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Blood Bank [EP]
by
Blood Bank [EP] Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 74 Ratings

  • Summary: The four-track EP was recorded at different places between December 2006 and June 2008.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Paste Magazine
    85
    The record sounds, appropriately so, as if it were made by a band experimenting, rather than by one man alone, heartbroken, in his so-often-talked-about Wisconsin cabin.
  2. The A.V. Club
    83
    Blood Bank leaves something to be desired--namely the fragility and unplanned expansiveness that defined Emma. Fortunately, this set's remaining songs benefit from feeling slightly incomplete.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    80
    The Blood Bank EP is a fine appendix to the Bon Iver story, so far, and in its subdued elegance, the title track has all the emotional generosity of giving blood, tinged with the awareness of mortality.
  4. Billboard
    70
    The Vocoder on the a cappella track 'Woods' puts forth a robotic wooziness that's more about technical expression than personal sentiment. With full-band backing, Vernon also seems more social on the title track and 'Babys.' What remains from "For Emma" is a dizzying and ethereal beauty.
  5. Observer Music Monthly
    70
    Vernon is great at seizing on something simple and spinning it out to reveal its innner beauty and this EP shows that there's more than just heartbreak to the 27-year-old. The title track, however, does sound like something by Coldplay.
  6. musicOMH.com
    70
    It sees Vernon moving things on a touch, artistically, while still retaining much of what made his debut such a delight to so many.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    It might be helpful to think of Blood Bank not as an EP but as a single with a solid new A-side and three largely irrelevant B-sides.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. charlesobrien
    Sep 9, 2012
    10
    One of the greatest and moving EP's released during the last decade.
  2. vmd1020
    Jun 2, 2011
    10
    I honestly don't know why this EP wasn't received nearly as well as For Emma, its basically the b-sides and you can tell (which is a goodI honestly don't know why this EP wasn't received nearly as well as For Emma, its basically the b-sides and you can tell (which is a good thing). "Blood Bank", the track, is extremely strong and "Babys" is haunting beautiful. With "Woods", Vernon stepped out of his expected sound and made a masterpiece of a song (personally, I think this track may have inspired James Blake a bit).… Expand
  4. aArONM
    Jan 22, 2009
    9
    Great EP. Bon Iver is silently moving through the shadows of the industry. HIs last album, "For Emma, Forever Ago" was amazing. This album Great EP. Bon Iver is silently moving through the shadows of the industry. HIs last album, "For Emma, Forever Ago" was amazing. This album brings joy to my patience of an album release soon. Another great to come!… Expand
  5. MarlonZ
    Jan 22, 2009
    9
    Beautifully constructed and astoundingly performed. Every bit as good as "For Emma, Forever Ago".
  6. ellisfetus
    May 30, 2015
    9
    A much warmer offering than For Emma, Forever Ago, it's four songs are soulful and evoke incredible emotions. A fitting follow up to BonA much warmer offering than For Emma, Forever Ago, it's four songs are soulful and evoke incredible emotions. A fitting follow up to Bon Iver's debut album.… Expand
  7. Ricko
    Jun 13, 2020
    8
    Listening to this 10 years on, it's a nice mix of where Bon Iver were and where the sound would go and fits in better with the whole backListening to this 10 years on, it's a nice mix of where Bon Iver were and where the sound would go and fits in better with the whole back catalog now than it did at the time, as a direct follow to the incredible "For Emma, Forever Ago". The ambience and folk are nicely blended with hints of folktronica coming in. The additional live versions of the original 4 tracks makes this even more appealing, especially for those who may have missed the physical version first time around.… Expand
  8. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 7, 2021
    6
    a fine appendix to the Bon Iver story, so far, and in its subdued elegance, the title track has all the emotional generosity of giving blood,a fine appendix to the Bon Iver story, so far, and in its subdued elegance, the title track has all the emotional generosity of giving blood, tinged with the awareness of mortality… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews