The Thousands

Usually, the more elaborate the ‘story’ behind an album is – the more it sucks.

So what to make of a beautiful album with a dramatic backstory? It’s like a hot chick who’s described as having a “good personality”.

Last winter, Justin Vernon moved to a cabin in the (freezing cold) woods of Northwestern Wisconsin, and spent three months alone, chopping wood, doing chores, and recording FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO. It’s mellow, emotive, melancholy folk, like The Arcade Fire gone acoustic, Neil Young, Destroyer – even Bill Withers at times.**While most modern day folk bands get caught up in the annoying affectations of “freak” folk, Bon Iver’s debut is simply good, compelling songwriting. It sounds like a lost relic of the ’60s, but – refreshingly – it doesn’t sound like a bunch of hipsters TRYING to make an album that sounds like a lost relic of the ’60s.

Geez. I wish more dudes would start moving to the woods to make albums.