Bon Iver, 'For Emma, Forever Ago' (Jagjaguwar)
Tenderly comforting songs emerge from a cold, lonely place.
By David Marchese 02.26.08 12:21 AM
Bon Iver's Justin Vernon spent last winter holed up in rural Wisconsin with his guitars, some recording equipment, and a broken heart. When the snow melted, he returned with ten sparse, searching songs that gorgeously evoke the desolate beauty of those surroundings. Vernon's voice -- delicately layered and yearning -- gives standouts "Skinny Love" and "Flume" their stunningly direct emotional impact, but his sturdy folk chords, earthy melodies, and plainspoken, pastoral lyrics prevent the album from descending into self-pity. Play Emma when your fire burns low. It'll help keep you warm.
Now Hear This: Bon Iver, "Skinny Love" DOWNLOAD MP3








