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March 20, 2008
MS Pick - Bon Iver
Bon Iver’s story is one loaded with ingredients for myth making manipulation. It starts with a cabin in the woods of rural Wisconsin and ends with an album influenced by ghosts from within that were granted release with the help of severe isolation prodding a creative catharsis. In 2007, Bon Iver (real name Justin Vernon) spent four months in a cabin recording For Emma, Forever Ago. All it takes is one spin of this record to recognize the harsh, unforgiving climate needed to create such heartbreaking music.
When the passion in Bon Iver’s voice increases intensity, it breaks through the gentle folksy veneer and reminds of an emotionally overwhelmed version of [TV On the Radio’s] Tunde Adebimpe’s jarring inflection. Otherwise buttery smooth, the dynamic transitions from soft to loud change with such dramatic effect you’d swear a chorus of doppelgangers is lurking in the overdubbed shadows.
The tragic truth behind the words of this gorgeous song lays bare a path blemished by rotten loves poisoning the hopeful airs of springing futures with a memory cloud of past failures. In other words, any promise of new love will ultimately get ensnared by the lingering issues of loves preceding. A point most telling in the painted imagery of romantic bondage from the following lyrics:
“I'll be holding all the tickets/ And you'll be owning all the fines”
-- -- --
Bon Iver is currently on tour with the artist behind my 19th favorite album of 2007 -- Phosphorescent. Dates after the jump
//Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago - buy
//Bon Iver - Myspace
//Bon Iver @ Jagjaguwar
03-20 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo +
03-21 Santa Barbara, CA - Muddy Waters +
03-22 Visalia, CA - Cellar Door +
03-23 San Francisco, CA - The Independent +
03-24 Portland, OR - Holocene +
03-25 Vancouver, British Columbia - Media Club +
03-26 Seattle, WA - Nectar +
04-01 Rock Island, IL - Huckleberry's Pizza Parlor
04-02 Grinnell, IA - Grinnel College
04-03 Upland - Taylor University
04-04 Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue
04-05 Iowa City, Iowa - University of Iowa
04-07 Columbia, Missouri - Mojo's
04-08 St. Louis, MO - Biliken *
04-09 Urbana, IL - Canopy Club *
04-10 Chicago, IL - Lakeshore Theater *
04-11 Madison, Wisc - Orpheum Theater *
04-12 St. Paul, MN - Turf Club *
04-13 St. Paul, MN - Turf Club #
04-14 Duluth, MN - Kirby Rafter (Duluth University)
04-15 Fargo, ND - Aquarium
+ w/ Phosphorescent
* w/Collections of Colonies of Bees
# w/ The Wars of 1812
Posted by Merry Swankster at March 20, 2008 10:10 AM
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