2.20.2008

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

spaceBon Iver is the recording name of Justin Vernon. If you haven't heard of him yet he self-released his debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, last year and was already met with critical aclaim. By the time I finally decided I needed to check him out, he had sold out of the record on his website. Luckily that was right around the time it picked up to be release on the Jagjaguwar label. It finally came out on Tuesday and just like I had read, it's fantastic. If you are in the Midwest right now get it because it's the perfect winter record.

At times, For Emma reminds me of Sun Kil Moon's best moments, which is a huge compliment. It's no accident that the multi-layered vocals are the focal-point as Justin's voice is eerie and mesmerizing. That's not to say the music isn't great as well. The songs that make up the record are mostly quiet but altogether it's a haunting and moving affair. If you consider this to have come out last year, it should be on every top 10 list. I didn't hear all of it until this week, but I can't imagine many albums being better than it for the rest of the year.

Bon Iver Myspace
Bon Iver Emusic

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