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Review Summary: The fuller sound of Bon Iver. Bon Iver’s self-titled sophomore album purposefully steers away from his former album’s raw-pining-for-lost-lovers-like-a-hermit-in-a-secluded-cabin-acoustic sound to something significantly less whiny while maintaining that same ubiquitous falsetto.
In the second record, Bon Iver became a multi-manned ship. The original Bon Iver, Justin Vernon, constructed the songs and then asked other musicians like bass saxophonist Colin Stetson and pedal-steel guitarist Greg Leisz to play with him, which resulted in a much fuller sound throughout the entire album. In short, Justin Vernon’s balls dropped, but his voice didn’t crack. Lyrically, the album is much more vague, and as such it is applicable to a wider audience. But this wasn’t an attempt to widen fan base. Instead, Vernon wrote the lyrics intent on focusing on the beauty of the words themselves. The opening track, “Perth,” has popularly been described as the blossoming into spring from his previous album For Emma, Forever Ago, and “Beth/Rest” as a beautiful death.
The final track is significantly different from the rest of the album. Whereas most of the album strikes the listener as some kind of heavenly choir, “Beth/Rest” reels the listener back to the musical feel of the 70s. At the start of the album, listeners from around the world all start from their own realities, but the listening experience and journey through the album leads listeners to a context of Vernon’s own creation. This journey motif is reinforced by the fact that all the tracks are inspired by real world locations. All in all, Bon Iver has come through with a stunningly beautiful album — the international acclaim it has received is indeed completely justified.
| other reviews of this album |
joshuatree EMERITUS (4.5)
Each song acts like a personal journal entry, documenting Justin Vernon’s experience bac...
Sowing STAFF (4.5)
...
luci (4)
This is not the sound of a new man....
MarvellousG (4.5)
It might not top the (now almost sacred) For Emma, Forever Ago, but Bon Iver's sophomore e...
Jeffort23 (4.5)
Gorgeous-sounding and elusive, Bon Iver, Bon Iver doesn't have the compelling back story o...
Douglas (4.5)
Just like a sherbet bomb; sweet on the outer, and brilliant within....
JonbeezBlue (5)
Bon Iver's beautiful follow up to For Emma, Forever Ago which sees the band delve into soa...
Chunky97 (4.5)
"Bon Iver, Bon Iver" is a beautiful masterpiece, full of wonderful melodies and well-craft...
rebel86 (4)
Quiet indie folk rock and soundscaping shape an impressive sophomore album....
Teo (3.5)
The search continues, but it's not clear where......
garth (5)
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kinda short
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oh gawd
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
nope.
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Works better as a sound off. Good writing though just expand on it
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
have a pos, this is well-written more or less
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"raw-pining-for-lost-lovers-like-a-hermit-in-a-secluded-cabin-acoustic"
*enters adjective into Thesaurus*
0 results
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
gay. fanboy
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
hahahaha dr smith
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Pointless review is pointless. And too short.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Review needs to elaborate a bit more. Especially to justify a 5 rating. This album is great though.
Also, the closer reminds me of like a late 80's Chicago ballad.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
BTW - This review was written for a small collegiate newspaper, and I was limited to 300 words.
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