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Track Listings
| 1. Flume |
| 2. Lump Sum |
| 3. Skinny Love |
| 4. The Wolves |
| 5. Blindsided |
| 6. Creature Fear |
| 7. Team |
| 8. For Emma |
| 9. RE: Stacks |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
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
Product 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.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
69 of 74 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I can see why reaction to Bon Iver is so fragmented. There are those who hail it an instant epic, and others who think its pastoral nonsense. I'm somewhat in the middle - granted, these sorts of slow burner indie-folk albums aren't for everybody, but there is definitely something more special about this particular album - more so because its a concept album about that most universal of animals - lost love.
While the harmonies here are subdued and very, very slow-paced, the atmosphere of the entire album is what makes it work. There is a heady iciness to the entire venture, a sort of morbid sadness even, one that permeates every single track. Like Camille's "Le Fil" which had a drone running through each song (and for minutes after the last song played), this mood of sombre melancholy is present in spades on this album, and this also works for it.
The centerpiece is the two-suite "The Wolves" and the luminous "Team". None of these songs work especially well on their own. Like any good novel, each song blends into the other so that the album needs to be listened to in chronological order. Bon Iver's mastery of the sparse musical medium is astounding, and the way he makes every track here speak its' own unique brand of solitudinal longing, is a work of art waiting to be unraveled.
For many people who read this positive review, you might well buy this album and be shocked by the 'dull', 'slow' songs therein. This is in part true. It takes a while to 'get' what the artist is trying to accomplish here, but if you approach this as a rich experimental piece worth investing in, you just might reap some invaluable rewards.
Highly Recommended.
While the harmonies here are subdued and very, very slow-paced, the atmosphere of the entire album is what makes it work. There is a heady iciness to the entire venture, a sort of morbid sadness even, one that permeates every single track. Like Camille's "Le Fil" which had a drone running through each song (and for minutes after the last song played), this mood of sombre melancholy is present in spades on this album, and this also works for it.
The centerpiece is the two-suite "The Wolves" and the luminous "Team". None of these songs work especially well on their own. Like any good novel, each song blends into the other so that the album needs to be listened to in chronological order. Bon Iver's mastery of the sparse musical medium is astounding, and the way he makes every track here speak its' own unique brand of solitudinal longing, is a work of art waiting to be unraveled.
For many people who read this positive review, you might well buy this album and be shocked by the 'dull', 'slow' songs therein. This is in part true. It takes a while to 'get' what the artist is trying to accomplish here, but if you approach this as a rich experimental piece worth investing in, you just might reap some invaluable rewards.
Highly Recommended.
71 of 80 people found the following review helpful
By John
Format:Audio CD
Upon hearing "Skinny Love", probably the most accessible song on "For Emma, Forever Ago", it was running through my head the rest of the week as I played it over and over again. This should in no way denigrate the rest of the album, which packs a surprising punch in 9 subtle songs. It would be easy to just treat "For Emma..." as background music, but a careful listen reveals layers of melody overlaid by Justin Vernon's impressive vocals.
"The Wolves (Act I and II)" starts off slowly but builds into a powerful message at the album's core:
What might have been lost
Don't bother me
The title track "For Emma" further embellishes on what might have been lost with a mixture of trumpet and strained guitar. The crooning of "Creature Fear" builds into the wonderfully moody instrumental "Team".
It is often mentioned that this album was written over the course of 4 wintry months in a Wisconsin cabin. Stereotyping the quiet solitude of this album on its origins is unfair, however: this isn't just one of those singer/songwriter efforts you hear about some guy writing on his own out in the woods; it is the epitome of a singer/songwriter recording the heartfelt musings of life in isolation.
I highly recommend this album--it's subtle tones on first listen grow into brilliance.
"The Wolves (Act I and II)" starts off slowly but builds into a powerful message at the album's core:
What might have been lost
Don't bother me
The title track "For Emma" further embellishes on what might have been lost with a mixture of trumpet and strained guitar. The crooning of "Creature Fear" builds into the wonderfully moody instrumental "Team".
It is often mentioned that this album was written over the course of 4 wintry months in a Wisconsin cabin. Stereotyping the quiet solitude of this album on its origins is unfair, however: this isn't just one of those singer/songwriter efforts you hear about some guy writing on his own out in the woods; it is the epitome of a singer/songwriter recording the heartfelt musings of life in isolation.
I highly recommend this album--it's subtle tones on first listen grow into brilliance.
49 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm afraid to listen to this record too much as I don't ever want it's brilliance to dim. Best thing I've heard in quite a while. Let's see, Feist was the last artist that moved me like this, not that Bon Iver is anything like that and he'll probably never be over played in trendy boutique, but there's something so deep and soulful in the plaintive whisperings on this record. Mostly it's quiet, mostly it's bone chillingly beautiful. I actually bought it with Neil Young's Live at Massey Hall, and they somehow speak to each other with a sidelong glance to Vashti Bunyan's Lookaftering. Take a chance on this like I did, you won't be disappointed. I hope to hear more from Bon Iver!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Each song deserves more attention
While Iver's songs can blur together at first, repeated listening has opened up each song for me. That's always the mark of a good album, in my mind.
Published 10 days ago by DLewis
5.0 out of 5 stars
great vinyl
this is great sunday afternoon listening, relaxing, enjoying flipping the record and active listening. Read more
Published 12 days ago by sonny
1.0 out of 5 stars
Terrible pressing
This is a great album, but the vinyl pressing is awful. Surface noise (crackles and pops) throughout all the songs. Its so bad at times that the vocals and instruments distort. Read more
Published 1 month ago by skye
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
For Emma, Forever Ago is a fantastic album, and vinyl makes it that much better. Bon Iver has a way with music
Published 1 month ago by Paddler72
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent album
I like his self-titled album, but this one far exceeds it. Excellent. This album is pure enjoyment from Flume to Re:Stacks.
Published 1 month ago by Voodrew10
1.0 out of 5 stars
Bad vinyl pressing
Love this album and figured for $11, might as well have it on Vinyl. Like other reviewers have said, this is an awful pressing- surface noise at times distorts the vocals. Read more
Published 1 month ago by JZ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great album
Wonderfully creative music by a unique artist. This along with a cup of coffee is the perfect start to my day.
Published 1 month ago by Monica
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely lovely
This is one of my favorite albums .. its so relaxing to listen to very enjoyable all together. I would recomend this to any one looking for a good album with a different sound.
Published 2 months ago by isabitz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Rapide et sérieux,a conseiller.le vinyl est identique à sa description,l'emballage est de qualité:rien a craindre! La communication est efficace et simple
Published 2 months ago by Pierre Ebran
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Album!
Great Album! I love the tone. Love the voice. It really gets an emotional reaction out of me as does Editors "An End has a Start" but completely different sound.
Published 2 months ago by Flying Fisherman
Listmania!
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