Bon Iver - Bon Iver

Eau Claire, Wisconsin's own Bon Iver (a.k.a. Justin Vernon) is back with his much anticipated, brand new self titled studio release. This effort finds the singer-songwriter continuing to bring his organic and dynamic blend of indie folk to a receptive and understanding audience who really connected immensely with his last studio release, 2008's For Emma, Forever Ago.

The disc kicks off masterfully with "Perth", a bombastic and upbeat tune that finds Justin bringing his deep and resonating vocal patterns front and center with this diverse and resourceful track. "Minnesota, WI" makes great use of the instrumentation at hand to create a sonic delight that makes you feel like you're outside in a log cabin, deep in the woods experiencing this track being created right before your very eyes.  "Towers" is a track that is brimming of positivity right from the get-go with its incredible electric guitar rhythms and Justin's emotionally gripping vocals taking ahold of you almost immediately after first listening to it. "Michicant" brings the energy level down quite a bit with a ethereal and passionate tune that hearkens back to the dreary, emotional energy that permeated Bon Iver's last album and is one that you'll have to draw up alot of composure to withstand and not break into tears while you're listening to it.

We head into the disc's second half with "Wash.", a piano laden, downtempo tune that finds Justin bringing his beautiful and emotionally signifying vocals to a whole new level with an dazzling array of instrumentation to bring the emotional intensity to a whole new level never displayed before. My favorite song off the disc is the album's first single, "Calgary" an emotional, tearjerker ballad that you will feel the effects of as soon as you hit 'Play' with Justin's dazzling vocal power once again put on display to captivate the audience with unwavering emotional power. I guarantee that there won't be a dry eye in the house after hearing this song, if you aren't crying by the end of this song then there's something definitely wrong with you! The disc comes to a close with "Beth/Rest", an appropriate tune to close out the disc with a sea of amazing piano patterns coupled with some dazzling guitar riffs that brings everything we've heard so far on the disc in one amazing display of musicianship and power. It's not too often that we find a disc that brings out the emotions of yourself and anyone else who might be in the same room, either listening to music on the stereo or watching an artist perform live. Bon Iver has found the perfect formula for allowing people to unravel emotionally and show their true colors and know that it's perfectly normal to display emotion while listening or watching music being performed live, it's all a part of the human experience.

All in all, a fantastic and well rounded disc from Bon Iver, who has captivated and dazzled audiences once again with an emotional and defining album that shows off the amazing musical talents that he has and how he eloquently communicates with his listening audience through the power of song.

                                                                                                                                 Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

    1.    Perth
    2.    Minnesota, WI
    3.    Holocene
    4.    Towers
    5.    Michicant
    6.    Hinnom, TX
    7.    Wash.
    8.    Calgary
    9.    Lisbon, OH
    10.    Beth/Rest