#14 - Bon Iver

Albums Included in Rating:

For Emma, Forever Ago (2008), Bon Iver (2011), 22, A Million (2016), I, I (2019)

How much do I like my favorite track on the album? 12.8 points

Creature Fear (For Emma, Forever Ago)

Like much of Bon Iver's music, I imagine I am sitting in a forest when I hear it. Soft. There's a campfire vibe here. And fits ever so nicely within the entire album’s extraordinarily solemn vibe.

Holocene (Bon Iver)

If Bon Iver could keep this sound and release 100 more just like it I would be happy forever. Bon Iver pretty classically ignores choruses, and it's got to be intentional. The chorus feels more like a bridge in this song, and I'm honestly here for it. The opening guitar riff reminds me of wind chimes.

29 #Strafford APTS (22, A Million)

Once again, Bon Iver proves choruses aint nothing, it's about the journey. Starting to get more electronic here, but those multi level harmonies just give a level of depth and warmth to the song that is incredible.

Hey, Ma (I, I)

I went with the least electronic sounding piece on this album. Still just delivering on those harmonies like butter. The spoken voice quality really makes you feel like you are listening to someone tell you a very authentic story.

How did/does this album influence my own taste in music overall? 14.4 points

I credit Bon Iver for my strong inclination towards the Indie Folk Rock space. There’s just something that’s so beautiful about it and makes me coming back for more.

Does this album hold up since its release? 13.8 points

For Emma, Forever Ago and Bon Iver will forever hold up. They’re timeless. 22, A Million and I,I are a little more in the electronic nuanced space, and may not hold the same over time. Though it’s hard to say because they are still very relatively new.

What percentage of the album do I listen to? 7.23 points

Most of the skips come on the latter works.

What did/do the critics think of this album? 8.5 points

Bon Iver is a critical darling. One of the few artists on this list to say they don’t have a “dud” in the critics’ eyes.

What is the sentimental value to me of the album? 13.6 points

Can you even say you’re from Wisconsin and not like Bon Iver? The first two Bon Iver albums are classics.

What was the artists involvement of the production of the album - songwriting, instrumentals, vocals, uniqueness? 14.4 points

Justin Vernon does it all, and creates a unique and almost immediately recognizable sound.

Overall Rating out of 100 points = average 84.75 points

(For Emma, Forever Ago = 86.2, Bon Iver = 89.4, 22, A Million = 83.7, I, I = 79.8)

Many of the artists I love today were heavily influenced by Bon Iver. Like my previous entry on Beyonce, Bon Iver is unafraid to musically explore what’s outside of their expected norm. One distinct difference though is that Bon Iver’s sound and recognizability still shines through. There’s some recycled melodies, and that is ok. There’s something about the music that is peaceful. Vocals are imperfect in a way that only adds value. All parts of the sound are engineered to fill the whole soundscape in an ethereal fashion. If you only have time for one album, go for Bon Iver.