It pretty much shot to the number one spot of my best of 2008 list. There's been plenty of good albums out this year but none of them are as consistently good as For Emma. There isn't a bad song on it and each day my favorite changes. That's a mark of a great album...It probably doesn't hurt that it's only 9 songs long. I wish more bands would adhere to this kind of editing policy and not put everything that comes to their mind on the album...

Here's a great review from Uncut - Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago - Review - Uncut.co.uk

I'm probably going to use Vernon's blueprint for creating an album (going out into the middle of nowhere) if I ever gain the confidence to write my own material. I thought the album was absolutely brilliant, and I couldn't get enough of it. It was so poignant, so laden with emotion I couldn't comprehend it. It took me several runs through to grasp the sheer beauty of his self-harmonization and simplicity of the guitar. I thought it was an amazing album, from beginning to end.

I listened to this so much for like a week after it came out. I haven't listened to it since then though. I guess I burnt out on it. Lump Sum is probably my favorite off it.

For all those bandwagon jumpers ;) :

I don't do bandwagons, but I'll give it a try.
He has to meet one of two criteria.
1. Be poignant and soulful
or,
2. Original and interesting.

I don't think he IS particulary original but he is definitely poignant, soulful and for me: Truthful. Truthful to the music he wants to make. His voice is also ridiculously brilliant too! 'Blindsided' is absolutely amazing. It is amazingly obvious to us all when we open our ears how beautiful one guy and an acoustic guitar can be.

/ditto

Well i'm sold, i'll give the album a pop.

So i popped this on last night and was breathtaken. Beautiful album. Acoustic songrwiters have never been my 'thing' for whatever reasons, Bon Iver is contrary to this as with him it's just the bare essentials, like Jackhammer said really honest music that doesn't have anything unnecessary tagged onto it, just what it needs. At times it was almost like gospel music, music to think big thoughts to but still uplifting.
Probably will be high in my list for the best of the year. The hype is deserved!

Another convert! http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/c...lpower/yay.gif