March 13, 2011

"Bon Iver blew my mind," says old hippie.

Justin Vernon/Bon Iver
I've posted Bon Iver video here before. I adore this man and find him to be unlike anyone else in music. The video to the song, Lump Sum, is below -- but first check out his lyrics.

Bon Iver (Justin Vernon) uses words like paint, without letting their meaning get in his way. There is little logic to the lyrics he sings. Each word seems to exist in its own universe, hinting at a ghostly meaning while providing a hook for his voice. Take this song, for instance.

Lump Sum

Sold my cold knot
A heavy stone
Sold my red horse for a venture home
To vanish on the bow --

Settling slow
Fit it all, fit it in the doldrums
So the story goes
Color the era
Film it, it's historical

My mile could not
Pump the plum
In my arbor 'till my ardor
Trumped every inner inertia
Lump sum

All at once
Rushing from the sub-pump
So the story goes
Balance we won't know
We will see when it gets warm

How can you not love a guy who writes lyrics like that? You gotta. Words, schmerds! Now, here's the video but it isn't the official, full orchestra version. Instead, it's Justin all alone in a recording studio, singing the song and accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. It's one track to the song, in other words. And oh, yeah. I want to marry this guy.

PS: After listening to the video, you might want to hear the full version he released. You'll find it here. And by the way, who knows if these are the lyrics? It's hard to tell -- and he's very vague when you question him about anything. He's not even sure how to pronounce "Bon Iver". Andy Warhol would have loved this guy.




4 comments:

Anna Guess Pick said...

Bon Iver is delightful, I went to you tube and listened to just about everyone that is available. I really enjoy most of your music posts and look forward to what you will discover for me.

writenow said...

Yay, a convert! Next time I'll say they blew your mind, too. You know what, though? I've told lots of people about Bon Iver but you're the first one that liked them. I don't get it. The man is wildly innovative and makes gorgeous music. Well, at least we see it.

Anna Guess Pick said...

He reminds me a bit like Paolo Nutini a young Scottish singer that I like as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swIKGLqIitI

writenow said...

I listened to a few of his songs. Nice.