BLACK CROW.

Frontman for the band Bon Iver, Justin Vernon created the album For Emma, Forever Ago while living in a remote Wisconsin cabin for three months. Fueled by heartbreak, an identity crisis, and a desire to escape and simplify his life, Vernon retreated to his family cabin without the intention of writing any music. Out of his "cathartic isolation," however, Vernon was moved to play music and eventually produced this masterpiece of an album.

Interestingly, Vernon's relationship with nature varies significantly throughout the album - he is at times inspired and uplifted, at other moments taunted, abased, and humbled. My favorite lines from the song "Re: Stacks" point to Vernon's schizophrenic love affair with nature:

There's a black crow sitting across from me
His wiry legs are crossed
And he's dangling my keys, he even fakes a toss
Whatever could it be
That has brought me to this loss?

To Vernon, Nature does not always coddle or revive the spirit. Vernon's black crow conjures a Grim Reaper figure, "dangling" Vernon's life before his eyes, "tossing" Vernon the choice of life or death while casually resting with "legs crossed." Nature reminds Vernon that he is not a superior life form, that Vernon must learn to humble himself to the forces of Nature - not only in order to survive, but also to understand that his life is too short to wallow in suffering.

Whew, I've done enough philosophizing. Anyway, this album is tremendous and I think that it has truly changed my perspective on life. I hope it has the same effect on you all. Enjoy.