Album of the week #54: For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver

Dudess

I don't know anything about these guys apart from the fact that they're on the wonderful 4AD label and this particular album has garnered huge acclaim.

Over to you...

loyatemu

I have this album sitting on my hard drive, but haven't listened to it. So I guess I'll have to get back to you...

Closing Doors

Everybody seems to be gushing about this, I just think it's ok. Some nice melodies, but also some truly awful lyrics.

ronanoc

Great choice. This is a wonderful album. The songs are just simple and beautiful. Perfect for headphones in the dark.

BAZM8

brilliant album. great live too

bowsie casey

What kind of music is it ? Similar to any other bands ?

Captain Darling

He's a singer song writer dude. He apparently wrote this album in a log cabin in the woods. There are some seriously classy, understated tunes on this. The title track is brilliant, Flume is a a very atmospheric opener and Skinny Love is just magnificent (see the youtube clip of him doing it on Jools Holland-Brilliant).

There isnt a bad track on this album. One of the best albums of the year for me so far IMO......

ronanoc

Captain Darling wrote: »

He's a singer song writer dude. He apparently wrote this album in a log cabin in the woods.

Yeah, he broke with his girlfriend and his band and moved into a log cabin in the wisconsin wilderness for the 4 months of winter. His name is taken from the French for "good winter"; bon hiver.

Don't let that put you off though. I nearly did. I hate all these pretentious arsehole singer songwriters that think they have suffered the greatest indignities of man and write boring music. This is fantastic.

Fanny Cradock

Dudess wrote: »

I don't know anything about these guys apart from the fact that they're on the wonderful 4AD label and this particular album has garnered huge acclaim.

Over to you...

It's just one guy

Re_Stacks is the best song, IMO

Ekels

bowsie casey wrote: »

What kind of music is it ? Similar to any other bands ?

Bruce Springsteen- Nebraska

Ekels

It's a very enjoyable album, when in the right frame of mind. But I think like most other alternative hypemachine products, it's a little over-rated.

lordgoat

Haven't had time to post a proper post in here so i'll do my best now.

There's so much emotion on this record it can be a little hard to listen to at times. The whole album builds, in my opinion, towards the last song. Re stacks. And goes through wave upon wave of emotion along the way. There is a sincerity in his voce that really appeals to me. The honest harsh lyrics counterpointed with the melody and variety of instruments really captures the essence of what he went through making the record.

Ignore the back story of it being made in an cabin in the middle of nowhere it's not really a big deal in my opinion.

The trumpet on the title track really blows me away everytime i listen to it.

If anyone wants to listen to an album filled with music and a little heartache this is for you. But like most of the good albums you have to give it time and sit with it.

loyatemu

having given it (one) listen - it reminds me of The Band, Will Oldham (both good) and early David Gray (not so good). They're ploughing a similar furrow to the Fleet Foxes. Its pretty good, I'll definitely give it another spin.

Kid V

Amazing album. Initially its very good but it takes a few listens before it really starts resonating. Its not an everyday album either. I'll put it on every now and again and really enjoy it. Beautiful vocals and sparse music.

Its almost like he recorded it over a 3 month on his own in a log cabin far from civilisation......... NAH:D

markesmith

'Flume' is such a great song. Haven't really given the album a listen, but will do now. Want to write about 'Flume' for the blog. He kind of reminds me a bit of Skip Spence. Very lo-fi. Nice voice too.

PeadarofAodh

Stunning album! Skinny Love really blows me away.

Given "Lovin's for Fools" by Bon Iver and the Bowerbirds a listen on Youtube...awesome! Trying to find an mp3 of it now...

flyswatter

Nice album. Flume and Skinny Love are top tunes.

hiphopopotamus

Best album of the year by a mile. Like a lot of people I am sick of the whole singer songwriter genre but bon iver blew my mind , what a voice. Seen them play in tri pod a couple of months back and he can sing live just as well as on record , played the whole album in order apart from the last two songs and joked that one of the problems with the band is that they only have one album of matieral cant wait to hear more stuff by them. This album pulls at the heart strings like no other its so full of emotion i would highly recomend anyone to buy it.

JackKelly

He's playing 7th of October. Great great album. Flume has been on repeat for a while now.

red_ice

Got his album after seeing him on jools doing skinny love. Great album, but i didnt feel the energy i saw on jools(that performance blew me away) not something i can listen to on a regular basis. Infact i think the only time i've listened it thought was when myself and the missus had an arguement. It calmed us both right down - very good album but it doenst want over playing in any way.