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Epicurus.com - For Emma, Forever Ago
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List Price: $14.98
Our Price: $11.99
Your Save: $ 2.99 ( 20% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Jagjaguwar
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0656605211527
Label: Jagjaguwar
Manufacturer: Jagjaguwar
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Jagjaguwar
Release Date: 2008-02-19
Studio: Jagjaguwar
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Editorial Reviews:
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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.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Sounds like suicidal mutterings of a drunk Elmo
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Boring
Comment: 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!
Customer Rating:
Summary: One of the most cohesive albums in a decade.
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great album, can't believe it's so cheap
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Comment: 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
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