User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 440 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 401 out of 440
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Mixed: 10 out of 440
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Negative: 29 out of 440
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Jan 7, 2018
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Jun 7, 2022most subtle incorporation of drum machines, horns, and vocal effects transforms Bon Iver’s music from the quiet afterthought that characterizes much of today’s indie-folk into a sonic landscape of moods and nuances.
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Aug 22, 2011
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Jul 30, 2023
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Mar 6, 2015
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May 22, 2019Justin Vernon's musical genius is impossible to deny on this album. You can hear his pure emotion and rawness on each and every track. Vernon's voice is hauntingly beautiful, and often the listener gets lost within this album.
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Jan 9, 2022An honorable debut by Bon Iver with soothing vocals and enchanting instrumentals. Something to bring comfort and warmth back into a cold broken heart. It's perhaps a bit rudimentary, but nonetheless effective.
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Aug 18, 2019Beautiful Debut. Bon Iver's music is consistently always beautiful.
Best Tracks: Skinny Love, Flume, The Wolves(Act I and II),For Emma, Team
Worst Tracks: Lump Some -
Nov 9, 2012Sad, sorrowful, and, at times, quite powerful. Bon Iver's debut will quietly blow you away.
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Jan 5, 2020This record might just be among the top 5 most beautiful albums I've ever heard. Perfect indie folk album. It's devastating, many moments on here are so painfully crushing, but he still manages to close the record in a hopeful light with what I believe to be possibly the most brilliant closer song ever: Re: Stacks.
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Mar 24, 2014Words cannot explain how much I love this album. There's a comforting feeling in this album-- it's heartbreaking, but at the same time, it has a light of optimism that shines. This album is relaxing and Justin Vernon's singing is distinctive.
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Mar 25, 2022really depressing album, it feels as if you can hear the isolation vernon put himself through. however, some songs feel as if they overstay their welcome.
best song: skinny love
worst song: blindsided -
Apr 8, 2021A cathartic piece that builds you up just to tear you right back down to you core.
9.2/10 -
Sep 9, 2012Beautiful, Eerie and intimate. Bon Iver at its finest.
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Apr 29, 2018This album is sadder than In The Aeroplane Over The Sea, more intimate than Either/Or, and more expressive than anything released in the 2000s.
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Jun 2, 20115000 characters isn't enough so I'll sum it up with this: perfect. I can honestly listen to this album anytime/season/place etc...easily in my Top 10 albums of all time (talking about ones made in my lifetime).
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Jul 14, 2011
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Nov 18, 2014Beautifully sung, written, arranged and just beautiful in general.
For Emma, Forever Ago connects with the listener in a way which Justin Vernon does very easily. The lyrics effortlessly provoke all kinds of feelings. Something which modern music almost never does nowadays. Skinny Love and Creature Fear are especially brilliant. -
Mar 28, 2012This is a pretty nice album with a subtle and interesting feel to it. It's the type of music you would listen to if you were camping with a bunch of friends and you got stuck in a rainstorm in the middle of the afternoon. Give it a chance, it's a fine listen.
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Mar 20, 2014
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May 30, 2015Throw this up as my favorite album of all time, there isn't a single bad song in the collection. It is filled with emotion and is incredibly relate-able.
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Jun 20, 2011It is heartbreakingly lovely, personal, and visceral. It is perfect for lying in bed and dozing, reading, or having on outside in the sun for a day. This album couldn't be better.
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Dec 3, 2011Refreshing, soulful album. New sound for alternative, and we can only hope we keeps this up. Crossroads will happen if he decides to continue to experiment or move to a more mainstream sound
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Jun 16, 2011
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Jan 30, 2013A beautiful, yet sparse debut. Vernon flays his very heart out for the listener. It is full of pure, raw emotion. The guitars are perfectly placed, juxtaposed by Vernon's introspective, albeit mysterious lyrics.
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Jun 25, 2013
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Apr 21, 2015
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MauriceS.Aug 1, 2008Such sadness, but such beauty. His voice stays with me for hours
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AniruddhaB.Jan 6, 2009Beautiful album. Justin Vernon's voice is so intimate... yet so intense... the best of the year for me along with portishead's third.
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christianp.Feb 27, 2008What a fantastic album. The vocals are hauntingly familiar and there is enough subtle diversity to keep the record fresh. My only complaint is that there are only 8 full songs on it -- it's a lovely listen though.
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Awards & Rankings
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A sure-footed assertion of the artist's individual talents and landing it a spot among the best folk records of 2007 has to offer.
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As good as it is, it’s clear that Vernon still has room to grow. A few songs could have used a little extra instrumental kick, and while his songs are great, you can tell he has more to offer. Keep an eye on this one.
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Vernon gives a soulful performance full of intuitive swells and fades, his phrasing and pronunciation making his voice as much a purely sonic instrument as his guitar.