Bon Iver is no longer defined by spectral wintry dirges, as evidenced by its sophomore full-length Bon Iver, Bon Iver which takes the band’s sound further from desolate North Wisconsin cabins than anyone might have ever expected after Justin Vernon’s stirring breakout debut For Emma, Forever Ago (our top album of 2008 and 8th favorite of the 2000s).
This is surely one of the most anticipated records in years and SOTS staffers Paul Bulow, Joe Mateo, Matthew James, and Vinh Cao convened to give it a spin and offer their initial thoughts on how it lives up to the hype. As always, it might help to follow along with the album. Also, SPICE GIRLS.
Track 1 – ‘Perth’
VC: Guitars have a cozy jangle to them.
PB: They do, and it seems to pick up more from Blood Bank than For Emma.
VC: Ah, I suspected backing harmonies might play a larger role.
PB: Woah.
VC: And absolutely, Paul. I don’t imagine he’ll borrow many cues from For Emma.
MJ: Yeah I’m definitely getting the Blood Bank vibe.
VC: It’s more steeped in dynamic shifts though, I’d say. Quite a rollicking start.
PB: The full band arrangement is much more straightforward. There is a lot going on.
JM: Indeed, a lot to keep up with.
MJ: The drums are going mental.
PB: I don’t mind this too much, but I think the drums get in the way.
JM: I have a hard time making out his lyrics sometimes, though I like Vernon’s voice.
VC: I’m not sure about the arrangement, frankly. Seems a bit obtrusive at times.
PB: Horns, too. I think it’s too much too soon. There wasn’t much time to build to this.
MJ: Got to disagree, I really like this so far.
VC: Agreed, Paul. Vernon’s voice isn’t that of a storyteller here either, he’s merely providing mood.
PB: Agree.
JM: Yeah, that’s certainly true.
PB: There wasn’t much shape to this, so it’ll be interesting to see if that’s a theme.
VC: The mood is a striking one though, with thumping percussion and those vocals sprawled across the walls. It’s closer to working than not.
Track 2 – ‘Minnesota, WI’
VC: I guess most saw it coming, but there’s no question this is a “bigger”-sounding album than previous Bon Iver efforts. Even in a relatively quiet setting like this current one. Post-rock-y beginning.
PB: Low-register vocals are new.
JM: Beat/guitar almost sounds a bit funky.
PB: Yeah, Joe. Man, it seems like every indie record this year has a sax on it.
VC: I dig the vocals, the usual airy falsetto would render this a little too flimsy.
PB: I agree, Vinh.
VC: Of course, as I say this, Vernon gets fey as all hell.
PB: haha
MJ: I think the saxophone is my least favourite instrument.
VC: Not a jazz man, Matt?
MJ: Nah.
JM: Jesus, sax hate.
PB: Hey, I’m a sax player. I’ve got no hate, they’re just everywhere this year.
VC: There’s quite a deal of intensity to the instrumentation. Borders on an assault at times — those drums are packing a wallop, especially when bundled next to the hushed moments.
JM: Much nicer than the first track for my money, dig the sound/mood in this one a lot more.
PB: This song actually seems to have direction.
VC: Yeah, transitions nicely on the vocal and instrumental planes. Really great to see Vernon not relying on his falsetto to haul the ship on its own.
PB: The grittiness of the bass there in the middle contrasts nicely with the acoustic plucking at the end.
Track 3 – ‘Holocene’
VC: Starting out a bit too clean for me.
PB: Slide guitar and vibraphone are new additions. Compared to the feel of the first two, I agree, Vinh.
JM: Has a much calmer, deliberate feel than the first two tracks.
PB: This is closer to what I was expecting going in. I like how it’s picking up here.
MJ: This is the longest song on the album so I am anticipating some changes somewhere.
VC: Can’t get into it at the moment. Hoping the full band enters eventually to mix things up because at the moment, it’s little more than amiable nothingness.
PB: While I think the drums have been a bit aggressive at times, I think the use of rhythm has been great.
MJ: Yeah, I’m really enjoying the rhythm aspect to the record.
VC: The drums add pleasant texture on this one, just shuffling gently in the background. Maybe the only trait to hook me in.
PB: I think “pleasant” is a good word for this so far.
VC: Not really seeing why many have claimed this as their favorite from the album. It’s all rather antiseptic — an amalgam of widescreen, easily digestible ballads and that woodsy charm of old.
PB: I’ve been avoiding discussion of this album as much as possible, but what I’ve seen have been generally positive reviews.
VC: Oh yeah, I’ve seen quite a few posit that it surpasses For Emma.
PB: More saxes!
JM: Agreed, Vinh. The mood and texture are extremely pleasing on this one but I don’t feel it could be a favorite or a standout, even amongst the first three tracks. Though it has built nicely to the end.
VC: It was…precious.
PB: Haha, Vinh.
MJ: Good song but yeah, not as impressive as the first two.
Track 4 – ‘Towers’
PB: Here’s a little of that twang. Real strong alt-country vibe…and a saxophone.
VC: Mmhmm. Sadly, it feels a tad complacent. Like there’s nothing left to say.
PB: I think that the ambition of the first two tracks play into that, Vinh.
MJ: I’m honestly not paying too much attention to lyrics.
JM: “I’d a tore your hair out just to climb back darling.”
VC: Most likely, Paul. For better or worse, that pair really pushed the album hard from the outset, and it’s made the let-up all the more glaring.
JM: Mmmm drums.
PB: I haven’t been listening to lyrics either, and to be honest I find his falsetto makes it difficult to decipher them at times.
VC: Yeah, I remember that being a major complaint with Bon Iver back when he first emerged. I quite enjoy that his pipes are vaulted skyward yet shrouded in a fog all at once. Allows us to decipher his words as we please.
JM: Yeah it does, they released the lyrics so I’m following along with them.
MJ: That was my least favourite song so far.
PB: I agree, Matt.
VC: Probably with you too/two.
PB: Just pleasant again, but not as much as the others.
MJ: Those first 2 songs got me quite excited but there is too much of a lull now.
VC: It was “pleasant” with additional elements tacked on, and they never raised the tune above the initial bar. Lingering in about as comfortable a level as can be, smack dab in the middle of the road.
Track 5 – ‘Michicant’
PB: This album seems a lot quicker paced than For Emma.
VC: Intentionally, I would guess. For Emma was supposed to be this draining, exhaustive journey through sorrow and eventual resolve.
PB: Definitely. This track is pretty damn boring.
JM: Really meandering here.
VC: I feel bad not commenting that much on the songs as they roll by, but I have virtually nothing to say. They’re merely floating along insouciantly.
PB: It might be trying to build a little here.
VC: While Vernon’s voice is still great, it isn’t utilized to its full potential.
JM: Yeah, this track has been particularly uninspired.
VC: There’s not enough tension and push/pull. So when his pipes do swell, it’s a very modest payoff.
PB: It’s not the focus anymore either, Vinh.
VC: Yep, this so-so shimmery folk-pop has been handed the reins.
JM: Track literally just left me here waiting for the next one to start. Worst so far.
PB: Alright, I haven’t read anything about this album, but is this supposed to recall a road trip? The track titles make me think so, and would explain a little of the fleeting quality.
Track 6 – ‘Hinnom, TX’
VC: Enjoying this thus far. Great depth to the track. Oh shit, what was that? Synth flourish?
JM: This is more like it, as Vinh said, nice depth and texture.
VC: This is stunning.
PB: Yeah, this is the most interesting track since ‘Minnesota, WI’.
JM: Really engaging.
PB: Agreed, Joe.
VC: Ghostly vocals are carrying the load, and there’s a repetitive, almost minimalist vibe creeping along under the whole thing. Terrific track, a minor triumph — these radiant whizzes and whirs flying off into the distance while the those velvety pipes guide it along with terrific poise.
MJ: I would have liked this one to go on a bit longer though.
PB: Just wish it was a little longer.
VC: Should have been in the 4-minute ballpark for sure. Arrangement is paced flawlessly, slackening and picking up at the exact right times.
JM: Agreed with all, the end was a bit abrupt.
Track 7 – ‘Wash.’
MJ: I’m assuming this is to do with Washington rather than bathing.
PB: Haha, yeah I think so.
VC: That road trip notion might be onto something. I hadn’t actually glanced at the tracklist until just now.
MJ: I’ll hold the “clean” puns then.
PB: Haha. Ok, so the piano and strings are gorgeous with Vernon’s voice.
VC: And “Bon Iver, Bon Iver” acting as “City, State” and such.
MJ: Oh yeah, I hadn’t thought of that.
JM: Jesus, how did I miss that?
PB: It does seem quite obvious.
VC: Very nice song again. Capitalizing on those otherworldly pipes and affording them the requisite room to breathe.
PB: It will be interesting to go back to the lyrics and look at them from that (road trip) angle.
JM: Slow, steady pace to this one and every piece fits well.
PB: And yeah, I like this track.
VC: Whoa, warbly vocals. I feel as though most of these tunes should have been this scaled back and willing to let the central player (Vernon’s voice) just dominate.
PB: I agree, but I understand wanting to expand and build up around that vocal center, though.
JM: Last two have been a thing of beauty.
VC: Nothing wrong with building around a strength, but one has to ensure they aren’t hindering it by bringing in new pieces. I sort of feel like the bigger arena has watered down a number of these songs instead of propping them up to unprecedented heights.
PB: Agreed.
MJ: I’ve really enjoyed the arrangements and instrumentation. Even the sax.
PB: In most cases, I think the arrangements have been well done. There have only been two tracks I found odd.
Track 8 – ‘Calgary’
VC: Ah, remember this one.
JM: This is the single? If so, I’ve heard this one before.
VC: Yep, we featured it on the site a while back.
PB: More prominent percussion again.
MJ: I think I will like this album even more in the winter.
VC: See, this is a steady incorporation of the fuller dynamic. No rush, take it slow and allow it to crest organically. Interesting notion, Matt. This seems closer to a thaw for me, though I do see how one could easily get lost in it during frosty nights while pining for spring.
JM: Is that lots of synth in the back?
PB: Yeah Joe, they’ve managed to make a lot of instruments I would have thought strange choices feel welcome.
VC: Which occasionally marks their downfall in my opinion. Sort of bleeds into a soupy harmlessness. Obviously not here, though.
MJ: Really strong track.
JM: Wow, really expansive feel to this one.
PB: Yeah, this is the most intense and elaborate so far.
VC: Pulled off the big vibes with flying colors. Primarily due to patience and a grasp of space, had to work its way into the gallop.
PB: I love it. It scaled back kind of predictably, but still very nice.
JM: That’s three stunners in a row for me.
PB: Agreed, Joe. This stretch has been really solid.
VC: Without question the strongest songs thus far. I want to go back and replay ‘Hinnom, TX’, that shit was spectacular.
Track 9 – ‘Lisbon, OH’
JM: No lyrics for this one, I believe.
PB: Interesting.
VC: Likely instrumental given its runtime.
PB: Yeah, I didn’t notice that at first.
VC: Decent enough. Bleeps and bloops here and there, sunrise glistening over the horizon — almost resembles soft-pedaled cosmiche. Not exactly captivating, though it could serve to usher in a truly massive closer. Would be a clever way to finish off our first taste of this bigger, brasher Bon Iver.
PB: Right.
JM: Seems a tad unneeded.
Track 10 – ‘Beth/Rest’
PB: Oh man, Chariots Of Fire keys.
VC: Hokeyness, gulp.
PB: Super-cheesy is my first reaction.
JM: Purposefully cheesy, I hope.
VC: How it’s intended doesn’t matter to me in the least.
MJ: This is some 80s cheese. Like that shit from Karate Kid 2.
PB: Haha, yeah.
VC: 80s piano-man feel, not keen on it. At all.
PB: That guitar, too. I can’t decide if they’re doing this well or if it’s disgusting.
VC: Latter for me.
JM: Haha, Karate Kid 2. This is rough so far.
VC: Like ‘Kids On The Run’ for The Tallest Man On Earth, seems like a misguided attempt to reconcile an artist’s true nature with kitschy bullshit. Of course, folks will eat this up because Bon Iver goes out on the slightest of limbs. Oh my, the gall.
MJ: I don’t understand what happened here.
PB: I agree, Vinh. I really don’t care about this song. I just want to skip it and start the album over.
VC: Thing is, they could have easily skipped the cheese and retained many of the same qualities — melody, stirring vocals, etc. Strikes me as a very conscious nod to the 80s…or rather a boring wink of the eye to listeners.
PB: True, and with almost no other references like that (sax being one), I don’t understand it.
MJ: Dire Straits.
PB: And bad Dire Straits.
JM: This is some garbage, how can they end it like this? After three great tracks leading up to the finish, they end with this.
PB: This feels like it should be in the slow-dance scene of an 80s teen movie.
MJ: Boo.
PB: Ugh.
JM: Feels like an Empire Burlesque b-side.
VC: Can’t stand this. These are some Buffett-grade shenanigans.
Closing/Miscellaneous Thoughts
MJ: Well, except for that last song, I really liked Bon Iver, Bon Iver.
PB: So I’m left feeling just a bit better than average toward the album.
VC: I thought it was spotty, though they were certainly excellent moments. That 3-song stretch Joe alluded to earlier is phenomenal.
PB: I think the startling moments at the beginning will settle in, but I really don’t want to hear that last song ever again.
JM: Definitely better than average but didn’t live up to my admittedly high expectations.
VC: Mine were modest, thankfully. Around what I anticipated.
MJ: I liked the start a lot too.
PB: I put it back on, and I like the guitar lick on ‘Perth’ quite a bit.
MJ: After the Kanye thing, I’m sure this will be very popular.
VC: Bon Iver was kind of huge to begin with but yeah, they’ll certainly grow in exposure. Already on the cover of Billboard and Spin.
PB: I was hesitant going into the album, too, and I think it’s a solid second effort.
JM: Anyone want to venture a number out of 10?
VC: Mid-7s…maybe closer to low 7s.
MJ: I’d agree with that.
PB: Sure.
JM: Yeah, it seems like 7.5 is a fitting score.
MJ: Can’t give it an 8 but definitely in the 7s.
JM: The last track is such a shame ’cause with a better final track, it could be an 8.
PB: I agree.
MJ: I was thinking Top Of The Pops before ‘Beth/Rest’.
VC: I’m not sure I’d go that high. Those tracks after the first two really dragged on and on, was hard to get through.
PB: There were two in the middle I wasn’t a fan of, either. I think ‘Towers’ and ‘Michicant’.
VC: Not fond of ‘Holocene’ either.
MJ: ‘Hinnon, TX’ saved it.
VC: Yeah, Matt. Great tune. For me, the clear standout. Found a way to blend the essence of ‘Woods’ into the new, bigger Bon Iver.
JM: I’ve gotta listen again, not familiar enough with the track titles.
PB: Oh yeah, maybe it was ‘Holocene’ I didn’t like.
* non-sequitur*
MJ: I HATE FLEET FOXES.
PB: New Fleet Foxes is ok.
VC: I dislike them too, though not in all caps.
MJ: haha
PB: It’s definitely not worth getting excited about.
VC: Oh no, ‘Holocene’ is back for more.
JM: ‘Calgary’ might be my fav.
PB: I think mine too, Joe.
VC: Good song to be sure.
MJ: I like ‘Minnesota, WI’ and ‘Calgary’ the best.
PB: ‘Holocene’ is just flat-out boring.
VC: Vernon really gets lost on ‘Holocene’. The larger frames sort of render his contributions flat and lifeless where he’s usually undeniable. That’s my main qualm with these softer entries: They’re bigger but Vernon’s not reaching any higher, so they sort of dilute his power.
PB: Without taking into account lyrics, the percussion is the only redeeming quality of ‘Holocene’.
VC: It picks up slightly toward the end, yet it feels gratuitous to me. Boring as fuck for 5 minutes, let’s throw them a bone.
PB: Yeah.
VC: ‘Hinnom, TX’ has circled back. So good.
PB: For me, too.
MJ: My girlfriend is listening to the Spice Girls in the other room.
PB: Would take Spice Girls over ‘Beth/Rest’.
VC: Nothing wrong with spicing up your life. Pop songs that don’t take themselves seriously and can exhibit that sort of conviviality are fine by me.
PB: Me too, Vinh.
JM: I don’t think I know one Spice Girls song.
VC: How are you not aware of ‘Wannabe’? That number’s golden.
MJ: Agree, it’s a lot better than Kesha.
JM: I would definitely know it if I heard it but I couldn’t place the title of any of them.
VC: I’m youtubing Spice Girls songs now. Thank your girl for me, Matt.
JM: Yeah, I’m turning on ‘Wannabe’.
VC: ‘Wannabe’ is turning you on.
JM: Oh shit, this is the Spice Girls.
VC: Probably best one of us isn’t reviewing the album or we’d be comparing ‘Holocene’ with Spice Girls jams.
MJ: Joe, life will never be the same now.
VC: Zig-a-zig-ahhhhh
JM: ‘Wannabe’ on repeat this summer.
VC: On repeat right now. Damn, the official video’s fire too. Aside from Scary(?). She seems a touch too invested in this whole thing.
PB: Loved that video.
MJ: I took my girlfriend to see the Spice Girls on their reunion tour a couple of years back. It was a Christmas present.
VC: That actually sounds like it’d be hilarious fun.
JM: That crowd must of been tons of fun.
MJ: It was a little different from a rock show, that’s for sure.
VC: ‘Viva Forever’ doesn’t pack the same punch ‘Wannabe’ did…the ‘Holocene’ to ‘Hinnom, TX’, I suspect. This is taking shape slowly.
PB: Didn’t the Spice Girls have a slow jam?
MJ: ’2 Become 1′
PB: Oh yeah, good shit.
JM: Spice Girls rec next week, Tim Hardie style.
VC: ‘Say You’ll Be There’. Funky junk. Baby Spice is somewhat attractive.
PB: That one, too. Loved ‘Say You’ll Be There’.
VC: If one positive came from this FI, it’s discovering our mutual respect for the Spice Girls, and in turn a newfound respect for you gents.
JM: Spice Girls are officially SOTS-approved. Which I’m sure means a lot to them.
VC: Spice Girls > Sleater-Kinney. Come at me, Todd Kearns!
PB: lol
JM: haha
VC: The ‘Say You’ll Be There’ video is even better than the one for ‘Wannabe’. Weaponry and cleavage in the desert, what more could anyone want?
PB: I didn’t even make it 3 seconds into ‘Beth/Rest’ this time.
MJ: I’m going to have to get back to L.A. Noire pretty soon.