In my full discography reviews there are 3 sections for each album I reviewed. The first is my thoughts while listening. These thoughts are written both during and after my listen. Next is my track ranking. Every track on the album is ranked from best to worst. Next to each track title is the real placement on the album (in bold). Lastly is my overall rating of the album. I use both a ‘out of 5’ star rating system and number out of 100 rating system.

For Emma, Forever Ago (2008)

Thoughts:

For Emma, Forever Ago is undeniably influential. Bon Iver’s sound has since come to reach Taylor Swift’s production. This is the album that started it all. With that in mind, it’s worth questioning how enjoyable it is now. In the context of the electronic atmospheres that Bon Iver has entered since his debut, this honestly doesn’t do it for me compared to albums like 22, A Million. This doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy For Emma, Forever Ago but it does weaken my listening experience slightly. The acoustic, warm, cabin in the snow sound is drawn out and Bon Iver doesn’t do much to diversify the sound. There are certainly stand-out tracks, but if I want a sound like this with a little deeper meaning and a little more creativity, I’ll listen to something like Dawn by Mount Eerie, which highlights similar emotions and sounds but does it in a more well-written way. Even Dawn can drag on and I think that is inevitable because this specific genre can result in endless whining and acoustic guitars. Despite all this, many key tracks remain locked in my brain after listening and they are completely worth noting. For example, Lump Sum has a heartbeat that provides an addictive rhythm and swimming vocals float through the sound of the fiercely strummed chords. Skinny Love is a popular song but has become massively overplayed and terms of the lyrical content, is very off-putting. Creature Fear is another key track, with its quick ramp up into an energetic chorus and relaxing verses. The ending is smooth and very subtly transitions into the next track, Team, which is a nice instrumental break, but doesn’t stand out that much and the whistling is slightly annoying. For Emma is an instant classic. There’s something about that song. The trumpets are rich and the track manages to be brutal while also completely elegant and rich. Overall, this album is good. ‘Good’ isn’t usually a word that you want to use when describing albums, but this record provided a excellent gateway into indie music and that’s pretty much its sole purpose. Yes, there are some beautiful takeaways but it’s not an album I find myself wanting to turn back and listen over and over again.

Track Ranking:

1. Lump Sum (2)
2. For Emma (8)
3. Re: Stacks (9)
4. Blindsided (5)
5. Flume (1)
6. Team (7)
7. Creature Fear (6)
8. Skinny Love (3)
9. The Wolves (Act I and II) (4)

Overall Rating:

3 out of 5 stars

78/100

Blood Bank (EP) (2009)

Thoughts:

A small collection of songs that are simple, beautiful, and up there with some of the best songs off of his debut. Bon Iver specializes in making an auditory campfire with songs that are warm and passionate. The title track swells and breathes deep sighs of sweet guitar, creating a sound that reminds you of smooth gusts of wind. Beach Baby is one of my all time favorite tracks from Justin Vernon  (the front man of Bon Iver) and the vocals almost sound like he is weeping. Babys is incredible, reminding me of some of the piano from Call Me By Your Name. Finally, Woods is a song that introduces Vernon’s now signature sound of layered and auto-tuned vocals. Overall a very solid album from Bon Iver, and one of his best.

Track Ranking:

1. Beach Baby (2)
2. Blood Bank (1)
3. Babys (3)
4. Woods (4)

Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

86/100

Bon Iver (2011)

Thoughts:

Bon Iver’s self titled sophomore album provides a much more orchestral and large-scale sound. In my opinion, it is definitely a sonic step up from For Emma, Forever Ago. However, the lyrics and themes are slightly dryer and sound like an imitation of his debut. Holocene is one of my most listened to songs of all time, but with time, it has become increasingly dryer and proves my earlier point that the signature ‘Bon Iver’ sound can become boring if it doesn’t experiment or try new things.

Track Ranking:

1. Calgary (8)
2. Minnesota, WI (2)
3. Holocene (3)
4. Wash. (7)
5. Michichant (5)
6. Perth (1)
7. Towers (4)
8. Hinnon, TX (6)
9. Beth/Rest (10)
10. Lisbon, OH (9)

Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

80/100

22, A Million (2016)

Thoughts:

My favorite of Bon Iver’s releases, 22, A Million, is a more electronic approach to his music, but still lush and soulful like his earlier releases. Like I said earlier, Bon Iver’s music can become boring if nothing changes about it, and this album proves that Justin Vernon knows this. Yes, the titles are little cringe but the music is really beautiful and it has some of my favorite songs by them.

Track Rating:

1. 22, A Million (1)
2. 29 #Strafford APTS (5)
3. 666 ʇ (6)
4. 715 – CRΣΣKS (3)
5. 33 “GOD” (4)
6. 8 (circle) (8)
7. ____45_____ (9)
8. 00000 Million (10)
9. 10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⚄⚄(2)
10. 21 M♢♢N WATER (7)

Overall Ranking:

4 and 1/2 stars (out of 5)

91/100

i,i (2019)

Thoughts:

This is a very divisive album in terms of Bon Iver fans. This is my least favorite album from them. It’s weird, disjointed, and unfocused. Justin Vernon’s vocals, which usually are a highlight of Bon Iver’s releases, gets annoying and whiny. Yes, yes, I know. I’m listening to the pinnacle of whiny indie guitar sad adult man music, but usually I can tolerate that because of the quality of releases like Bon Iver, Bon Iver or 22, a Million, or maybe even For Emma. But this is disappointing. There are a few hits, however. iMi is semi-enjoyable. With an explosive sound and one that captures the feeling of both Bon Iver’s debut and their third album, 22, a Million. U(Man Like) is a cool gospel-esque piano backed track. Also, Jelmore, a cool electronic track. Aside from those and maybe a few others, this album is filled with confusion and loud audible sighs from myself. Boo.

Track Ranking:

Jelmore (8)

iMi (2)

RABi (13)

Hey, Ma (5)

Marion (10)

Holyfields, (4)

Salem (11)

U (Man Like) (6)

Naeem (7)

Sh’diah (12)

Yi (1)

Faith (9)

We (3)

Overall Rating:

2 stars (out of 5)

48/100