BON IVER "i,i" ANAYSIS - PART TEN

The most autumnal track on the record, “Salem” references the witch trials and is a direct protest song of the US government, particularly Trumps first administration. It also has enough groundwork to proclaim itself a track revolving around women empowerment. This one is another grower for me, that final release is fantastically cathartic.

"Salem burns the leaves
Then she
Returns to cure and see
Heavy fate
After years of ... read more

BON IVER "i,i" ANALYSIS - PART NINE

A more laidback song that speaks of a relationship carried by only one person, acting as an interlude of the second act. It was previously named “1867”, before changing to “Marion”, a French rooted name meaning “Beloved”. It also phonetically matches “marry on”, as if to remarry. I'm really drawn to this one, it's simple but so soft and pretty.

"Well, I thought that this was half a ... read more

BON IVER "i,i" ANALYSIS - PART EIGHT

A song representing the struggle of religion, and the loss of faith. Starkly contrasts the previous song with a much more uplifting sound. The artwork and music video features a prominent black “censor” box that obscures the sun, a theme that persists throughout many of the music videos. It further entrusts into the theming of the album, literal sun-death, while carrying a further meaning in relation to “Faith” of an ... read more

BON IVER "i,i" ANALYSIS - PART SEVEN

“Jelmore” offers commentary on climate change and social inequality. The song marks the beginning of Act 2 of the album, and is followed immediately by “Faith”, a sign, perhaps, that we must bookend travesty with faith, considering “Jelmore” itself follows on from such a hymn as “Naeem”. It is a moment of clarity after the burning hope, a grounding, much bleaker and more desperate take on its ... read more

BON IVER "i,i" ANALYSIS - PART SIX

The finale of the albums first act, “Naeem” is named after Naeem Hanks, a collaborator on the album. It centers on the class system, division, change and the youth, initiated through the lens of a near death experience. The first verse refers to this, where he was driving a quadbike around a frozen lake when it lost grip and threw him 15 feet in the air, landing with his skull straight to the ice. Miraculously, he only had a mild ... read more

BON IVER "i,i" ANALYSIS - PART FIVE

“U (Man like)” is a commentary on social issues, mainly misogyny and the patriarchy, but it also touches on homelessness in America. This ones definitely more of a grower, it's sweet and quite catchy.

"Mmm, mmm
I will see you off now
Down the back of the ridge
There's just something
That I got to show you
There is domer and there's rot
And the common case
It ain't nothing what you say is true"

Vernon is ... read more

BON IVER "i,i" ANALYSIS - PART FOUR

“Hey, Ma” is a nostalgia-evoking song with sentimental imagery of childhood and a mother’s affection. The cover art alludes to a more naturist theme accompanying the maternal. This could mean the song is directed at not only Vernon’s own mother, but Gaia, or Mother Earth. This one is one of the more accessible on the album, with an almost universal and touching message. Very beautiful.

"I waited outside, I took it ... read more

BON IVER "i,i" ANALYSIS - PART THREE

Perhaps centers on the boxer Evander Holyfield, who’s ear was infamously bitten by Mike Tyson, while touching on global warming ending the world and wanting to be something, anything. Holy Fields could also refer to the earths land. The whole song is an improvised moment with barely any editing. Again, massively underrated, feels so foreign yet cozy.

"Danger been stepping in
I'm happy as I ever been
Couldn't tell ya what ... read more

BON IVER "i,i" ANALYSIS - PART TWO

“We” is a reflection on natives and those left out in the cold or banished from their own land. It also talks of the reactions people have toward being told that their history is not free of sin. It’s a spiritual sequel to “Minnesota, WI”, in keeping with the theme of the displacement of natives and Wisconsin, as well as taking musical elements from “Brackett, WI”. Was originally titled “Brackett ... read more

BON IVER "i,i" ANALYSIS - PART ONE

Since every song from this album was released as a single, I wanted to post my analysis from a while back of each track as well as rate them, as it's an album that is very close to me, and much more intricate than it gets credit for. Of course, this is mostly speculation of meaning, but I've also scavenged the internet for any information associated with the project.

"Yi" is a phone recording from the winter of 2014 in Eau ... read more

"So laugh alone, firing off in rows"

A massive 7 hour collection detailing the full history of DeYarmond Edison, one of Justin Vernon's first projects. Given how varied and sprawling this is, I'll split each disc into subsections, skipping ones with preexisting releases (reviewed separately on their own release pages), as well as combing through both live performances. Ahead of the more in depth reviews is an overall summary that details the highlights of this boxset.

My ... read more

This Glaswegian alt-rock outfit puts forth a fair few great ideas, but lacks a little in terms of individuality. Sounds very solid for an independent release production wise, despite some weird spots. Really like the cover art. I like the ambience knitted amongst the heavy nature of this, strikes a nice balance. Can see huge potential in this, although as it stands, I'm not completely won over. A promising start nonetheless.

Favourites: Small Things
Least favourites: This Is Your Life

"Penso di aver bisogno di qualche giorno in piu per capire che cosa voglio dirti"

Found this recommended in the review section for "Girlfriends - Girlfriends" and decided to give it a listen. That decision was well worth it. This is an excellent EP by an Italian Midwest Emo band that does everything right without sounding too derivative and unoriginal. Some wonderful riffs and a great atmosphere fostered via the mixing.

The vocals are very emotive, even given the language ... read more

----------- REVIEW #250 -----------

"There's nothing left to say, because we can't create"

I remember the first time, on a bus trip in the mid afternoon of some day in late summer, staring out the window at the Forth as it started. I hadn't really heard anything quite like it, it felt mysterious, the glitching making it seem like an anomaly, like it's temporary, like it shouldn't really be here. The drumming is otherworldly, the incessance of it beating into ... read more

"Everybody's dying just to get the disease"

A very mellowed out and surprisingly warm album. Not a lot in particular stands out and grabs my attention, but as an overall work, it is very pleasant. I'm not sure if I'd ever come back to this, though, it seems to be something very tender and beautiful, but not something I wish to get acquainted with any further as it just doesn't engage me that much. A nice collection of folky tracks, with some rock elements (that I ... read more

"Pleasantly caving in, I come undone"

Just a straight up Rock album, through and through. Usually I'm fairly picky when it comes to this sort of style, so much of it passes in one ear and out the other, but this feels quite different, feels more grounded and real. I quite like the radio interludes, they add a good degree of character which helps this album stand out from the crowd. Contains very interesting melodies too. Some of these songs very nearly outstay their welcome, but ... read more

"Fate, my friend, you say the strangest things"

What makes New York such a breeding ground for essential Rock? The production takes a second to get used to, but immediately I see why this is so highly praised. I love this style of Garage Rock where it sounds so DIY. I expected to dislike Julian's vocals, but they're actually a highlight here. Can't believe it's taken this long to get round to a Strokes album, this is right up my street.

It's no ... read more

That cover is abhorrent. My second Beatles album, this one with a more psychedelic groove. "Taxman" isn't a great start, I can't unhear the Batman theme which doesn't help. The next track is familiar to me, quite an interesting, dark sound to this. Far too short though, feels like it's building to something that never comes, which is upsetting. "I'm Only Sleeping" is quite pleasant, I like the reversed sound. Feels like it's missing something, ... read more

"Why should I be frightened of dying?"

I mean, it's Dark Side of the Moon. I could see an argument that this is the best album of all time. All the praise, saturation and reputation would see me almost thinking that it's overrated, but it is all fairly warranted. Yeah, it's "baby's first prog-rock album", and it might indulge in itself a little too much at points, but given how iconic and beautifully arranged this is, these critiques are very minor in ... read more

I'm on quite a run at the moment of less than stellar music. Here we are, at the supposed birth of punk as we know it. In this sense, they're the antithesis to Black Sabbath, in which they contributed a lot to a genres development, but started with something terrible rather than unbeatable. I cannot see any reason to ever return to this, it is one homogenous headache with no gripping material to be found. "Anarchy" is the closest to something listenable here, but even that ... read more