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[Courage]

Both of these amazing folk albums came out in 2011. Which one did GAF prefer?

For me it's Helplessness Blues. While I think Vernon upped the arrangements on this album, Helplessness Blues has some of the most potent harmonies, due to its baroque influences, refined songwriting and just trimmed a lot of the boring stuff out from their debut. I think while Bon Iver's instrumentation can sound absolutely amazing at times, Vernon doesn't reach the raw emotion that Fleet Foxes deliver (especially vocally), which is exactly what I want from the ideal folk album.

2011 was such a great year for music.

 

[Cuphead]

Helplessness Blues is my favorite in the long run, but Bon Iver was more powerful the first few times I listened.

 

[Bread]

Fleet Foxes wins every time

 

[HowardRoark]

Fleet Foxes hands down. For me, it is close to GOAT status.

 

[Courage]

Fleet Foxes hands down. For me, it is close to GOAT status.

Helplessness Blues might be one of my favorite albums of all time tbh

 

[Gobias]

Bon Iver. Just prefer his vocals much more.

 

[whatsinaname]

Actually, I prefer both of their first albums.

 

[meijiko]

Fleet Foxes. Was just listening to this album again the other day for probably the hundredth time.

 

[deli2000]

Bon Iver's voice is grating in some areas. So Helplessness Blues.

 

[robotrock]

I have listened to Fleet Fox's first album as well as Bon Iver's first album, but I have not checked out either of their second albums. I should fix this at some point.

comparing those first two albums i'd say i prefer fleet foxes, but that isn't what this thread is about!

 

[burgervan]

Bon Iver is dull as fuck. Helplessness Blues is a great record.

 

[Courage]

I have listened to Fleet Fox's first album as well as Bon Iver's first album, but I have not checked out either of their second albums. I should fix this at some point.

They're both better than their debuts. A lot of people will disagree in regard to Bon Iver though.

 

[elseanio]

Actually, I prefer both of their first albums.

Me too, Fleet Foxes over Bon Iver in both instances though.

 

[Aurongel]

Helplessness Blues sounds beautiful and is just more enjoyable to listen to.

The Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver both are great though.

 

[amnesiac]

Both great albums.

I prefer the Fleet Foxes, so I have to go with Helplessness Blues. They greatly improved on their songwriting that album and Robin seemed more comfortable with his voice.

Bon Iver is a great record, too, but sometimes it just gets too cluttered. Too many things going on.

 

[Altazor]

Fleet Foxes!

EDIT: this section in "The Cascades" is absolutely beautiful. Oh how I wish it'd be longer than that...

 

[Fewr]

Actually, I prefer both of their first albums.

Same here. Neither of these clicked with me. I didn't give them much of a chance to be honest. Thanks to this thread I'll give them another go.

 

[nemesun]

Nothing tops For Emma, Forever Ago in my book. Still have it and We Are The Tide on heavy rotation.

 

[FloppyDelux]

Helplessness Blues all the way, But i go love both Bon and Fleet.

 

[Gareth Bale]

Not really a huge fan of Fleet Foxes.

And as for Bon Iver, I think For Emma Forever Ago was a much better album

But to answer your question, Bon Iver.

 

[The Big Rig]

Both are amazing albums. Bon Iver has been my default studying/homework album for years now. The ending of that album is a climax of 80's rock and r&b goodness. The Fleet Foxes album had more of a theme than their previous album and EP's, and there is some amazing harmony in that album. Why choose between them?

 

[CheesecakeRecipe]

I still like Fleet Foxes' debut album more, but Helplessness Blues still gets regular play from me. Just some great songs to get a little sad to. I do miss the more angelic sound they had.

 

[PassiveObserver]

I prefer Bon Iver's brand of folk, which isn't as beardy as Fleet Foxes'.

 

[fuzzyset]

Bon Iver is one of the few albums that I think is perfect. I've listened to it so many times and every song is fantastic.

 

[Alcotholic]

Both I listen to if I want to escape the city mentally. They really help me.