Listen: Bon Iver – Beth/Rest Solo

Listen — By Andrew Evans on 06/09/11

Bon Iver’s self-titled second album is one of the undeniable joys that 2011 has served up so far, with praise across the board bestowed upon Vernon for both pushing his group forwards and his dilligent happiness to work at his craft – writing songs.

One song that did cause a little more discussion was the album’s closer, Beth/Rest – a reverb soaked, 80′s power ballad of sorts. It’s ambition was weighty and it’s delivery maticulous. To some, it reeked a little too much of fromage.

For those that cried foul play – and those that enjoyed the ‘with bells on’ version too for that matter – comes this, a haunting, stripped-to-its-bare-bones version of the song in which Vernon leaves enough space and time to get completely lost in. His voice is played straight – no auto-tune effects or staccato sampling – and starts in a deep barritone before it’s raised up to his usual, spine-tingling falsetto.

It is, quite simpy, gorgeous.