. "Flume" and "Skinny Love" are my personal favorites but this is one of those albums where you dont really want to skip and you can listen to over and over. You will thank yourself for checking this out.
Disappointing I have to agree with the guy, and his wife, who said this album had an annoying sound. I bought the album off of the strength of the other reviews, since I've had good luck with that practice in the past. I regret this purchase, though. I wasn't able to understand Bon Iver's lyrics because of the way he shuffled the words together. It sounded like some weird combination of mumbling and whining.
Amazing Album This album is amazing- Bon Iver's music is a fantastic combination of acoustic blends and layers upon layers of warm harmonies. He sings with such passion that you want to listen to the entire album over and over again. I highly recommend this album.
Powerful and beautiful I think this albums is just awesome from start to end. It took me about two listens before I was fully in love, but Re: Stacks and Skinny Love were instant hits with me. Obviously, if you only like upbeat music this isn't for you. Most of the songs feature little more than simple percussion and acoustic guitar. The sparsity of instrumentals means you really need to be into the singing style, which despite some other reviewers, I think is unique and awesome. Usually I don't like a chorus of one person tracked on top of itself, but I think he pulls it off pretty well.
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