“Hazelton”
from the album Hazeltons
2006
Unreleased
Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon is one bad-ass dude. He grows beards, he pushes people around in the post, and he writes records that everyone loves and wants to buy. That’s a big three-for-three. This is from an album he did before the glory (but when he was still pushing people around in the post). Vernon recorded and released this in Eau Claire back before DeYarmond Edison moved to Raleigh.
It’s funny how much this bridges the gap between DeYarmond, both musically and ideologically. There is still the same loneliness, the same isolation that so many people have come to relate with Justin’s current work, but there’s still something folky and earthy about the Hazeltons recording as well. This is Justin stripping down, calling us out, and getting out before anything hits the fan. Oh, and the music is unstoppable too. That helps.
It’s pretty hard to find the Hazeltons recording, but if by magic you find it, immediately pick it up. It’s not only a portrait of the artist as a young man, but a portrait of the rest of us, too. Sheesh, who knows what I’m saying anymore. Just listen.
This song is fantastic, but I can’t find it on iTunes. Where can I get a copy of it?
Thanks!
Caitlin
I read once that Justin is embarrassed by his older music. One wonders how far back he’s thinking of, because this song is powerful. That’s the only appropriate way I can find of describing it. It’s just powerful.
If this is the kind of past effort that embarrasses Justin Vernon, then I can’t wait to hear what he has in store for the future.