For Emma, Forever Ago
| For Emma, Forever Ago | ||||
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| Studio album by Bon Iver | ||||
| Released | July 8, 2007 (Release history) |
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| Recorded | November 2006–February 2007 (Medford, Wisconsin) |
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| Genre | Indie folk | |||
| Length | 37:19 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Justin Vernon | |||
| Bon Iver chronology | ||||
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| Initial self-released cover | ||||
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| Singles from For Emma, Forever Ago | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 88/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| The A.V. Club | A− |
| The Guardian | |
| Mojo | |
| MSN Music | C+ |
| Pitchfork Media | 8.1/10 |
| Q | |
| Rolling Stone |  |
| Spin | |
| Uncut | |
For Emma, Forever Ago is the debut studio album by American indie folk band Bon Iver. It was first self-released in July 2007, and later saw wide release on the Jagjaguwar label in February 2008. The album is principally the work of singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, who had previously performed in the band DeYarmond Edison. After college, the group moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, but broke up in 2006. Vernon fell ill with mononucleosis and a liver infection, and grew frustrated with his songwriting and life. He left Raleigh and drove an hour northwest of his hometown, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, hoping to be alone.
The album was recorded at Vernon's father's remote hunting cabin over late 2006 to early 2007. He abandoned his old songwriting methods and instead focused on wordless melodies that he later set to words, which he felt evoked a more subconscious meaning. The record's lyrical subjects include lost love and mediocrity. His folk-infused songs include heavy choral arrangements, featuring Vernon's falsetto, and horns. He hunted his own food and spent much of his time isolated. Though he did not intend to make an album, he received strong encouragements from friends and decided to self-release For Emma, Forever Ago in July 2007. After several performances and online exposure, he was signed to Jagjaguwar later that year.
For Emma, Forever Ago attracted wide acclaim from music critics, achieving a spot on dozens of end-of-the-year lists, as well as several awards. It became a major commercial success for Jagjaguwar, an independent label, and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for sales of over 500,000 copies. "Skinny Love" became the album's best-performing single and also went gold. Vernon gathered together several musicians to form a band to tour with. The album's touring cycle lasted two years, ending in late 2009, and visited several countries and music festivals worldwide.
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