User Submitted Album

For Emma, Forever Ago

Bon Iver

2007

3.55

Rating

187

Votes

Distribution

Rock Indie Folk

Album Summary

For Emma, Forever Ago is the debut studio album by American indie folk band Bon Iver. It was first self-released in July 2007, and later saw wide release on the Jagjaguwar label in February 2008. The album is principally the work of singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. While living in Raleigh, North Carolina, Vernon fell ill with mononucleosis and a liver infection, and grew frustrated with his songwriting and life. He left Raleigh and drove to his father's remote hunting cabin an hour northwest of his hometown, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, hoping to be alone. The album was recorded at the cabin between late 2006 to early 2007. Vernon abandoned his old songwriting methods and instead focused on wordless melodies that he later set to words, which he felt evoked a more subconscious meaning. The record's lyrical subjects include lost love and mediocrity. His folk-infused songs include heavy choral arrangements, featuring Vernon's falsetto, and horns. He hunted his own food and spent much of his time isolated. Though he did not intend to make an album, he received strong encouragements from friends and decided to self-release For Emma, Forever Ago in July 2007. After several performances and online exposure, he was signed to Jagjaguwar later that year. For Emma, Forever Ago attracted wide acclaim from music critics, achieving a spot on dozens of end-of-the-year lists, as well as several awards. It became a major commercial success for Jagjaguwar, an independent label, and has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for combined sales, streaming and track-sales equivalent of over one million units. "Skinny Love" became the album's best-performing single and also went gold. Vernon gathered together several musicians to form a band to tour with. The album's touring cycle lasted two years, ending in late 2009, and visited several countries and music festivals worldwide. In 2020, it was ranked 461 on Rolling Stone's list of the greatest albums of all time.

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Reviews

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Apr 16 2025 Author

What an absolute beauty this debut album is. I am convinced the subsequent albums are more impressive from an innovation standpoint, but this is sheer pleasure. Great laidback folk songs with fantastic melodies, tantalising vocals and impressive instrumentation.

Apr 09 2025 Author

Sad man is sad

Apr 08 2025 Author

One of my favorite albums and absolutely missing from the original list. There's not a bad song on the album and the introspection and vocal passion of his delivery is among the best. Though the lyrics are difficult to decipher in places, i'll just embrace the mystery.

Apr 09 2025 Author

I’ve heard some Bon Iver and liked him, and when I pulled this up in Apple Music saw a VERY long write up for this album. I read that before listening, and it recommended putting on some headphones… which I did. I loved this album. Really impressive and hard to believe someone in such a state holed up in a cabin in the north woods came up with this… then again it makes sense too. Really wonderful.

Apr 11 2025 Author

The first and best album of Bon Iver is one that has its unique stylings make a lasting impact in an album less than 40 minutes. When this first came out it really changed the indie music landscape. I’m shocked this wasn’t on the original list. The melancholic sounds with the auto tune vocals created a mystifying listen that still resonated today. It’s really one of the best albums from the 2000s. A must listen. 8.9/10

Apr 16 2025 Author

Someone gave my wife a burned CD of this in its word of mouth phase, before it really broke through. I recall I liked it well enough but wasn't over the moon, and took the lyrical side to be kind of mumbly word salad. It turned out to be a slow burn for me though. As a flyover state former country boy myself the origin lore has always amused me a little - how it glosses over the fact that having access to a plumbed and wired family cabin on tens of acres of land is pure economic privilege, or that its remoteness is pretty relative in terms of how we reckon distances in these parts - its not like a bar, restaurant meal or throwing in a few loads of laundry at Mom and Dad's house would have required more than a drive millions of Americans wouldn't blink at as a commute. For all that, there is a sense of isolation, and transformation, that is undeniable. I came around as a full partisan on it (I like most of the rest of Vernon's catalog very well too) and I think in its genre it's the best of its decade - a true album, carefully composed, not a speck of filler in it, bookended by and shot through with absolute bangers. Staying truly independent in the face of what must have been avid courting by the major labels tips it into the realm of the greats for me.

Apr 16 2025 Author

The user list has been dropping some heaters recently; I’d say this is worthy for main list contention at this point. Just like that pop punk album hit the spot for just having fun, this one hits the spot for making me very very sad.

Apr 17 2025 Author

This album is just magical. The high pitch vocals take you to another world.

Apr 18 2025 Author

I'm not a fan of Bon Iver's work after this album (what I've heard of it anyway), but this album I absolutely love. Especially the song For Emma, it's so beautiful. My daughter's name is Emma, so the song makes me emotional for that reason as well as the pure beauty of the song. 4 stars.

Apr 11 2025 Author

"I don’t know, but White Butler’s really into it." - Maya Rudolph as Beyonce. https://youtu.be/ELXbZsYHhpQ?si=l8iP5fp1tIdpseJg&t=294 If you get that reference, first of all, you're my people, but second, you'll understand how I feel about most Bon Iver albums and tracks. Talk about sticking to your style. It's the dictionary definition of white people music. Every song sounded like the last. Not horrible, by any means, and I was somewhat surprised when I recognized a couple of tracks. This is the epitome of a 3 star album on my scale. 1 star = absolutely terrible. No redeeming qualities. 2 star = not my jam/style, decent, but nothing to hook me at all. 3 star = I actually liked a couple of elements/songs, but likely would not re-listen again 4 star = would re-listen again, really liked it 5 star = all-time great, historically significant, etc.

Apr 19 2025 Author

I’ve never really cared about Bon Iver and I continue to not do so

Apr 23 2025 Author

I never got the hype with this artist.

Apr 13 2025 Author

Didn't I just review and slag these guys off a few days ago? Nah, I checked and it was ages ago. This is just kinda nothing. It is most definitely up its own arse, but where it might be pretentious, it's not super arrogant. It's a bit too miserable for that. It IS pretty bland, though. 2/5.

Jul 16 2025 Author

This must be some millennial thing that I'm too Gen X to understand. It's moderately inoffensive background pap, sung in a ludicrous falsetto. Fits right in with mid 2000s music. That is not a good thing.

Apr 13 2025 Author

Yup Nice choice 5

Apr 16 2025 Author

Probably in my top 10 albums oat

Apr 19 2025 Author

Thanks for introducing me to this immaculate album 18 years ago, Bob Erickson

Jun 10 2025 Author

Modern classic!

Jun 18 2025 Author

Can’t believe this wasn’t on the original list. Absolute masterpiece of an album.

Jul 07 2025 Author

Who is Emma to have inspired such a collection of soft, beautiful songs? I don't actually want to know.

Jul 24 2025 Author

A real game changer, much like Fleet Foxes, to recalibrate the 2000s against the pop garbage of the late 90s.

Sep 18 2025 Author

Just astonishing – shimmering and spectral, hushed, haunting and heartfelt. Maybe the ultimate quiet-is-the-new-loud effort. One remembered hearing for the first time and thinking one'd never heard anything like it before. The first few cuts set the somehow eerie but triumphant tone and there's ample variation, though thematic (and vibesy coherence across cuts). One roots for the vocalist because one hears both the suffering and the courage to continue. He's gone on to bigger/better things, of course, but he's never topped this. Great call, recommender – it's utterly ridiculous that this isn't included on list proper (one assumed it was) – could/should replace any of the folk albums from the last 30 years (plus all the metal, punk and EDM). Creation myth sounds right, but its veracity doesn't matter to the excellence and depth – yes, genius! – that this album absolutely drips.

Sep 25 2025 Author

I mean it's a classic right! I have fond memories of discovering this album as a mid teen, and dare I arrogantly say, before Bon Iver were well known at all. One of the songs was on some late night Radio 1 show for discovering new music. I quicky scribbled down the name and song and that's how my fandom began. I then did lots of classic YouTube searches trying to absorb everything him and the band had done. I also remember playing it to friends, and in particular giving Philippa a headphone in Costa to see what she thought of Flume. I think she liked it but most people weren't too fussed I seem to remember! And now look at them. Fond memories of new music discovery

Oct 12 2025 Author

I simply can't believe this is not on the main 1001. Kudos to someone for spotting this crime and correcting it. I never did. There are too many neglected albums. This is one of my favourite albums and artists and every track is terrific, from the start to finish, a sensitive, obscure and haunting glimpse into Justin's head. I just love the sparse snare drum, horns, whistling and twangy electric guitar. "Come on, skinny love, just last the year Pour a little salt, we were never here My my my, my my my, my my Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer" This is perfection.

Oct 23 2025 Author

I own this album. I keep listening to it with the intention of rating it, but instead I just listen to it and go about my day. It's fall here now, and this is the perfect fall album. It's sweater weather distilled into a plaintiff voice singing songs of love to someone who seems so far away now 5/5

Apr 08 2025 Author

Very calm and peaceful. Easy to listen to.

Apr 09 2025 Author

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Skinny love, Blindsided

Apr 09 2025 Author

Aughts folksy indie with beautiful lyrics.

Apr 17 2025 Author

I think the Bon Iver “coin” dropped a bit late for me. At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of his work—but over the years, I’ve grown to appreciate it. His sound is truly unique and instantly recognizable. It pushes the boundaries of electronic-based alternative music in a way that feels both experimental and emotionally resonant.

Apr 17 2025 Author

Quite nice and more accessible than his more recent work.

Apr 27 2025 Author

Putting the bon in bon iver

May 03 2025 Author

Beautiful album, where it all began for Bon Iver. Guy retreats into the woods with mono and heartbreak, records a brilliant record that kinda changes the world. First few listens, "Skinny Love" is the best. Years down the road, "Re: Stacks" will hit you like a freight train. Shout out to Bon Iver man, amazing catalog all the way through. Thank you to whoever picked this! 4.5/5

May 15 2025 Author

It's actually hilarious that this is his worst album. Did not expect that when I first heard it. It's amazing. It's just... A bit simple compared to everything that followed!

May 25 2025 Author

Not as good as contemporary reviews (and my memory) would have suggested, but a solid fragile Americana effort. A little more variation of sound, style and dynamic range would have been nice.

Jun 10 2025 Author

Never really bothered with Bon Iver, and if I'm honest I only know a few songs of theirs because of Kina Grannis, Imaginary Future and Kate McGill, like "Re: Stacks". There's some good stuff on the album. Generally easy listening, some simple guitar and peaceful vocals.

Jun 18 2025 Author

Given its reputation, a proper user album choice. I liked it in 2007 modulo Skinny Love (very strong dislike) and saw an excellent BI concert at that time, with a full band including two drummers (if I remember correctly) and a highly enthusiastic audience. Now, after 17-18 years, the album still sounds fine. The lyrics are not interesting, but the songs themselves are quite good (apart from SL of course). [There are even two more BI user albums - seems like overkill to me, but will give them both a try as well..]

Jul 01 2025 Author

Pretty good debut album. The kinda indie folk bullshit I like. Still Bon Iver has never really gelled with me to absolutely love it. My personal rating: 4/5 My rating relative to the list: 4/5 Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.

Jul 09 2025 Author

Beautiful sad songs

Aug 16 2025 Author

There are 3? Bon iver albums that have been added to the user submitted list. I did not care for the first one I got, but this one was totally different. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Aug 19 2025 Author

I’ve never actually listened to an entire album by Bon Iver before and to my surprise I really liked it. The folk vibe is always something I’m going to like and I think it just is beautiful sounding.

Sep 25 2025 Author

So I've never been a big fan of Bon Iver. They've just never clicked for me. I don't think I've ever listened to this album in full. I can see that it's a great album and well written but there's just something about it that doesn't click for me. I wonder if I saw them live I'd get it a bit more. Nonetheless, it's clearly very good song writing.

Oct 13 2025 Author

Favorite songs: Skinny Love, Flume, For Emma, Blindsided Least favorite songs: Creature Fear 4/5

Apr 11 2025 Author

Not usually a singer-songwriter fan, but there's enough going on here to elevate this one against my tastes. The orchestration (and acoustic guitar especially) reminded me of Neutral Milk Hotel, and the LP contains some surprising punches of dynamic contrast that piqued my interest. The slower, more ballad-like tracks still drag interminably as they tend to do on albums like this, but Vernon injects enough personal flair and instrumental elements to keep things as exciting as they could be

Apr 19 2025 Author

This was the longest album I have ever heard, which is quite a feat considering it's only 37 minutes long. It was fine, if a bit one note and glum. Fave Songs: For Emma, Creature Fear, Flume, Lump Sum

Apr 22 2025 Author

I’ve started to get into his works in the last little bit. However this one hasn’t grabbed me as much as some of the others.

May 01 2025 Author

Yea, real nice.

May 02 2025 Author

It was nice, but not really my bag

May 14 2025 Author

Some worthwhile stuff to sift through but a bit whiney and aimless.

Jun 17 2025 Author

Better than the other Bon Iver album on here, but I'm still not really sold on them. Justin Vernon is only behind two layers of autotune as opposed to eight hundred on "22, A Million" on here, so that's a plus. Still no idea why he chooses to do that when his voice is completely fine. Songwriting is fine, the beginning and end are quite strong, but something is missing and I can't really put my finger on it. It's just not very interesting. In one ear, out the other kind of thing. 3/5.

Jul 16 2025 Author

The vocals remind me of TV on the Radio, but there's something just a little bit too lackadaisical about this whole thing, which may be the point, but it's just not for me.

Aug 19 2025 Author

I fully get why people would and do like/love this. Full stop - fully sincere. Alas, I think perhaps the biggest reason - that plaintive and precious falsetto - is what prevents me from ever attaching myself to any Bon Iver. The music is simple and lovely and I do like the atmospheric touches (e.g. "Flume") - we're close here... But. His vocals are tough for me, really tough. If - as Apple Music's bio states wrt this album - this voice truly inspired "generations" (I do not think that word means what they think it means) of imitators - then I have a bone to pick with Mr. Iver. (yes stfu I know it's a nom de plume, I will have my fun dammit). I'll give full credit and respect to the musical creations within and suck it up just a bit (I don't like anyone's voice, I'm an inhuman monster) because it really is lovely, but it's hard for me to sit through more than 20-25 minutes at a time. Give me the instrumental version please. 6/10 3 stars.

Aug 20 2025 Author

Geez, the people here really like Bon Iver, huh. This is the third one from them that I've drawn. This one's probably the best one so far, but getting tired of them.

Sep 25 2025 Author

I was so, so, SO close to enjoying this in the same way I'd enjoy Fleet Foxes are even Sufjan Stevens, but instead it felt pretty middle of the road. Nice and brief, with some stand out moments, but nothing so incredible that I came to see why Bon Iver is nearly a household name.

Nov 09 2025 Author

Lovely but also ultimately a bit boring

Nov 17 2025 Author

I want to love it but it’s just good

Apr 15 2025 Author

Indie folk, alt-country, country folk, ambient. Aburrido. Un 2.

May 09 2025 Author

Don’t get him / them. Should like it.

Sep 09 2025 Author

Sorry, I just can’t take his voice and there are so many layers of it. It is really distracting to me. I can see the argument for this being on the list, but I find his music really off putting because of the vocals, whether they are densely layered like on this record or treated with vocoder or auto-tune like on his later records. Musically, I think it is fine - the instrumentation is not really outside of the norm for late 2000’s indie, and as a result, the vocals feel like the sole focus. This just isn’t for me.

Nov 21 2025 Author

Folk-rock suave con voz identificable. Demasiados parecidos y simplistas los temas en sí. Pensaba que tendría un poquito más de sentimiento y de intensidad.

Nov 22 2025 Author

I am not a moody young person driving through misty mountains in America. This album had less impact doing a standard commute to my office job.

Apr 25 2025 Author

I forgot I was listening to something until I remembered...bored to death.

Sep 18 2025 Author

I have never listened to Bon Iver before and this is more or less what I expected, but man is it so much worse than I would expected. This type of music just brings up so many negative connotations with that time and scene. Even trying to contextualize it is difficult, I understand he may have been early on with this before it became more ubiquitous, but it just feels so pretentious and empty to me. I just can't.