2008. Alternative Pop/Singer/Songwriter; Bon Ivers hermit indie-folk (story goes Justin Vernon recorded the album on his own during time spent secluded in the woods) delivers the kind of spare intimacy that only a home-recorded solo album can. For Emma, Forever Ago sounds a bit desolate, admittedly lonely, an enigmatic one-way communication. But, its awfully beautiful. Vernons disarming falsetto which sounds like Christopher Cross crossed with Antony Hegarty, oddball tape loops, distorted synthesizers, and nods to modern R&B ("Blindsided") create nuance in otherwise straightforward songs. "Creature Fear" showcases Vernons imaginative songwriting--take the robust chorus that boldly appears seemingly out of nowhere and later, "For Emma" swells bolstered by a soaring slide-guitar, recalling the best of Calexico. To my ears, Bon Ivers music is nearly an homage to great 70s AM-radio singer-songwriter staples like Seals & Crofts or America, just without the promise of ever whiling away a carefree afternoon driving