Eau Claire, Wis., native band, Bon Iver, is back with its new EP, Blood Bank. Coming off the success of its phenomenal first album, For Emma, Forever Ago, Bon Iver returns with the folksy sounds that made its last album so successful: soulful vocals, intricate melodies and stirring lyrics.
But this time Bon Iver has a different set up as frontman Justin Vernon is joined by Mike Noyce and Sean Carey. These new additions add bulk and greater depth to Vernon's solo sound, and while that sound didn't necessarily need additions, the added instrumentation offers an appealing twist to already great music.
The EP starts with its title track, Blood Bank."" Different from a classic Bon Iver song, it features more percussion and electric guitar. It could be slightly unsettling to those used to the simplicity of Vernon and his acoustic guitar. However, the harmonized ""ooo's"" that graced their debut can still be found in ""Blood Bank,"" keeping the band from straying too far from their initially attractive sound.
""Beach Baby,"" on the other hand, possesses the same qualities so omnipresent on For Emma, Forever Ago. It's melodic, moving and simply lovely. Stripping away the excess and leaving nothing but vocals and guitar, Vernon recalls a moment of love at the beach. A familiar island sound also plays in the background, adding mellowness to the song that will put anyone at ease.
An upbeat piano melody is the backdrop for Blood Bank's third track, ""Babys."" In this happy song, Vernon sings of a multiplying summer as a transitioning rhythm is pounded out on piano. The one problem with this song is that it can get monotonous at points. The same piano riffs are drawn out for slightly too long, and the repeated lyrics just don't do the trick, being more redundant than beautifully simple.
""Woods"" closes the EP and stands out most amongst the four. The lines, ""I'm up in the woods / I'm down on my mind / I'm building a still / To slow down the time"" are repeated throughout the song by auto-tuned vocals, giving Bon Iver a more severe, electronic sound. The song is bare beyond these voices, removed from any instrumentation or driving rhythms, creating a very natural, honest melody.
Overall, Blood Bank flows well, with each song having its own unique traits. Although it doesn't reach the brilliance of For Emma, Forever Ago, it is in no way a failure. Bon Iver is clearly trying out a new sound and ensemble, and while there is room to grow and adjust, this EP is promising and shows that great things can be expected from Bon Iver in the future.
