The mornings when I rise early and go for a stout run allow me a quiet freedom when I return to my home.  I am able to stand in my kitchen and watch the sun rise unhurriedly behind the trees.  I prepare my coffee just the way I like it.  I prepare my usual breakfast of whole wheat toast, peanut butter and banana, topped off with some local honey.  In that quiet and solitude (before my little Ones arise), I want just the right music — just the right song.  As I squint my eyes and take that first sip of the morning, I love to wake up to my coffee and a bit of ear candy called “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver from the album For Emma, Forever Ago.

The haunting voice behind Bon Iver (which is loose French for “Good Winter”) comes from the mouth of Justin Vernon.  This organic folk album has many little jewels on it — “Flume” and “For Emma” are a couple of other standouts to me.  Apparently, Vernon composed and recorded this album while confining himself to his home in Wisconsin during one of their harsh winters.  While I have read that the story has been a bit romanticized, you can still feel the warmth of a soul and the chill of a frozen landscape.

Have you heard of Bon Iver?  If you have, do you like this album or Blood Bank better?  Personally, I am more of a For Emma guy.

Also, thank you all for your ear candy recommendations — I have fallen in love with “At the Beach” by the Avett Brothers.  I believe I have Lauren and Jason to thank for that.

For more Music is for Mondays, click here.
The next big giveaway will be on July 5th, 2010.  Stay tuned until then.