I should probably give this a spin.

Album Rating: 4.5

'Re:Stacks' is his best [2]

Album Rating: 4.0

I might be in the minority but this is my favorite bon iver record. Minnesota, WI is my favorite bon iver song.

Album Rating: 4.5

My fav too.

Album Rating: 4.5

It's easily the best one yes

Fav here too, easily.

Edit: Actually I am gonna 5 it right now.

Album Rating: 3.0

I don't know if you're saying Minnesota is the best song here or this is the best Bon Iver album but either way is so so so so wrong

Album Rating: 4.0

Holocene for best song on this album; this album for weakest Bon Iver album.

Album Rating: 4.5

Crazy talk. You say 'Bon Iver' and I always think of this as his defining sound. 'For Emma' effectively has no discernible style beyond a few signatures and his vox, the new one has way too much style (not in a good way, it's the wrong style imo)

Album Rating: 3.0

[2] to everything Blushful said (as usual)



For Emma is lowkey, saying it has no style is stupid. raw, emotional and spiritual is his style, all those things are drowned out in this album's off-beige, over-grandiose cock waving

Album Rating: 4.0

I understand, and I don't disagree, but I think For Emma is his most consistent release, whereas both this and 22, A Million fall flat at times. Wash, Holocene, Towers, perhaps even Perth and Michicant - I love this sound so, so much, but I think the rest of the songs are some of his weakest offerings. And whilst Holocene might be the best Bon Iver song, I hate some of the production on this: some of it sounds so cheap and compressed. Vernon's most defining/signature work? For sure. Best? I think For Emma's close to perfect, it's simple but it's better executed.

Album Rating: 4.0

Agreed with Rowan's descriptions of it, too. "Spiritual" is highly accurate.

Album Rating: 4.5

For Emma at the time of release did little for me beyond I liked it. Re:Stacks and Blindsided I always loved, Flume was nice, but the rest I was non fussed by. Over the years I've recognised that it's stature has grown, Skinny Love becoming a bit of a standard etc. Emotionally, other than the two songs I said I like a lot earlier, I find it emotionally a bit grabby. Would I say even a little forced? Yes, I would.



This album plays a completely different game that lets it sidestep such concerns (there's more going on, the music would still be interesting divorced of his vocals). The album is less 'naked' so a far more forgiving environment for any clunky or emotionally suspect lyrics/delivery.



Basically I didn't fall in love with Justin Vernon on For Emma and you had to if you were going to buy into that album fully (by comparison, Sufjan had me in the palm of his hand on the similar C&L, a superior album by my book)



This album merely requires you to buy into Bon Iver, the sound. A far more inviting proposition, at least for me.



Just my opinion man.

Album Rating: 3.0

doof you bloody loose unit I love ya



listen to the Bicycle Thief - You Come and Go Like a Pop Song lad

I agree that For Emma has much more soul. It oozes with feelings and the nakedness of the recording is simply breath-taking. This, on the other hand, sees a Justin that has matured his sound with grandiosity adding a back band that is absolutely brilliant. I don´t think one is better than the other, but that both tell different stories in a very distinct and masterful way.

And then there´s 22 A Million.

Album Rating: 4.5

And then there´s 22 A Million....



Which I don't get at all

Album Rating: 4.0

Great point, Doof, I think I understand a little more now. You did mention perhaps the three or four best songs on For Emma, and I'm willing to bet we agree somewhat on the best songs on the self-titled. It makes 100% sense that this would be your preference now, I think we're just looking for two different things in these albums. I hate to be hyperbolic (for the split second before I am), but God, that "forgiving environment" note is one the most interesting comparisons/crtiques of this album I've read.

Apologies if I ever sound antagonistic, I love this site for users/discussion like this, and I don't mean to be, I'm just bad with tone.

Dewinged makes an excellent point too, and I think I might listen to this one again. On the whole, I think songs like Hinnom just kill it a little for me. I was hoping with 22, A Million, Justin would make a more polished version of this -- unreasonable, I know, but you can tell I wasn't entirely sold.

Album Rating: 4.0

Interesting discussion fellas, made for some good reading. I always found this to be a bit directionless and scattered with its ideas, and the 'sound' he went for just doesn't appeal to me as much as the previously mentioned spiritual, naked and soulful vibes of 'For Emma'. But Doof for sure made some good points, may give this another go

Album Rating: 4.5

Words can't explain how greatly "Holocene" has impacted me

Album Rating: 4.5

This is best Bon Iver by a long shot for me.