Though last year's soaring LP Repave by Volcano Choir essentially acted as a new Bon Iver effort, it's really been three years since the act Justin Vernon came to fame with has issued anything new. In the run-up to Repave's release in September, Vernon expounded on the silence surrounding Bon Iver, saying "I really have to be in a specific
headspace to even begin to illuminate an idea that would create another
Bon Iver record, and I'm just not there." At the time his words were effectively a death knell, terrifying fans (myself included) that a follow-up to Bon Iver Bon Iver would never come.
Today then is a cause for minor celebration amongst Bon Iver torch-carriers. As previously reported on the blog, Bon Iver is contributing a new effort to the upcoming Zach Braff film Wish I Was Here and today Line of Best Fit points out the song "Heavenly Father" has officially debuted. In terms of sound, it owes at least a bit of rent to Repave closer "Almanac" which was similarly constructed around an electronic figure. That said, the synthesizer in "Almanac" was far more confident and forward-moving than the electro manipulation we hear in "Heavenly Father". The piece hiccups and stutters in shifted pitches as Vernon's familiar ache floats atop. At times invading hi-hats tics make you think "Heavenly Father" could launch into trap territory if given enough time. But the song doesn't have that kind of certainty. Vernon's perpetually wondering if he can ever come to accept a higher power, or so it seems. "I was never sure how much of you I could let in," could be a religious skeptic's call to the Lord or an explanation offered to a former lover why things didn't work out. With "Heavenly Father" Bon Iver show why love and religion aren't the right answer for everyone, they're riddled with far too many questions that can never fully be answered. (You can listen to "Heavenly Father" now through the All Songs Considered Media Player on NPR and look for the Wish I Was Here soundtrack to drop digitally July 15.)
So here it is, the #1 album of 2011 as chosen by me. It's been a long-road getting here and its something I really didn't want to do as you'll soon find out. Thanks to everyone whose read the list so far and for those of you who haven't, here it is one final time.
30. 4- Beyonce
29. The Dreamer, The Believer- Common
28. Just Once EP- How to Dress Well
27. Alien Observer- Grouper
26. Step Brothers- Don Trip & Starlito
25. Cole World: Sideline Story- J. Cole
24. Weekend at Burnies- Curren$y
23. Suck It and See- Arctic Monkeys
22. Celestial Lineage- Wolves in the Throne Room
21. The Whole Love- Wilco
20. Bad As Me- Tom Waits
19. Live, Love, A$AP- A$AP Rocky
18. Helplessness Blues- Fleet Foxes
17. 21- Adele
16. Wounded Rhymes- Lykke Li
15. Hilarious- Louis C.K.
14. Cults- Cults
13. Goblin- Tyler, the Creator
12. Tomboy- Panda Bear
11. Strange Mercy- St. Vincent
10. Parallax- Atlas Sound
9. Nostalgia, Ultra- Frank Ocean
8. House of Balloons- The Weeknd
7. Take Care- Drake
6. undun-The Roots
5. Father, Son, Holy Ghost- Girls
4. Dedication- Zomby
3. James Blake- James Blake
2. Watch the Throne- The Throne
#1 Bon Iver- Bon Iver
I’ll admit right now, I’m scared to write this review, terrified really. The reason for my fear is quite simple; no album was a bigger part of my life in 2011 than this one. From the moment I picked it up in the store, to the split-second I finished and pressed repeat, I was captivated. I connected with this album in a way I couldn’t with any other record this year. To me, writing this review marks the end of a year, and the album will never quite have the same importance again.
Bon Iver’s importance will only marginally diminish, given that it reads as the textbook example of a “perfect album.” The rippling waves of guitar on opener “Perth,” inform us this is a wholly new Bon Iver. Still subtle, but stronger. An echoing chorus soon escorts the line; a smooth snare drum beats in, paving the way for that voice. Even four years after his first album, I’m still mesmerized by that voice. It’s frail, yet sure of itself. “This is not a place,” he angelically sings. The puzzling line (one of many on the album) is endemic of the cover: familiar and foreign all the same.
"Perth"
The epic sweep is diminished by the slow crawl of “Minnesota, WI,” sporting well-timed horns and guitar lines. The third track “Holocene,” is one of the most beautiful tracks Bon Iver has crafted yet and warrants its Grammy nod. “Some way baby, its part of me, apart from me,” the song opens with. The line is so skillfully generalized that its empowerment or discouragement is entirely in the eye of the beholder. All of that is erased in the second verse where “3rd and Lake,” is recalled. “And at once I knew I was not magnificent,” the chorus goes, clinging to that place of pain for eternity.
"Holocene"
Bon Iver has always been effective at detailing a relatable sense of yearning; it’s a cold wind blowing through the lonely log cabin he builds for himself. The lush orchestration drives that point home, where Bon Iver’s loneliness was once conveyed by a single voice and guitar; it is now amplified by massive choruses and slow-motion synthesizers. “I was unafraid, I was a boy, I was a tender age,” is the greeting we get on “Michicant.” This is an album so consumed with the past; the present is of little concern. The first thaw Bon Iver is waiting for on standout “Wash.” encapsulates everything this album is about. So many of us spend our time frozen in a moment, waiting for a day that may never come. “All been living alone,” is how “Wash.” ends, and its true. When we spend all our time waiting, nothing will ever come. Bon Iver knows that pain of waiting all too well. It’s an album that transcends time, but is at ease with moving right alongside it. It will always represent 2011 for me, even if it no longer sounds the same.
"Wash."
I hope you all enjoyed the list, 2011 was phenomenal year for music and I enjoyed every second of it. Look forward to more coverage and reviews from me throughout 2012, stay safe, and enjoy the musical ride wherever it may take you.
Indie-label Jagjaguwar will be releasing a deluxe-edition of folk-group Bon Iver's self-titled sophomore album. As promotion for the release, which drops tomorrow, a video for album-cut "Hinnom, TX," has been premiered. For that deluxe-edition, each song from the album will now be accompanied by a video. There is no word yet on whether previous tracks that have received video-treatment will get a new visual or not. I guess we'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out. (The videos are all up now and it each song has received a new video.)
The glowing video is bathed in the light of the Texas sun, as we move down a desert interstate. In my opinion, the biggest success with this video is the contrast of the visual, which is stunningly warm, while the music and vocals suggest a bitter cold. Such a brilliant juxtaposition only adds to the impressive body of work to emerge from Bon Iver.
