Bon Iver

Justin Vernon is ready. He departed for the forest of Northwest Wisconsin last winter, and emerged with magic. But it clearly didn't come without a price. For Emma, Forever Ago is a penance, a crucible, a sacrificial offering... and I say 'sacrificial' because it doesn't take long to hear Vernon's giving of himself on this record. And if you see him perform the songs from For Emma live, you can see this offering repeat itself. A sacrament raised up on high to the pieces of us that may have been ripped away--casualties from having loved with all our hearts and lived through the glory and devastation. I'm hoping Vernon is feeling better than he did before last winter, and I imagine he is, given that the name of this new project, Bon Iver (pronounced bohn eevair), is based on the french greeting "Good Winter".

For those of you who are feeling suspicious about Bon Iver, let me put my reputation on the line. He's the real deal.

Despite being somewhat minimalist, Bon Iver sounds decades ahead of its time, combining emotional post-folk and stripped-down acoustic neo-soul. Vernon sings with a falsetto croon, sometimes sounding like hollow metal. That may not sound appealing, but believe me, it works... If there's one man that can make hollow metal sound vulnerable and human, it's Justin Vernon.

For Emma, Forever Ago listens like an EP, in that it leaves you quite unfulfilled with the little time you've spent with the artist. I've probably listened to it a half dozen times in two days, and at the end each time I feel angry and slightly betrayed that it's over.

It opens with Flume, which may be the closest thing to old-fashioned folk you're going to find. Right off the bat, Vernon serves up generous portions of that falsetto (which can sound akin to TV on the Radio). This wail of his helps establish the record's character early on. Lump Sum, the record's second track, is indie gospel music for a new era, driven by a single base-drum and repeating acoustic strum.

Track 3 is Skinny Love, which is the flagship song responsible for all of the ridiculous blog hype Bon Iver's been getting. Even in a small venue in Philly, his announcement of "This song is called Skinny Love", elicited cheers of glee throughout the crowd. Honestly, this track speaks for itself. It's a gift from Vernon to the world--one that I almost wish he didn't have to give, but ignoring his pain, I selfishly horde it under my pillow.

Blindsided is the perfect centerpiece, and awakens one of the most lively moments on the album. The repeated line, "Would you really rush out? (for me now)" is a chant that drives the spirit of the music. The major-scale notes he choses to hit really give the record a feel-good core. Creature Fear teases us with a repeated pseudo-crescendo of a chorus, but the tease is bittersweet, and the second time around leads into the instrumental piece Team.

Jazz horn-players John Dehaven and Randy Pingrey jump on bord for the titular track, which also features a refreshing lively drum beat. Vernon (triumphantly?) sings, "Go find another another lover to string along!" I divert my eyes away from the speakers... I don't know who this Emma chick is, but she's definitely getting her comeuppance.

Don't be skeptical, this is more than just an exercise in exorcism. It's the real deal. I promise.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love mp3

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