Customer Reviews

Bon Iver

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

Well damn, this is a changeup. Vernon has taken a huge (and very ballsy) step in releasing this record under the same name as 2008's brilliant For Emma, Forever Ago, which is more or less the polar opposite of this year's self-titled record. Where For Emma was a hushed set of crystalline dirges, Bon Iver is absolutely exploding with sounds and instrumentation and ideas. For Emma was the sound of a man and his guitar, pouring out his heart and purging the demons that haunt him, but Bon Iver is the logical follow-up: the purge was successful and now Vernon has a fresh heart and soul to express more than just the idea of pain and hurt. I get why For Emma fans are not necessarily huge fans of this record, but just as Burst Apart was the logical step forward from Hospice, so too is Bon Iver the progression from the cocoon of For Emma. You absolutely have to come into this record with an open mind and not expect for it to sound like For Emma, but if you can do that, you'll find Vernon's aggressive use of instrumentation and melody to be compelling and, ultimately, stellar. On Bon Iver, Vernon has shown us that he can do far more than make us cry, and he does it all so well it's almost hard to believe.

Some of these reviews are hilariously awesome. I love the funny stuff people say when they hate something so much! I dig the album. Gorgeous and textured. Mature and melodic. It kind of just rolls out of the speakers without you really knowing when one track ends and the next begins. The lyrics are nearly indecipherable. The song names are gibberish. Call it overproduced or whatever, but what does that really mean. It's beautiful music. His previous stuff was great too. Who cares if this is different. Don't get so attached to what you think an artist should sound like - you'll only end up disappointed. I do think the last track is a bit of a trip. Jimmy Fallon busted his chops for it - comparing it to Bruce Hornsby. I can't disagree with that simple but fairly accurate comparison. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Just listened all the way through and I freakin love it!

Not sure why so many do not but I enjoyed the listening experience immensely!

I own all of his previous work and enjoyed this new offering by vernon simply because it was a bit different. And though different it still sounded very much like his own.

I say buy it and love it unless you just enjoyed the emma album b/c of it's distinct rustic sound. If you love Justin Vernon I don't see how you could be disappointed with this album.

I listened to this album for the first time a few days ago, and I could barely make it through to the end. The musicianship, intimacy and genuine emotions of "For Emma, Forever Ago", have been replaced with bland, constrained, indifferent, affected elevator music. A few moments here and there started to spark my interest for a moment, then the songs would just kind of fade away. As I grow older, music with no backbone or heart has become much easier to detect. It will be hard for me to find time to listen to this album again, as it feels like a waste of time. Again, this is only my opinion.

The good: A number of outstanding songs (Perth, Holocene, Lisbon, OH + Beth/Rest), a fantastic collection of sounds and complex instrumentation. Lyrically perfect.

The bad: This album had the potential to become the top album of the year but the production values are just so low that it makes it hard to listen to. Half of the tracks sound hollow despite a multitude of instrumentation. If you want specific examples:

Perth: 2:32

Michicant: 3:00-End

Hinnom, TX: 1:59-End

Calgary: 1:45 it gets really bad, again at 2:28, but the whole track is a mess

Even Beth / Rest, despite the use of synth (if you're going to use it, you might as well highlight its strengths), lacks dynamic range and depth. I yell OPEN UP! at this song because it has the potential to absolutely knock your socks off: instead it just taps you. Disappointing.

If this album were remastered by a good producer, it could be 100x better. I know you like doing it yourself Justin, but it hurts the musicianship! You can hold your own during the vocals but if you want long, drawn out instrumentation you need to layer it correctly. As it stands, I could cut the last 30 seconds from each track across the board and have a stronger album.

Best album of the year. No question.

I may be unique in that I wasn't a big fan of his first album and bought this with hesitation. After the first time I heard it, I was in love. The majority of the tracks on this album give you that sense of calm, peaceful contentment that I have yet to achieve from listening to any other album this year (Fleet Foxes was close). Holocene may be my favorite song of the past 5 years and I have yet to find someone who honestly does not love it. A perfect meld of guitar, voice, snare, and chord changes that provide gentle waves of complete nirvana throughout. A perfect song. (Check out the video too, which seems to fit well)

If I had a complaint it would be the last track not really fitting in with the brilliance of the rest of the record and that his lyrics are occasionally drowned out, but its more stylistic than anything....i'm struggling to say anything bad about this album, so I'll refrain from any other feeble attempts to do so.

Sit on the couch, get some headphones and a glass of your favorite beverage/herbal remedy and melt right in. It'll change your life.

I bought this album because he won best new artist at the grammys. I didn't know who he was and didn't know what to expect. I really like this. I find this album is perfect for winter. He really paints a picture with the instruments. This album is about the music, not the lyrics. The reason why I didn't give this 5 stars is because it's not exciting. It's very good, but has only one speed. Still, I find this very artistic and have played it alot in my ipod.

Bon Iver makes an amazing sophomore album. It has an ambiance to it that will leave you humming for days. Bon Iver has a specific style that you have to have the right pallet for though. I would recommend listening to the album at Myspace.com/boniver first. I honesty love this album though.

I'm a Heavy Metal Head but I liked this CD one of the best this year! Next to Five Finger Death Punch and Machine Head ;-). Im serious! Slow Music that doesn't make me depressed!

This picks up right where "For Emma" left off, but J Vernon really took it to the next level. An eclectic, delicious feast for the ears.