Apr 09 2025
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3
Sad man is sad
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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
For Emma, Forever Ago
Bon Iver
2007
- Album Summary
This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.
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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Apr 08 2025
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5
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
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5
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
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5
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 13 2025
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5
Yup Nice choice 5
Apr 09 2025
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4
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Skinny love, Blindsided
Apr 09 2025
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4
Aughts folksy indie with beautiful lyrics.
Apr 11 2025
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3
"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 11 2025
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3
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 13 2025
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2
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.