Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Artist: Bon Iver
Album: For Emma, Forever Ago
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 3 of 5


When I was listening to Bon Iver's "For Emma, Forever Ago" I thought of a good comparison for the album. A ghost would be the easiest way to describe it.

From the opening verse, most of the time is spent listening to single vocal tracks and harmonies that have been shaped to sound quite ethereal. The guitar follows along given some depth to the voices like tendrils of mist slowly following along.

Although the album spends much time as a lingering wisp, it does show hints of force. Tracks like "Skinny Love", "Creature Fear" and "For Emma" show hints that the album is hiding some force that just doesn't seem to make its way to the surface.

Unfortunately like a ghost, there does seem to be quite a bit of dead air. I understand that we can't expect a constant barrage of sound but I find that there is too much space between the lines at times and I really cannot discern a message there.

There is something hidden here just like the faces that might exist on the album cover.