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ATeezy: Hey man I gave the new Bon Iver record a listen on my drive up north last weekend. Its a real head-scratcher for me! I can't figure it out.
ATeezy: I think some parts are brilliant, but other parts I'm like "wtf I don't get it"
Paqman: I think that's it! I listened to this album at least 5 times and I really tried to like it cause I think Vernon is brilliant. It just didn't happen for me.
Paqman: I stayed away from checking out reviews so that I can develop my own opinion. Here are one of my theories on the final product: he had too many resources to work with. More instrumentalists. More toys. More money. More problems?
ATeezy: The additional instrumentation didn't pose a problem for me....I actually liked it. I'm glad that Vernon didn't simply make "For Emma Forever Ago Part 2". I think a lot of people were expecting him to do so....kudos to him for expanding the band's sound. I still think that despite the added musical texture, there's still a sense of emptiness and distance in the songs. Plus the way he uses Auto-tune to enhance his vocals is brilliant, imho.ATeezy: But there were times when I just could decide if I was listening to a unique contemporary independent artist, or a hipster version of Yanni or John Tesh!
ATeezy: And I also didn't like that I couldn't differentiate between the songs....had to keep looking down on my iPod to see if a new song had started
Paqman: I had the same issue. Felt like it was a very long song and couldn't differentiate what was what.
Paqman: I have to admit that I was excited when I heard the first guitar chord progression.
ATeezy: No doubt....I really dig that opening chord progression on "Perth", and the recording of the drums is great too....sound like they were recorded in a big, distant, empty room....nice hollow sound
ATeezy: Also think that "Towers" is a standout track...great vocal tones, plus the guitar riff is stellar.
ATeezy: And I do think that despite the unusual, almost "new age" sounding synths at the start of it, I think "Calgary" is a phenomenal lead single. I love how the track builds up, and the lyrics are obscure, yet enjoyable.
ATeezy: But nothing....and I mean NOTHING...could've prepared me for the final track, "Beth/Rest"
ATeezy: Can someone explain to me what he was thinking on that song??!!!??
Paqman: I don't think ANYONE can explain that song! Everytime I got to the end of the album, I had to check and make sure it was Bon Iver. Sign of things to come? Oh man I hope not.
ATeezy: Beth/Rest sounds like the theme song to the Special Olympics! A cruel, cruel joke
Paqman: I agree with the cuts you pointed out on top. Naming songs after real places is a nice touch, but I'm not sure if they are actually relevant to the lyrical content.
Paqman: I do like the back story on the record. Buying the cabin and remodeling it with a recording studio. Really cool.
Paqman: Seems like it's a musical commune of sorts. And he's dating Kathleen Edwards. Canadian content y'all!!!
ATeezy: Yeah there's been some talk about Vernon being a "Canadian at heart". I do wonder if dating Edwards has anything to do with it? Lol
ATeezy: I'm still confused, and still trying to figure it out bro!
ATeezy: I also wonder just how much influence working with Kanye has had on Vernon's overall approach to songwriting? Perhaps it lead to him having much more grandiose visions for the songs on this album....in some ways that may have helped, but it could also have hurt this record as well
ATeezy: I'm giving it an enigmatic, inconsistent 6.5 out of 10 rating
Paqman: I heard that Kanye told Vernon that being humble is a sign of weakness! What you need to do is feel humility. So there's Ye's influence!
Paqman: I'm giving it a 5 out of 10 since I dig some elements of the record. The other side not so much.
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