For Emma, Forever Ago

I love this CD so much, my boyfriend introduced me to it and it is so soothing. There is not one song that I do not love.

My title pretty much sums this album up...it sounds like a cross between Mark Hollis' voice (Talk Talk)and the music of Iron and Wine. Very nice mixture indeed...Perhaps, just a slight bit more experimentation than Iron and Wine, a synth wash here and an odd, distant pulsing sound there, but overall, a very nice, introspective album that fans of acoustic-based, experimental-folk music should appreciate. While nowhere near as grand in scope, there are moments on this disc that bring to mind Talk Talk's Spirit of Eden. And that, my friends, is a very good thing indeed...

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

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.

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.

The review title says it all. His singing is some monotone falsetto. Probably thinks he neither has to sing or enunciate because what he says is so profound. Saw him singing on YouTube also. Looks as if he rolled in that puddle that is the album cover six months ago & is mildewing through. You should be embarassed to buy this album.

OK, who else is really bored of said artists going off on some Siddhartha like quest only to come back with a collection of "feel sorry for myself" tunes?
Probably no one except for me, that's why I'm writing this. How many more of these records must we endure? I'm soo sick of guys with beards and chicks with hairy armpits thinking that this type of posturing is getting them closer to some sort of dime store spiritual state. It's pathetic and transparent, "I just sort of went up to the woods to really be alone with my thoughts...blah blah blah." Dude, the songs are boring and you sound like every other Granola eating monkey trying to emote about some broad you broke up with God knows how long ago, get over it! We all go through this buddy, you ain't special!

On the positive side, it's nice that Bon sat up in his little cabin making cute songs with his little ol' guitar! Good on ya! I'm sure there are tons of little boys and girls out there who will gladly sing along with you and talk about how keen your lyrics are and how they can really "identify" with "where you're comin' from, Dude." Oh yeah, and probably plenty of tunes that can be played on s*#t programs like Grey's Anatomy, The Hills, House M.D., Orange County etc.

I guess though with musical zero's like Devendra Banhart out there, I shouldn't be too bothered by this runny nose of an album. "Folk" is the term used I believe, I think I'll stick with early Bob, Fred Neil and Karen Dalton thanks!

Everything about this album flows. Conceptually, musically, instrumentally, vocally, emotionally - it's just a tour de force from the frozen yonder. Gorgeous, just gorgeous. Don't wait, buy now.

I got this album last year when it was independently released. So, so good. Many say it's a winter album, but I find I've enjoyed it in summer months too. At less than three dollars, it would be silly not to download this album.

For Emma, Forever Ago (2008, Jagjaguwar) Bon Iver's first studio album. ***1/2

From his name, I automatically thought Van Morrison. This even before I knew he had a rootsy-folk sound. Then when I started the album there were the signature rolling acoustic guitars that also open Van Morrison's brilliant Astral Weeks. After about twenty seconds I then expected to hear the trademark wailing vocals that we know so well, but instead was treated to Sam Beam-like falsetto. I sat there for a moment, almost perplexed, and thought "Well gee, this ain't bad."

Bon Iver isn't the most original artist in the world, and the songs are very elementary in structure, but it's his voice, his lyrics that make For Emma what it is. And what it is is a great start to a what should be a very bright songwriting career. "Flume" is the album's greatest point, unfortunately for us it's in the beginning. Still, the way Bon Iver's voice sways, the play with stressed and unstressed words is haunting. And although the obvious influence is Iron & Wine, there is no need to go overboard; there are far more differences in their deliveries that it's almost not worth mentioning. Iron & Wine has the tendency to make songs more complex, either from the beginning or as the song travels on. Bon Iver, though, is very content with a simple strum of his guitar, even if it's just a few basic chords. I'm okay with it, too.

-Stephen
www.politicianrock.blogspot.com

Carl Lackey, owner of Cosmic Debris music shop and the best damned music recommender in the small nowhere place of Anniston of Alabama, played this one for me. I was instantly sold. I love this album. I'm really not sure why I like it, but I especially like "Flume," "Skinny Love," and "For Emma." After Carl un-shrinkwrapped about ten new CDs to let me sample, he played "For Emma, Forever Ago" and I said "that's the one!" I can't really put my finger on it. Anyone singing with a voice like his could easily go in a very bad and weird direction. Strangely enough, it works. Really good. My biggest problem with new music is much of it sounds very disconnected and the attempt to make it "artsy" and "oh so sophisticated" results in music that is a little inaccessible, easy to forget, and hard to sink your teeth into. Not the case with this CD. Lately, my favorite's have been Devendra Banhart, Iron and Wine, and Paul Duncan. I'm adding this as one of my new favorites.

As a debut album, this is one of the good ones. It is without a doubt, one of the best albums(CD's but pretentious) of 2008. It clearly encompasses a personal sadness without overly blunt lyrics, and with beautiful tunes that make puppy dogs weep. It's very much on the quiet side, but some of the tracks (For Emma) use volume to highlight their vibrant nature, or to strengthen impact(Skinny Love). I know this sounds a little artsy, but trust me, this music is great, enjoyable, sad, stirring, and a sure sign of more good music to come. If you don't know who Bon Iver is, don't worry. This music will make you a fan.

I listen for tone that elicits a core emotional response and, for me, this is one of those rare popular recordings that has it in spades. The falsetto layered vocals often obscure the lyrics which, strangely, I frequently prefer. The full experience of this music is thrilling with an authentic yearning that doesn't require the often shabby symbols of well enunciated lyrics. Do you find that the human voice can often musically convey more when only bordering on intelligibility?

This is a unique album with a wonderful sound that just might set off some mental fireworks for you as it did for me.

Heard them on NPR and bought the album immediately. Its such a pleasure to find music like this. My album of the year for 2008.

I can't get re: stacks out of my head, and I'm sure that I don't want to. This man has made this MN boy ready to write songs again. I am so inspired by this record. I can't wait to listen to it again and again. I haven't had a disc like this in years to look forward to each time, it brings you to that special place of your own creation. Music used to transport you, and now I know that it still can.