Much has already been made about Bon Iver and the debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago. About how it was recorded in a log cabin, was a solo effort for Justin Vernon despite “full band” aspirations, and, mostly, that it was very good. Filling the void until the next full-length is the Blood Bank EP, a four-track collection. While I certainly can't speak for Vernon about the qualities of the next Bon Iver album, I'm making the not so bold prediction that this EP is a gateway. Emma was as isolated and wintry as anything one could expect from a group called Bon Iver (did Vernon drop the “H” in fear that too many would mispronounce it?); again, the one-man-in-a-log-cabin thing will do that to you. But Blood Bank features a leftover from his one-man-show—the title track (but with back-up vocals added)—and then three more that hint at new directions. No doubt, it will remain Vernon's vision, but this seems to be a shift towards a larger sound. Worry not, Emma fans; even with the assistance it's still in a similar vein as Vernon's last effort. It's a bit warmer and slightly less damaged, but there's little on here that'll upset the Bon Iver faithful.
Chief among those minimal surprises is the final song, “Woods,” which applies Auto-Tuning to the vocals (or is it a vocoder?). Supplanted into the usual rustic folk/pop patiches that Bon Iver sews together so well, its digital echo probably would have sounded awful against an organic landscape. But “Woods” is blessedly a cappella, repeating the same lines over and over: “I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind, I'm building a still to slow down the time.” The mechanical fluttering still makes this closer no less out of place. But its existence implies that this EP is more than just an epilogue to his debut; i.e. a small batch of songs that either didn't fit into Emma or were left incomplete until now. As an experiment, it may end up being a noteworthy footnote to Vernon's early career, but I see no hint of this method being applied to future recordings. Those who admire experiments may sigh disappointed at this suspicion, but most will probably be relieved.
But before that unexpected loveliness is a song that Vernon said he couldn't fit onto Emma: the leadoff, "Blood Bank." Presented in a straightforward fashion, its tale of getting stuck in the snow with a girl (after donating blood—hence, the name) will already be familiar to fans. As Vernon expands the sound with back-ups, he manages the difficult feat of building richer harmonies while staying just as intimate as ever before. Like Iron & Wine before and Fleet Foxes since, if you close your eyes, you'd swear that Vernon was right there in your bedroom...or wherever you happen to be while listening. Just beware if you flip it on in the car; who wants to constantly check the rearview mirror for a sneak in the backseat?
"Beach Baby” and “Babys” are more elusive. The former finds Vernon murmuring in a falsetto, “When you're out, tell your lucky one/To know that you'll leave/But you don't lock when you're fleeing/I'd like not to hear keys/Only hold 'til your coffee warms/But don't hurry and speed.” Then on “Babys,” as a fast and relentless 4/4 piano closes in the walls for the listener, he gets louder and drunker with curious fire. “Summer comes to multiply/To multiply/And I/I'm the Carnival of Peace/I'll probably start a fleet/With no apologies.” Along with “Woods,” this one makes up the second half of Blood Bank and showcases a different side for Bon Iver. With better integration, they could be effective additions to the larger sound. For now, though, the first side remains the more expressive and inviting.
Considering it's only four songs, it might be tough for non-diehards to be excited about this shortie. But it is easy to wave a flag or two for the wonderful songs. It's evidence that Vernon's success on Emma wasn't predicated upon its circumstances; clearly from the same mind, of course, but indicating an unexpected vector for the future. The label suggests that this collection builds a metaphorical fire to get one through a bitter cold evening. If this represents a thaw, only the mind of a northerner could consider this an end to the frost. Let's just hope he never melts altogether.
"Blood Bank EP" is on sale January 20, 2009 from Jagjaguwar.
