For Emma, Forever Ago

(Jagjaguwar)

Bon Iver’s debut For Emma, Forever Ago was not planned.

Justin Vernon checked out– His former band, DeYarmond Edison , and Vernon had a falling out. And Vernon went to his hunting cabin in Northwest Wisconsin. Living alone from November ‘06 to January ‘07, its no wonder that Bon Iver translates from French meaning ‘good winter.’

For Emma, Forever Ago is down to earth in the literal sense: Full of natural imagery, Vernon writes and records a majority of his work within the confines of his cabin. As a one man show, he sucessfully gives over to his ambience– writing for the here and now– never intending to make a record. Layered vocals and swift changes of pronunciation provide Vernon’s voice to become an instrument within itself. The track “Creature Fear” features lo-fi percussion along with whispery whistling that only adds more to the complexity of the record.

Vernon created som buzz with a pair of shows at CMJ in October ‘07.

Though some tweaks have been made along the way, For Emma, Forever Agostill retains the kind of solitude and environment that Walden aspired to.–Jason Moody