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The Ever-Quotable Bon Iver

Bon Iver is hands down my favorite artist. There are a bunch of reasons for why this is, but the main reason is that his lyrics resonate with me so much. They don’t always make sense in the conscious understanding kind of way. Sometimes the way that the words sound and the emotion with which Justin sings them is all I need. There are a lot of quotable moments like that on SABLE, fABLE. I felt like I had to write an article about this album with how much I’ve been listening to it, so I’m going to talk about some here.

"I’m beset with what we could become" - From

The words that Justin finds are always the right ones. He could use shorter words because it’s easy or longer words to sounds fancy. He always takes the time to find the most accurate word to describe his feelings, even is he has to make one up. He did not have to invent a word for this scenario, beset is the perfect word.

"I’m a sable, and honey us the fable" - AWARDS SEASON

In an interview with The New Yorker, Mr. Iver said that he came up with this line many years ago and had no clue if sable was a word. He found out later that sable is in fact a word and that its meaning played into what he intended for it to mean, but that is not the point. When he came up with the lyric it was just an imaginary word that sounded right to him. I think that is so wonderful. He’s done this before, like when he uses the made up word “wandry” on 666. Every time, whether the word ends up being real or not, it just seems to make perfect sense with the emotion that he gives it. I will not tell you what a sable is. Listen to Awards Season and you’ll figure it out.

"There’s a rhythm, there’s a rhythm" - There's A Rhythm

One of the other reasons I love Bon Iver is because of how talented Justin Vernon is at closing his albums. There is always an intentional conclusion, no matter how satisfying. There’s A Rhythm ends this album on a hopeful note, that Justin has rediscovered the rhythm of life and love. I think calling it a rhythm is a great way to describe it. And how he sings just sounds content. Great close.

"And damn if I’m not climbing up a tree right now!" - Everything Is Peaceful Love

This one is sung with such excitement! The joy of a new love! There isn’t much I can offer here that the lyric and how it’s sung don’t offer themselves. He’s just happy and in love and that’s how it reads and sounds.

"January ain’t the whole world" - Short Story

This is an easy one to pick as it should stand out to anyone who listens to the album. But the instrumental explosion after Justin sings this line is incredible. It’s tough not to get goosebumps listening to a wonderful reminder that we can change and then an uplifting swell of instrumentation immediately after.

There’s an even five lyrics from the album. There are certainly more that will stick as I listen twenty two million more times, but those are the big ones for now. Give SABLE, fABLE a listen if you haven’t and make sure to give it the time and attention it deserves. Peace.


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