Bon Iver- Bon Iver, Bon Iver Review

Bon Iver- Bon Iver, Bon Iver

June 2011

Jagjaguwar

For those who don't know the story about Justin Vernon, the man behind Bon Iver, here is a quick history lesson.  A few years ago Justin Vernon went through a break-up with both his girlfriend and his band DeYarmond Edison.  Shortly after he became ill with mononucleosis.  Dealing with all of this, he decided to head into seclusion with just an acoustic guitar, some cheap recording equipment, and a whole lot of hurt.  Out of this hibernation birthed the stellar "For Emma, Forever Ago"

Following this it didn't take long before Bon Iver developed a cult following among music fans, "hipsters", and music journalists.  After an appearance on the Dave Letterman show, some of his music played on Chuck, and a guest spot on Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" album, Bon  Iver began to gain some fame.  Fast forward to 2011, Bon Iver released his sophomore effort, "Bon Iver, Bon Iver".  This year Bon Iver would take home the Grammy Award for best album and best new artists.  Everyone was beginning to know who this artist was.

If you have heard "For Emma, Forever Ago" and are used to Justin Vernon's stripped down acoustic sound, you will be very surprised to hear the large soundscapes and deep instrumentation used on this new record.  With the use of electric guitars, drums, horn sections, and lots of synths, this is a completely new musical direction for Bon Iver.  Some of his long time fans may not be extremely happy with this and may even think he slightly "sold out".  However, if one can disregard what was in the past and simply judge this for what it is, than this album will definitely be a very pleasant surprise.

From the very beginning of "Bon Iver, Bon Iver" on the first track "Perth" the listener is immediately drawn in by the beautiful and melodic electric guitar and snare drum intro.  This is blended with Justin Vernon's gorgeous falsetto voice and synths.  This track eventually cresendos into an epic double bass and guitar breakdown.  After just one track in I was already floored by Bon Iver's sense of texture and dynamics.  

Possibly the standout track of this album is Holocene, a beautiful finger picked ballad.  This song will remind listeners the most of the stylings on "For Emma, Forever Ago."  Although this album is stocked full of emotionally gripping moments, the most gripping may be found on Holocene.  In this track the lyrics state, "I knew I was not magnificent."  Mr.  Vernon I have to wholeheartedly disagree.

Other tracks to point out would be Towers, featuring a strummed electric guitar riff and touching vocal melodies.  I also want to point out the haunting piano driven track, "Calgary" which may be the most honest and vulnerable point on this album.  However, the track that has been a point of discussion the most would be the closer, "Beth/Rest."  This song has garnered many mixed opinions, with some dismissing the track as corny and out of place, while others take it as an emotionally charged masterpiece.  "Beth/Rest"  resembles very similarly to many of the power ballads of the 80's, with similar vocal effects, production, horn sounds,  background guitar leads, and synth pads.  This has clearly proven to be a bit too much for some listeners, but I'd have to ask, what's wrong with that?  Yes, it has it's cheesy moments, but behind it all is a very sincere and well-crafted performance from Bon Iver.  The only complaint I might have with it is that it slightly breaks up the flow and pacing, which is otherwise perfect on "Bon Iver, Bon Iver"

Although I am very impressed with this album, I can't right now say it has topped "For Emma, Forever Ago".  "Bon Iver, Bon Iver" misses the sincerity and realness you felt from Vernon's first effort.  I will however do what many other critics have failed at doing, and point out what this new album has that "For Emma, Forever Ago" does not.  "Bon Iver, Bon Iver" presents an astonishing sense of detail as every second of this record seems carefully and finely crafted.  From every softer and stripped down moment, to each built up epic chorus, Justin Vernon's attention to every little aspect of layers, dynamics, and emotion is really something to be praised.  The abstract lyrical ideas mixed with the underlying themes of finding reality though different places in life is very smart.  Justin Vernon's unbelievable falsetto voice can really choke one up.  He knows how to engage the emotions of the listener without every over doing it, while knowing the exact right times to pull away a bit.  

I know a many reviewers have given this record as much or maybe even more acclaim than I have, while a few others have seen it less favorably than I have.  I feel those few have tried to nitpicked the minor flaws on this Bon Iver album just to sound smarter than the casual listener. I will agree that this record isn't without fault however, these critics have missed the sheer fact that this album moves and grips the emotional core of the listener.  At the end of the day,  isn't that really the point?

My rating 84/100