Graham Reid | | <1 min read
Bon Iver: Woods
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To be honest, the Bon Iver album For Emma, Forever Ago which appeared in many of last year's "best of" lists didn't arrrive at Elsewhere and, busy with so many others, I let it slide right past me. So I have only heard the odd track off compilations or at friends' houses.
This four song EP by Justin Vernon and friends is exactly the kind of subtle and understated follow-up you might expect after that multi-layered but folk-based album: here are Brian Wilson-like arrangements (albeit for Vocoder-processed vocals on the slightly eerie Woods), an Anglo-folk approach which has Bon Iver a close cousin on Fleet Foxes (Blood Bank), quiet acoustic guitar and beguiling vocals, a sense of social dislocation, gliding steel guitar . . .
Disarming and charming.
Reggie - Mar 20, 2009
Hey Graham ... you could just go down to Marbecks and buy the album like the rest of us ...
SaveTim - May 29, 2009
This EP is fine, but you really do need to get, and get to know "For Emma..." It is a long slow burn that keeps on giving. A real keeper. For my money the best of last year.
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