Bright Flight
Silver Jews
2001
Album Summary
Bright Flight is the fourth studio album by indie rock group Silver Jews, released in 2001."Tennessee" was chosen as the title track for an EP that also included "Long Long Gone", "I'm Gonna Love The Hell Out of You", and "Turn Your Guns Around".
WikipediaSome shambly 90s de-tuned country music here. When I read this band had connections to Pavement I wasn’t surprised as the first thing that came to mind as the album started was “country Pavement”. The first time through I wasn’t sure about the vocal delivery… but found the songs are very good musically. Love me some steel guitars! Then on a second pass I started to hear more of the lyrics and I really started to like this. The lyrics are fantastic! While there are times when I would like to hear a polished vocal on these songs, I have to give this props for the great music and lyrics. There’s room for some lo-fi Country in my library… Favorite songs: Room Games and Diamond Rain, I Remember Me, Horseleg Swastikas, Transylvania Blues, Let’s Not and Say We Did, Tennessee
Well. The music is utterly forgettable indie rock with all the trimmings. Lyrically, there are a couple of zingy moments. But my goodness, that's a voice one could get bored of very, very quickly. So wearing and wearisome, in fact, that these hangdog vocals overshadow everything else. In an already muted soundscape, such a lugubrious performance merely serves to poison the well. Good name for a band, though.
Dull and lifeless, almost as if written to capture the feeling of a talentless hack who did unspeakable things to record executives to get an album produced.
These are songs I have listened to over and over already. I wasn't sure about David Berman's voice at first, but it is the right voice for these songs. Each time I listen there is another lovely discovery. "The snow falls down so beautiful and stupid" played as I drove through the snow today, and it was perfect. There is a constant, real ache in this music and yet it feels lovely in a way.
When God was young, He made the wind and the sun Since then, it's been a slow education And you got that one idea again The one about dying. Oh oh oh I'm lightning Oh oh oh I'm rain Oh oh oh it's frightening I'm not the same, I'm not the same, I'm not the same There's a screen door banging in the wind Remember you wanted to be like George Washington back then Everybody's going down on themselves No "pardon me"'s or "fare thee well"'s in the end
Brilliant. Whisky sodden, laid back, great songs sounding like the band has set up in your living room.
Fans of Pavement will immediately feel at home with Silver Jews. Same languid, country tinged lo-fi indie. I'd not heard this album before, but I'll be returning to it. Mainly because I'm a sucker for the Pavement sound rather than this album being anything particularly unique
David Berman is my favorite songwriter. I've heard this album countless times and love it. His lyrics are incredible, when listening to them, I turn into that annoying guy who needs to point out how great nearly every line is on its own. 5 out of 5. R.I.P. D.C.B. Standout Tracks: Slow Education, Room Games and Diamond Rain, Time Will Break the World, I Remember Me, Horseleg Swastikas, Transylvania Blues, Let's Not and Say We Did, Tennessee, Friday Night Fever, Death of an Heir of Sorrows
I loved this album - it might be over the top but this is the first time I was really taken aback at the quality of the album - it’s not perfect but it’s a 5* from me - a new find forever!
Poetic and wistful but not brooding. Somewhere twixt indie rock and country. It's nice.
Never heard of Silver Jews. This Was an interesting album. Twangy, but not country. It was a little tough to warm up to, but it eventually won me over to liking it with its simplicity, I guess. Not an everyday listen, but I am sure it is something that will kind of haunt me into waiting to hear it again.
I was very surprised, but I ended up really loving the indie/country/whatever sound. Also, Apple Music started playing Pavement immediately following this, so that algorithm is pretty dead on.
200 albums into the project and I'm still enjoying it. Didn't know this band; turns out that Stephen Malkmus was part of it, though not on this record. It's a very nice album with strong melodies and interesting lyrics.
Had expected American Water instead of this album, but the choice for Bright Flight is not bad either. After all, American Water sometimes sounds half Pavement / half Silver Jews.. and while a Pa/SJ combination is of course a great mix, it is certainly nice to hear Silver Jews "only" and to realize again how good this band was in late 90s - early 00s. I rate American Water as a clear 5* album. This album contains several 5* songs (in particular Tennessee) but for mr it is a very solid 4 overall (conform to my memory of it).
pretty based, honestly not a big country fan but there’s some really nice indie stuff in here, 8/10
Did not expect to like this as much as I did. I really dig the country flavor. Vocals are way too loud in the mix though. Favorite Tracks: Tennessee, Let's Not and Say We Did
7/10. Might even be worth an 8. The mood feels more consistent than monotonous, and is a great way to spend some time being sad.
Vocals were not entirely to my taste. Lyrics were sometimes okay - I liked the occasional storyteller feel. It was a little bland at times, but overall I enjoyed the sound and just felt like something was missing? Normally I'd give this a 3, but there were so many moments I fell in love with musically that it gets pushed to a 4 even though it's more like a 3.5.
If you've seen the excellent Amazon Prime series Patriot, then this album may remind you of the songs that John composes and sings about his line of work.
I’d somehow never heard of David Berman until he died in 2019, but everything I’ve heard of him since I’ve really liked. It’s like if Pavement was sadder and slightly twangier.
Really liked this one. I would have been obsessed with this band if I had discovered them in like 2013
Much comes down to whether you like Berman’s relaxed-yet-tortured vocal style or not, and (his also relaxed-yet-tortured) imagistic lyrics. I’m good on both and thus consider this a quirky classic and minor masterpiece. Many good songs, with highlights throughout. “Slow Education,”” Time Will Break the World,” “Horseleg Swastikas, “Tennessee”
Bastante chulos. Indie rock suave, tranquilo. Un poco a Lemonheads, pero más tristones.
It's weird, it's quirky, it's not great, but there is something about it that keeps me listening, and I'm seeking out their other work to listen to, so I guess I like it? really not sure how to feel about this.
While solidly downtempo from my usual taste, this LP contains an unexpected wealth of lyrical and instrumental power not belied by the first few tracks. The first half excels at less is more - powerfully raw lyrics set against minimal but appropriate melodic tracks can never go wrong. The second wows with an almost orchestral swell in the melodic and rhythmic sections, bringing the album to an emotional breaking point before drifting away into the ether.
fav song - horseleg swastikas - reminds me of elliott smith - great lyrics about being lost in life and feeling like you always do the wrong thing least fav - tennessee - the only song that went too far into the silly side without the emotional side to balance
Una buena voz para temas muy tranquilos en un ambiente desenchufado, pero aun así, cómodo de escuchar. Un descubrimiento
Didn’t really listen to any of his stuff at the time. This is a very good record. Interesting songs and lyrics.
Very calm, chill start to the album, a bit country a bit indie. Not too sure about the vocals I think the songs could sound much better if the singer, gave more fucks? I liked the heavier tracks and particularly enjoyed Transylvania Blues. Saved tracks: Room Games and Diamond Rain, I Remember Me, Transylvania Blues
For someone that grew up listening to some folk this album went pretty well. Im giving it 4 stars and it might go up
With the first couple of songs I was expecting to dislike this album, but I found myself enjoying it more and more as it progressed. Maybe another situation-based enjoyment? Right now I'm on a bus to the city and watching the bleak wintery countryside going past proved to be a nice match for this early 00s American indie country rock record. Gave me time to reflect. I think on a normal day, either at home or in the car, I would have found this album extremely boring, but it just worked today so it turned out to be an album I honestly enjoyed. Favourite: Transylvania Blues
This was some really nice Nashville indie rock. Let’s not and say we did was my favorite and the rest was pleasant but sad. Not much more to say.
A conundrum. While this is a good release, with a few great songs (Tennessee, I Remember Me), I prefer American Water, the Silver Jews first release. I didn't expect there to be two releases from Silver Jews on this list. Notwithstanding my reservation, this is a good listen from an underappreciated group,
I’m a big silver jews fan, but I have to admit I was surprised (though not upset) to see this on the list. I think I’d only listened to it once before. It’s probably their 3rd or 4th best album, so does that mean the others will be here as well? This is no American Water, but it’s a great album. Berman was one of the greatest lyricists of all time and his low voice complements the sleepy country vibe perfectly. This album gets better as it goes. I Remember Me, Tennessee, Friday Night Fever, and Death of an Heir of Sorrows are fantastic.
This is VERY VERY different from anything i've ever listened to (on purpose). That does not by any means I dislike it, in fact, I really dig the vibe (even though some songs can be a little gloomy). I read through all the wikipedia info on the bands frontman (Berman) and was entranced in all the crazy details and events that this guy went through in his life, mostly very sad. There was, however, a hilarious quote I found: "I've got a credit card rotisserie system that would dazzle the ancients"
I liked this somewhat - this indie-rock-meets-country album somehow sounds bleak, but in the first couple of songs manages to hit the right notes for me. The songs on the opposite end aren't as strong, though. 3/5
I enjoyed this and there were some real stand out tracks, but it didn’t really fully click with me as an album for whatever reason.
Mmmm, como que me sonó a muchas cosas y no le encontré algo único, pero quizá porque no conocía Silver Jews. En fin... 6.5/10
After reading the reviews and Wikipedia it sounded like an album I would enjoy. I did, but not as much as I thought I would. Maybe if I listen to it again or different albums. In the end not bad, some good songs on it l also. Favourite songs: - I remember me - Let’s not and say we did - Friday night fever
What a strange time. Irreverent, blunt, and occasionally hilarious, they lyricism on display is a special kind of witty that almost goes too far into annoying. He's definitely got something going, but I'm not sure how much I enjoy it.
Quite liked it, bit wobbly in parts though. Can hear lots of other things like pavement/bright eyes/Elliot smith/Decemberists etc in there.
Never Heard of Silver Jews before this so definitely my first time of listening. Wow, love this! A cross between Lou Reed (Circa Velvets), Leonard Cohen and David Lowery from Camper Van Beethoven. Some sad but definitely Sunday morning songs, I am intrigued by his voice and his lyrical content. "I Remember Me" "Horseleg Swastikas" and "Let's Not Say We Did" are my favourites here. A lovely sunday morning listen but not sure if it justifies a place on this list!
I still have a ways to go before I'm totally on-board with Berman's voice. That said: I got on board with the longer instrumental sections in the second half, lyrics worth reading, love songs, the passage of time.
Really dug the instrumentals, did not enjoy the vocals. Sounded like someone complaining at me for 35 minutes. Looks like it's some members of Pavement with a different vocalist, I guess that explains it.
This is an album you need to sit down and take your time with. When David Berman sings, you need to listen to his lyrics. It has a country/indie rock charm, but there is always the feeling that there are storm clouds on the horizon. It's an album that needs a hug and a pat on the shoulder. Best Tracks: Slow Education; I Remember Me; Tennessee
Not a terrible album by any stretch, but just alright. It's a decent listen, but nothing really stands out as an important track. Definitely feels like a product of it's time.
Quaint little album. Feels very personal and intimate which I enjoyed, and the song topics are interesting and meaningful. Overall pretty decent for something that is not my usual genre. 6/10
Beautiful Americana/alt country but is it ground breaking or life changing enough to be on this list.
Meh...this one was okay. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Definitely a stronger second half of the album, which is better than the reverse situation. My favorite tracks on this leaned more heavily country and less into...hipster-folk, if you can call it that? That's more what the first half of the album was IMO. Fave track: Tennessee. Yes, the "ten-I-see" pun was total cheese, but it was self-aware. And more importantly, the melody was calm and nice. Overall a smooth and enjoyable listening experience, but not SO enjoyable I'd revisit. The Mississippi of albums.
Nice, country-infused indie. I like the sons, but can't really get on with the vocals. The singer's inability to hold a note appears to compromise delivery of the natural melody. This could have been a great album with an in-tune breathy female vocal. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Slow Education Date listened: 25/05/22
Heard of them before but never listened, pleasant lo-fi American indie with some good songs rather undersold by singing that may be an acquired tastes.
A somewhat mediocre album. Mediocre voice, mediocre lyrics, mediocre arragments. 1-2 songs that are good, but no 1001 for me. (5/10) FT: I Remember Me
Great moody alt-country vibe. Excellent balance of the twangy and the dissonant. It took me a couple of songs to settle into David Berman's vocal style, but it works here. Will definitely revisit this. Fave Songs: Transylvania Blues, Room Games and Diamond Rain, I Remember Me, Death of an Heir of Sorrows, Slow Education