Year in Review: Best Albums of 2007, Number 3

Thus far in ListenIn's music-of-2007 recap, the lists have been dominated by bands complex in either production, musicianship, or theme. While there have been moments of simplicity the trend has been toward featuring large, dynamic sounds or more fast-paced, high energy tunes. This changes today.

As always, ScooterDMan's comments are at the bottom in green, and you can find his number three pick over at his column.

3. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Amidst all of the more ornate constructions and sophisticated arrangements, Bon Iver climbs near the top of the stack by virtue of low-key instrumentations and an unadorned, bare vocal. Driven by an acoustic guitar and falsetto singing, For Emma, Forever Ago succeeds through warmth, straightforward musical presentation and touching, down-to-earth singing.

Written and recorded in a cabin in northwestern Wisconsin, Justin Vernon's nine tracks represent some of the most touching songs of the year. Whether in the steady and (relatively) up-tempo "Lump Sum" or the subdued and plaintive "Wolves (Act I and II)" which ends in a yearning crescendo, the album effortlessly evokes pure feeling. Introspective and self-deprecating, it manages downtrodden thoughtfulness without ever slipping into depression.

Front to back this release is filled with striking songs from the lilting, heartwrenching third track standout "Skinny Love" to the horn-accompanied title track to the stripped-down album-ender "re: Stacks." It's an album about isolation that is not at all isolating. It's mournful without wallowing in sadness and in the end is actually calming and somehow strangely hopeful. It offers clarity and perspective in the face of heartbreak and loss, and through its stunning forty minutes promises a bright musical future.

Check out my full review of this record.

Eric introduced me to this album exactly one month ago. I think I've listened to it every day since then. The revisionist in me will one day look back upon my Top 10 albums of 2007 and wonder how this one didn't make the cut. I mean, I think I've already decided that "Skinny Love" will be played at my future wedding (and I'm not even engaged, the song's just that good.) Seriously, the only reason why this record isn't in my Top 5 is because I haven't had it long enough. It wouldn't be fair to the other albums I've grown old with over the past 12 months. Bon Iver (aka Justin Vernon) has produced, quite possibility, the most musically pure album from either one of our lists. It's just Vernon, his powerful and soulful voice, and an array of acoustic instruments. Add that to a series of lyrically mysterious songs that evoke as much black gospel as they do Jose Gonzalez/Sam Beam style acoustica, and you have a late contender for album of the year. Seriously people, the name Bon Iver has graced the front page of Listen In many times in recent weeks, and it will likely find its way there more in the future. Considering this album doesn't see an official wide release (Vernon self released it earlier this year) until Feb. 2008, I may claim it for my Top Ten next year on a technicality ;)

Eric's Top Ten So Far:

4. The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour
5. Menomena - Friend or Foe
6. The Narrator - All That to the Wall
7. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
8. Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
9. The Forms - The Forms
10. Band of Horses - Cease to Begin

Check back in each day this week to hear our picks for the best albums of the year.

© Eric Atienza 2007 for ListenIn. Some rights reserved.

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Year in Review: Best Albums of 2007, Number 4

Eric Atienza

Tue Dec 11

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