For Emma Forever Ago

---

---

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's hard to believe that For Emma, Forever Ago is the work of one man. But when Justin Vernon's old band split he hauled himself (and presumably plenty of instruments and recording equipment) to his dad's hunting cabin in the woods of Wisconsin for the coldest season and worked through his issues in musical form. (The name comes from the French for "good winter"--"bon hiver"). By the start of the spring thaw he had recorded the bulk of this stunning debut, originally self-issued to acclaim last year in the USA and now picked up for a British release. Vernon's voice grabs the ear from the start, switching easily into a smooth falsetto (and unusually for a white indie lad, without the slightest intent of emulating Prince). The formula is straightforward. He layers his vocal harmonies, while a gently strummed acoustic rhythm guitar just about holds the centre. All else from horns to slide guitar is mere detail. The quality is rough and ready but the effect is strangely similar though to the slick vocal confections of European women like Bjork and Camille, all mystery and distance. It's the musical equivalent of reading someone else's diary. In code. Through a dirty window. Enigmatic songs like the elegantly stumbling "Creature Fear" with its rowdy horn parts, the resolute opener "Flume" and the evanescent "Team" are just so pretty they seem to glide by without leaving a mark in the snow. Vernon is apparently a straightforward and friendly guy, but For Emma, Forever Ago genuinely sounds like something from a far off place. --Steve Jelbert

---

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's hard to believe that For Emma, Forever Ago is the work of one man. But when Justin Vernon's old band split he hauled himself (and presumably plenty of instruments and recording equipment) to his dad's hunting cabin in the woods of Wisconsin for the coldest season and worked through his issues in musical form. (The name comes from the French for "good winter"--"bon hiver"). By the start of the spring thaw he had recorded the bulk of this stunning debut, originally self-issued to acclaim last year in the USA and now picked up by 4AD for a British release. Vernon's voice grabs the ear from the start, switching easily into a smooth falsetto (and unusually for a white indie lad, without the slightest intent of emulating Prince). The formula is straightforward. He layers his vocal harmonies, while a gently strummed acoustic rhythm guitar just about holds the centre. All else from horns to slide guitar is mere detail. The quality is rough and ready but the effect is strangely similar though to the slick vocal confections of European women like Bjork and Camille, all mystery and distance. It's the musical equivalent of reading someone else's diary. In code. Through a dirty window. Enigmatic songs like the elegantly stumbling "Creature Fear" with its rowdy horn parts, the resolute opener "Flume" and the evanescent "Team" are just so pretty they seem to glide by without leaving a mark in the snow. Vernon is apparently a straightforward and friendly guy, but For Emma, Forever Ago genuinely sounds like something from a far off place. --Steve Jelbert

---

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's hard to believe that For Emma, Forever Ago is the work of one man. But when Justin Vernon's old band split he hauled himself (and presumably plenty of instruments and recording equipment) to his dad's hunting cabin in the woods of Wisconsin for the coldest season and worked through his issues in musical form. (The name comes from the French for "good winter"--"bon hiver"). By the start of the spring thaw he had recorded the bulk of this stunning debut, originally self-issued to acclaim last year in the USA and now picked up for a British release. Vernon's voice grabs the ear from the start, switching easily into a smooth falsetto (and unusually for a white indie lad, without the slightest intent of emulating Prince). The formula is straightforward. He layers his vocal harmonies, while a gently strummed acoustic rhythm guitar just about holds the centre. All else from horns to slide guitar is mere detail. The quality is rough and ready but the effect is strangely similar though to the slick vocal confections of European women like Bjork and Camille, all mystery and distance. It's the musical equivalent of reading someone else's diary. In code. Through a dirty window. Enigmatic songs like the elegantly stumbling "Creature Fear" with its rowdy horn parts, the resolute opener "Flume" and the evanescent "Team" are just so pretty they seem to glide by without leaving a mark in the snow. Vernon is apparently a straightforward and friendly guy, but For Emma, Forever Ago genuinely sounds like something from a far off place. --Steve Jelbert

---

Description
Retreating to a woodland cabin in Northwest Wisconsin at the beginning of Winter to hibernate and escape from the breakup of his previous band, Justin Vernon ended up writing andrecording what would become his debut album under the name Bon Iver. A mix of lo-fi acoustic folk and reflective lyrics, the album was picked up by 4AD and Jagjaguwar for a full release worldwide after an initial self-released run. The single 'Skinny Love' is also included.

---

Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-08-25 rating:
Notes From A Privileged Isolation
That Mr Vernon-Iver should have entitled one of the nine extraordinary
songs on this weirdly wonderful album 'Wolves (Act1 & Act2)' would alone
have been enough to have caught my attention had not our dear friends at
Amazon also kindly included it in their increasingly astute recommendations
for me.

Isolation is a privilege. Few of us, whether we chose to or not, have the
opportunity to be completely alone. The world will not let us unless we find
that rare opening to some small space where we might rehearse being
ourselves entirely. (Or failing that at least borrow a little time for self-reflection).

Far fewer still are those of us fortunate enough to own a father
with a hunting cabin in Wisconsin.

That said, 'For Emma, Forever Ago', shows evidence of an opportunity
well taken.

Isolation experienced wisely both refines and distorts perception and
there is more than a little madness present in these fine compositions.

There is also an elusive, ephemeral beauty.
The mood of the album is predominantly low-key and reflective in mood.

Mr Vernon's voice possesses a languid charm. Its' high register coaxing
a persuasive gravitas from his material.

'Flume' is worthy opening track but the haunting harmonies of 'Lump Sum'
sweep it away without our barely noticing.

"Skinny Love' is a wistful, almost-but-not-quite-jolly, ditty with a simple
sing-along chorus. The Wolf found himself joining in with the "my, my, mys"
despite himself.

Any song about my own species is bound to satisfy and 'Wolves (Act1 & Act2)'
is no exception. Simplicity and economy once again win the day. The harmonies
are splendid and the percussive intrusions at it's dark centre positively barmy.

'Blindsided' is a truly lovely song. Perhaps the album's highpoint. The subtle
use of brass enhancing the exceptionally well-wrought melodic line.

'Creature Fear' and 'Team' both make judicious use of the drumkit our hero
must have taken to the wilderness with him. ( I'm betting his Dad has got a truck
as well as a log cabin !).

The warm brass appears once again in 'For Emma' ( Things must have been getting
pretty crowded in there by this time !).

'Re : Stacks' is a fine ending to a fine project. Mr Vernon's guitar playing heard
here at it's economical best.

The Cold Good Winter seems to me to have been well spent.

Would that I could have been there with him for a while.

Recommended.

---

review by: date: 2008-08-20 rating:
Peaceful
I bought this CD on recommendation from Amazon, so bit of a risk for me.

At first I wasn't convinced, but left it in the car. And what I've found is pretty amazing - the feeling I get when this is playing is one of such serenity and calmness, it's wonderful. Now, when this is playing, trips in the car are less about the destination and more about the journey.

---

review by: date: 2008-08-17 rating:
For Emma Forever Ago
This CD came up in the Amazon recommends list as I am a fan of Daniel Lanois and his work with others IE Emmylou Harris' wrecking ball. With hindsight I can't think why. I bought it unheard on the back of the many rave reviews.

I am very disappointed. I have eclectic tastes but if pressed I would say that I favoured blues and atmospheric music.

I found this album to have low production values combined with a rudimentary and limited musical ability. (This from a a fan of Son House and Charley Patton). It seems to consist mainly of a monotonously strummed single chord on an acoustic guitar/national resophonic guitar with vocals which have to be an aquired taste.

In contrast to bulk of reviews, in my opinion this is over rated and I would urge potential buyers to have a listen first.

---

review by: date: 2008-07-24 rating:
hype
a little over hyped i reckon .. but worth 5 stars for 'stacks'and 'for emma' which are just beautiful songs...the rest is weak in comparison


review by: date: 2008-07-17 rating:
Believe the hype
I'd be the first to agree that what critics rave about will often mean nothing to 'ordinary fans' and that hyped products (book, music, film, whatever) are often disappointingly ordinary. Good but not that good. It's also clear that many have fallen for the story of how this CD came to be made as much as for the music itself.

With all that said, I have to confess that I've fallen in love with 'For Emma, forever ago'. And when you've been buying recorded music for 35 years, that's an increasingly rare way to feel. So forget the hype and the back-story. This is simply a great record. Beautiful sound textures belie the limited instrumental palate used. Intriguing and evocative lyrics sung in a beguiling, with echoes of Neil Young and Sam Beam and (at least on 'Skinny Love') Gary Clark.

Buy it. Now.

---

Similar products

Fleet Foxes
Sun Giant EP
Sunday At Devil Dirt
Pacific Ocean Blue/Bambu (The Caribou Sessions)
Stay Positive (Limited Edition Special Package)

---

Similar categories

Music . Styles . Indie . Bestsellers
Music . Styles . Rock . Indie Rock & Punk . Bestsellers
Music . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . CD . CD Album

---