Composition [ edit ] Vernon's method of arranging his vocals was inspired by the Vienna Boys' Choir. That placed it on several US album sales charts, including at number 182 on the Billboard 200 and a number five entry on the Top Heatseekers chart. The album's touring cycle lasted two years, ending in late 2009, and visited several countries and music festivals worldwide. Rob Sheffield for Rolling Stone christened it a "quiet marvel," praising Vernon's "light touch, with zero interest in narrative or confessional lyrics. As a whole For Emma, Forever Ago, is entirely cohesive throughout and remains centered around a particular aesthetic, prompted by the time and place for which it was recorded.

I’ve been spin cleaning all my vinyl on arrival and it’s made a world of difference during playback. For items that are dispatched using our standard service, we ask that you wait 14 days from the date of dispatch before reporting any items as undelivered. Sales for For Emma were "slow-building," according to music publication Billboard, but eventually became a "commercial smash" for Jagjaguwar. The label on side A had a dirt smudge or something, which I find hilarious because I bought is brand new and sealed 😆 the packaging is lackluster Tbf, but other than that, the vinyl is heavy and the sound is stunning.He also felt inspired by Appalachian folk singers who employed the falsetto register, which inspired him to use his. He felt the titular "Emma" was evocative of "a statement, a sentiment and a closing of my own history. Shortly before exiting Raleigh, he had developed song ideas but ceased working on them in his depression. If you'd told me when we put out For Emma, Forever Ago that we would sell almost 100,000 copies on vinyl, I would think that was just absolutely insane," said Nick Blandford, managing director of the Secretly Label Group.

He killed two deer in his period at the property, which lasted the entire three months "and then some," according to Vernon. It was self-released in 2007 and received wider release on the Jagjaguwar label in February 2008 (and on 4AD label in the UK in May 2008). Vernon buried the laptop in the snow, later remarking, "They were taken from me but it was good that they were, as it really gave me a new face. In summer 2009, the band played various festivals, including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits. The album's title comes from the middle name of Jensen, though he refrained from confirming that she was the central inspiration behind the album.

Flume" was written at his girlfriend Christy Smith's house in Raleigh, preceding his trip to the cabin. Afterwards, he spent time as a band member for The Rosebuds; his contributions feature on their third album, Night of the Furies. Our album of the year 2008, 'For Emma, Forever Ago' was recorded during a three month stay in a log cabin somewhere in the woods of America. The fact that they haven't just run their course, that they're not old hat after a year is really exciting.

While at the cabin, Vernon had written to Kelly Crisp of The Rosebuds, concluding his letter with "bon iver," a misspelling of "bon hiver," which is French for "good winter. While "Skinny Love" has been considered a reference to his relationship with Smith, [7] Vernon countered this as "not entirely accurate [. Vernon felt comfortable performing the album live, though it was very personal: "It's weird that I'm still behind these songs," he told PopMatters. Quiet and folkily ambient, For Emma, Forever Ago is an impassioned cry too compelling not to become heard. For the major touring cycle after the album's official release, he gathered together several musicians for the trek, including former guitar student Mike Noyce and drummer Sean Carey.He had listened to Vienna Boys' Choir recordings months prior, which inspired him to incorporate choral arrangements into his work. About two weeks ago I made a post here asking if the cracks on the Vinyl of 'For Emma, forever ago' were to be expected. From the multi-tracked wonderful opener Flume to the choral throb of L ump Sum via the minimal hum of T he Wolves to the absolute quiet of Re: stacks this album is pure gold. Vernon is apparently a straightforward and friendly guy, but 'For Emma, Forever Ago' genuinely sounds like something from a far off place. He had an idea for a song and brought inside his musical equipment, which consisted of several guitars, microphones, and a Power Mac G4 with Pro Tools LE.