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RECORDINGS REVIEW Good Winter Makes For Relaxed Summer Album By Elora Walsh T he self-titled album "Bon Iver," a play on the French term bon hiver, meaning good winter, was released on June 21. Bon Iver is an independent folk band formed in 2007 out of Wisconsin. This is their second studio album release, the first being For Emma, Forever Ago. Along with their studio albums, Bon Iver's EP, Blood Bank was released by Jagjaguwar records. The album opens with "Perth." The slow, melodic guitar introduction creates a relaxed sound and sets the stage for the rest of the track. Light and steady snare drum rolls keep the subtle personality of the song but also ensure its steady tempo. About a minute into the track, frontman Justin Vernon's soft and soprano-like vocals lead over the drum rolls and stay true to Bon Iver's usual sound. As the track progresses, the instrumentals explode into a quicker tempo, adding a bold trumpet melody to the mix of guitar and drums then dissipate back to the solo guitar. Lyrically, though there are not many lyrics, the song offers messages of hope and love. "Still alive for you, love" repeats to make the message clear that love is still breathing. The last verse changes the route of the tune with lyrics such as "What I know, what it is, is boring – wire it up. Now breaking new ground." As the lyrical representation changes, the instrumentals move along as well to lead into that explosion of sound. Further down the track list is "Wash." Like most of the songs on this album, "Wash" opens with a solo instrument, this one being piano. The high-range piano bounces between two notes, which is very repetitive as it continues throughout the songs' entirety. Though repetitive, the piano helps tie in the opening lyrics of "Climb is all we know" making a statement that, "this is all we know, we repeat, just like this piano." Though the piano still persists, other sounds come into play such as vocals, violins and the ever-so-soft plunking of guitar strings that help bring down the harshness of those two notes. The one downfall to this track is there are many things going on at once. This makes tuning into one voice nearly impossible. There is always something new coming around the corner, adding fullness to the song, but also can be a bit too much at times. The last track on the album "Beth/Rest" stands out and ends Bon Iver on a high note. Different is not always better, but in this case it is. As opposed to the folk/indie characteristics, "Beth/Rest" sings out with a smooth jazz tune. that generation had his or her "John Hancock" on the page. To me, this confirmed the esteem in which each held Casals. Pablo's father instilled a love of music in his son at an early age. The youngster began composing in 1883. Although a remarkably gifted cellist, Casals thought the greatest instrument of all was the orchestra. In a room near the museum's exit, I watched a video recording of Casals conducting the special concert at the United Nations on October 24, 1971. Wearing red robes, the chorus sang the commissioned piece Casals composed. On this occasion, he received the United Nations Peace Medal. Standing at the podium with his arm held by Secretary General U Thant, Casals delivered his message to the assembly. Then he played The Song of the Birds. Why? In his words, "Birds sing when they are in the sky, they sing: 'Peace, Peace, Peace'... " Projected on the museum's video screen The introduction is a slow, electronic keyboard such as that of an old '80s ballad. Vernon's voice is masked with synthesizing effect over a rock ballad electric guitar conversing with a saxophone. Vernon shows his range with this track opening with a deeper tenor tone and reaching his way up to that soprano range that graces the rest of the album. Lyrically, this song ends the album with a powerful message of how love survives anything. "Beth/Rest" tells a story of a star which symbolizes love. The last verse, "Our love is a star, sure some hazardry. For the light before and after most indefinitely" brings the story, and album to a close, making the point of, just like a star, there is light, always. "This is us" is the last and simple yet firm statement. Bon Iver is a recommended listen if you're looking for something new and relaxing. Elora Walsh is a senior majoring in communications with a minor in music at Clairon University of Pennsylvania. At Clarion, Elora is the editor-in-chief of The Clarion Call, Programming Director of WCUC-FM, President of the Society for Collegiate Journalists, and President of the Kappa Eta Chapter of SAI. CLICK FOR MORE To learn more about Bon Iver, visit boniver.org during his performance of this Catalan folk melody were images of Casals, including the familiar one of him wearing a hat and holding an umbrella, walking barefoot, and making footprints in the sand. The founders who established the Fundacio' Pau Casals in 1972 "to preserve the musician's art and personal heritage in his home country" have done exactly that. But next time I visit, I hope my plane won't arrive late and that I can spend more time — at least two hours — in the museum. Having had only one hour made my visit very rushed. Since no photography is allowed, I purchased a beautiful full-color guidebook for 40 euros. Its almost-200 pages are packed with photos and information to relive and extend my short initial visit. The book's annexes include a biography with dates of important events, a list of his compositions, and his basic discography. sai-national.org SUMMER 2011 PAN PIPES 15

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