I know I'm not a prominent member of this forum, much more of a lurker, but has anyone else heard this album? This is a serious contender for album of the year for me. Basically, Justin Vernon took four months to just live in a cabin in Wisconsin, with no expectations of anything, and ended up writing this album. Stylistically, it sounds like Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio and Sam Beam of Iron & Wine had a child, and he made an album. The songs Skinny Love and Re: Stacks have been stuck in my head in a good way for the past three weeks, and could end up topping my songs of aught seven list. If you haven't heard it, I would highly recommend it, you can hear it here.
You are right, this thing is incredible. You can stream the whole thing on Virb. It isn't for sale anymore because they are reissuing it on Jagjaguwar next year.
Yeah, I just heard that he signed to Jagjaguwar. It is always welcome news when one of my favorite labels signs a (rapidly growing into a) favorite artist. Plus, Jagjaguwar releases vinyl, so I (hopefully) will be able to hear this album in all its analog glory.
Can I shamelessly promote this album one more time? I've listened to it constantly since finding a leaked copy.
The ambient attention to detail in this album lends it a foggy intimacy that compels you to revisit. This is quickly becoming one of the best of the year for me. I think the honesty of expression in this record puts it above other decent (but not masterful) releases such as Neon Bible or In Rainbows.
I like this album quite a bit. I actually downloaded some of his previous work (unreleased I think), and it's quite a bit different from For Emma. He sings mostly in a lower register, and you wouldn't guess it's the same guy as on For Emma. Not nearly as good either.
This album is an example of what I wish Pitchfork would do more of: discover some unknown artist who plays relatively non-experimental music (they seem to recommend obscure electronic or noise records but not more "plain" albums) and slap it with either a "Recommended" or "Best New Music." Bon Iver had only released this album by himself and in very limited quantities before the P-fork review. Now he's got a record deal and is going to sell a lot of albums. They should do this sort of thing more often.
Posts: 3746 | Location: NE Indiana | Registered: 14 April 2005
I've really fell in love with this album. This isn't my typical genre of music either, but this is just really excent in its subtlety and sparse arrangements. I think P-4k with undvervalued the album. It's got some pretty special moments.
"Skinny Love" and "For Creature" are personal favorites.
heh, I read this thread a couple days ago and I happened to add it to this list of things to download that I keep by my computer. Well, I got bored and started doodling a bit, and the album title happened to be above my picture. I think it turned out decent. It's kinda neat how the album title almost acts like a dedication. Now if only I knew someone named emma. :/
That's a nice doodle tsyndermtg, I think it captures the feeling of the album well.
And Vypa, I completely agree about the power of this album's minimal nature. The drumming is a great example of the use of the percussive instrument just to anchor the song a bit, never to intrude (except the chaotic kit smashing towards the end of "The Wolves"). Obviously the central focus is on the words and vocals, and both deliver expertly (the lyrics on "Flume" are wondrously cryptic).
I'm feeling this album, it sounds pretty dang good. Thankfully I'll be able to put it on my 2008 list thanks to its rerelease by Jagjaguwar. 2008 is looking pretty sparse, it needed some help.
------ Peanut Butter Pudding Surprise!!
Posts: 1970 | Location: ATL-abouts. | Registered: 24 October 2006
This is a really terrific album. I like it more and more, each time I listen to it. I am guessing that when the devil’s website gets to it, everyone will be over it.
----- Things could be different but they’re not…
Posts: 5646 | Location: Texas | Registered: 27 December 2005
If you mean pitchfork, which I assume you do, they already tagged it with a "best new music" a couple weeks after I discovered it (just gotta one-up the 'fork again, as I did with the Twilight Sad). Also, there is a good review here. http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2007/11/30/a_ne...sound___and_success/
Thanks! And I would like to say that the hype surrounding this little hidden gem of an album is much deserved. Such a cool vibe on this album, so chill. I need to listen to it some more.
