It's hard to believe that For Emma, Forever Ago is the work of one man. But when Justin Vernon's old band split he hauled himself (and presumably plenty of instruments and recording equipment) to his dad's hunting cabin in the woods of Wisconsin for the coldest season and worked through his issues in musical form. (The name comes from the French for "good winter"--"bon hiver"). By the start of the spring thaw he had recorded the bulk of this stunning debut, originally self-issued to acclaim last year in the USA and now picked up for a British release. Vernon's voice grabs the ear from the start, switching easily into a smooth falsetto (and unusually for a white indie lad, without the slightest intent of emulating Prince). The formula is straightforward. He layers his vocal harmonies, while a gently strummed acoustic rhythm guitar just about holds the centre. All else from horns to slide guitar is mere detail. The quality is rough and ready but the effect is strangely similar though to the slick vocal confections of European women like Bjork and Camille, all mystery and distance. It's the musical equivalent of reading someone else's diary. In code. Through a dirty window. Enigmatic songs like the elegantly stumbling "Creature Fear" with its rowdy horn parts, the resolute opener "Flume" and the evanescent "Team" are just so pretty they seem to glide by without leaving a mark in the snow. Vernon is apparently a straightforward and friendly guy, but For Emma, Forever Ago genuinely sounds like something from a far off place. --Steve Jelbert

It's hard to believe that For Emma, Forever Ago is the work of one man. But when Justin Vernon's old band split he hauled himself (and presumably plenty of instruments and recording equipment) to his dad's hunting cabin in the woods of Wisconsin for the coldest season and worked through his issues in musical form. (The name comes from the French for "good winter"--"bon hiver"). By the start of the spring thaw he had recorded the bulk of this stunning debut, originally self-issued to acclaim last year in the USA and now picked up by 4AD for a British release. Vernon's voice grabs the ear from the start, switching easily into a smooth falsetto (and unusually for a white indie lad, without the slightest intent of emulating Prince). The formula is straightforward. He layers his vocal harmonies, while a gently strummed acoustic rhythm guitar just about holds the centre. All else from horns to slide guitar is mere detail. The quality is rough and ready but the effect is strangely similar though to the slick vocal confections of European women like Bjork and Camille, all mystery and distance. It's the musical equivalent of reading someone else's diary. In code. Through a dirty window. Enigmatic songs like the elegantly stumbling "Creature Fear" with its rowdy horn parts, the resolute opener "Flume" and the evanescent "Team" are just so pretty they seem to glide by without leaving a mark in the snow. Vernon is apparently a straightforward and friendly guy, but For Emma, Forever Ago genuinely sounds like something from a far off place. --Steve Jelbert

i stumbled across this album last month on amazon and have been enjoying its delights ever since. im not normally the one to go for acoustics but this is something special.

Admittedly, I didn't know how much Bon Iver would be my cup of tea when I saw them listed as support for Iron and wine in May, but nothing could prepare me for what I saw. We're all entitled to our opinion, and there are some blunt ones :) but I saw Bon Iver silence a packed room for all the right reasons, and wondered how on earth Iron and wine could top it, thus prompting me to get this album. Don't get the same chills as I did that day, but it's a fantastic album. I knew nothing of rave reviews, but realised later that week that they must be receiving some, as there was an appearance on jools holland. Perhaps the album production isn't great as someone pointed out in a past review, but maybe it's about what the music means to you personally that gives it such value, and that means not everyone is going to like it :).

I really wanted to like this album, as it has had much critical acclaim and was also recommended to me by Amazon because of other items I had bought and/or reviewed.

I am a massive Neil Young fan, so in theory, I should have loved the sound of this record, which is like a homage to him. However, I found the vocals grated on me, and the overall effect was too try-hard, with, as I believe other reviewers have said, rudimentary strumming and not especially interesting or imaginative lyrics.

Again, as others have said, it makes a great marketing angle, the story behind this album, although it's clearly more polished than they'd have us believe, which actually is a concern; if this is what it sounds like polished and finished, what does the live incantation sound like? To answer that, I sought out live footage online and again, was not overawed by it.

For a better example of what Bon Iver is trying to achieve musically, try Coldplay or Neil Young in particular, both of whom are artists I enjoy and admire.

I had this recommended for me and saw some of the reviews and thought I would give it a try. Initially I tried to listen to the odd track in between working and though I liked it I was not sure it deserved all the high praise. Later when chilling out I stuck this on to give it another go, from the start with out interruption, what a difference it made, give it a go and be surprised.

I first saw bon iver performing skinny love on jools holland and was completely seduced by the almost unbelievable tenderness and honesty of justin vernon's songwriting. Forget the reviews. This album transcends pretty much everything else that has been released in 2008. To call it lo-fi is to do it an injustice. yes, the production values are low, but it was recorded in a log cabin with a couple of guitars, a basic drum kit and an old laptop. If it had been made in a studio with a full band it wouldn't be anywhere near as brilliant as it is. This is the sound of a man beaten and broken and looking for salvation in songwriting. Despite this the album is far from depressing. As vernon lays his soul bear over the 9 songs on the record it becomes uplifting and hopeful, medication through music if you like. Skinny Love is the most devastating song ever written. If it doesn't at least bring a small tear to your eye then you must have a heart of stone. Almost every song on here is a highlight, with the exception of team, a vocal-less extension of the stunning creature fear. I could listen this album endlessly (some days i do) and never tire of it.