Bon Iver - Self-Titled

Indie folk-rock can seem like a cliché, bordering on redundancy.  Fairly uninspired acoustic acts are a dime a dozen, pumping out albums that shamelessly (to a much lesser degree) ape on Nick Drake, Roy Harper, and the other great folkies of yesteryear.  Bon Iver is one group that does not have that problem.  Their 2008 debut For Emma, Forever Ago is a superlative example of modern folk, evocative of the wintry forests of Wisconsin where it was recorded, saying as much with the sparsity of it's arrangements as the music itself.  Their sound has grown beyond their initial offering on their newest album, Bon Iver.  Much like their musical compatriots Iron & Wine, musical expansion is paramount between efforts, with more prominent percussion, synthesizers, and electric guitar presented on their sophomore LP, all the while retaining Justin Vernon's signature vocals.  While not the borderline jam-rock of Iron & Wine recent LP Kiss Each Other Clean, listeners can readily hear how much the band has grown on Bon Iver.  Check out the new album, out today on Jagjaguwar, and give a listen to "Calgary" embedded below.