BON IVER For Emma, Forever Ago LP Drag City Mint & Sealed

For Emma, Forever Ago' was recorded during a three month stay in a log cabin somewhere in the woods of America. Two mics, a guitar, two drums, some instrumental flourishes and some effects were all that was used to create something so soaring and passionate it's hard to believe it was born from somewhere so cut off. You could use reference points such as Smog, TV On The Radio, Sufjan Stevens and Iron and Wine to get some idea of where you are about to go yet Bon Iver aka Justin Vernon always seems to add a little bit extra. From the multi-tracked wonderful opener Flume to the choral throb of Lump Sum via the minimal hum of The Wolves to the absolute quiet of Re: stacks this album is pure gold. and we still haven't mentioned his voice! quiet and soothing one minute, cracked and desperate the next. Truly original and a definite must.

Drag City 2008, MINT & SEALED