Bright Flight

Mumble Sad bastard music

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.

“I asked the painter why the roads are colored black…He said, ‘Steve, it’s because people leave and no highway will bring them back.’” - “Random Rules” from Silver Jews’ 1998 record, American Water I know I probably shouldn’t start a review with a lyric from an album I’m not actually reviewing, but it’s the Silver Jews lyric that I just can’t shake. It haunts me…an epitaph that was written 20 years before it would prove to be useful…the fate of David Berman, it breaks my heart to this day. So much so that the only unopened and unplayed vinyl record in my collection is his Purple Mountains record: I had pre-ordered it before release, received it and set it aside to listen to when worked slowed down a bit and I had more free time. Of course, I had listened to the album on my streaming platform of choice when it was released, but never got the time to sit down and experience it on vinyl. The next thing I knew, the news broke that he had passed. Knowing what I knew, and the general tone of that record, I couldn’t bring myself to sit down and listen to it. Still can’t. The music on Purple Mountains lays bear his unhappiness in life and by the time it came out, it seems it was too late for much to be done about it. It breaks my fucking heart. Bright Flight, released nearly two decades earlier, is not as bleak as Purple Mountains turned out to be, but it is less upbeat than its predecessor, American Water. As usual, Berman’s uniquely poetic and evocative lyrics are on full display here. Musically, he leans in to a minimal country-tinged indie rock sound, inspired by his recent move to Nashville. It’s a great record that, frankly, I don’t listen to as much as I should. Had I assembled this list, American Water would have been my choice for a Silver Jews record to include. There is something special about that record for me and I think if I could recommend only one Silver Jews record to people, American Water would pique a new listener’s interest the most. Regardless of which Silver Jews record we’re talking about, there is one truth that can’t be understated: David Berman had a wholly unique way with words and was a one-of-a-kind talent. He is missed. Rest in peace, DCB.

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.

I think this guy likes Tom Waits

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

You’re the only 10 I see. RIP DCB.

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!

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 fucking loved this album. Please listen to it if you havent yet. Silver Jews is great, listened to like half their discog after this album. 100% going on the main playlist. bitches come over and cream when i put this on. the end

Some 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

Brilliant. Whisky sodden, laid back, great songs sounding like the band has set up in your living room.

I listened to the first half last night when on a drunken stumble to the local shop to pick up more booze. I listened to the full album this morning when on a hunger stumble to pick up painkillers and caffeine. Both times, this album just spoke to me. The melancholy, the directionless protagonists, the simple, bleak instrumentation. I noticed that the can of beer that I had left half empty next to the sofa I’m crashing on had tipped over sometime during the night. It was right next to a portable heater, and if it had been more full, it would have spilled and probably short circuited something. These sorts of small coincidences are what makes up the vast majority of everyday life and, judging by the lyrics on Bright Flight, it seems as if these are the sorts of stories that David Berman was able to tell, and tell with such mastery. I was kinda shocked at the bleakness of the ending especially

So far this is boring as hell Still really boring.

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.

Pretty dull early 2000s lo fi American indie.

Honestly seemed like some sort of parody, terrible 1

Perhaps it is because I'm sick, it's storming, and I just feel generally gloomy, but this album really hit for me. It's like if Pavement was put through the Americana machine and given a few extra twangs for good measure, but some of the lyrics cut so deep and are so devastatingly dripping with loneliness that I felt like I was on the verge of tears whilst listening. His voice took a bit of getting used to, not being quite as smooth as other acts in the genre, but again, that only draws more Pavement comparisons. It's actually kind of ironic, as this is one of the few albums where Stephen Malkmus didn't partake, but the slacker sound permeates still. It's intricately produced to feel like being alone at a bar, but still be the epitome of a big hug when needed most, and I overall just really vibe with this sort of stuff. I can't quite cross over to that pop country sound, no matter the era, but this wallowing bottomless well of an album is exactly what the doctor ordered, and I'm living within it.

Poetic and wistful but not brooding. Somewhere twixt indie rock and country. It's nice.

From the opening bars of track 1, my expectations plummeted. Look, I get that they're trying to be chill, music you could hear your Leonard Cohen/ Dolly Parton-obsessed friends playing at a hangout, but it's just too earnest and without hooks.

Yeah I don't know man, do we really need this one? I think my cynicism is growing now that we are some 850 albums into the list, but each little rock album that we get that doesn't make a serious splash hurts me more and more. What does this add to the tapestry of music, of the history of all music made? Is that contribution one that, were I to have died yesterday having not heard this, my experience of music would have been incomplete? In this case, definitely not. Believe me, we have received a lot of albums that do fall into that box. This isn't one of them. It's fine. Not bad, not particularly good either. Vocals are a little strange, that's the only think remarkable here. But I'd boot it for something more deserving. Really, I'm starting to think that 1001 is just too big of a barrel to fill. Favorite tracks: I Remember Me, Transylvania Blues. Album art: It's, uh, a folder on a couch? I do like the font, and the band name "Silver Jews" is interesting, especially with a track called "Horseleg Swastikas." 2.5/5

Very good album. Highly recommend. Curious vocalists, very good and well made, his voice is never once annoying. 8.75/10.

NOW WE'RE TALKIN', ABSOLUTE BEAST OF A RECORD HERE

Another old favorite.I love that band so much! The voice, lyrics, and music make me feel right at home and like I’m just where I belong. And I hope the pain is gone for David now

Had never heard of them. Loved this and ended up playing over and over, once I got past the initial surprise of the lead vocal.

Great Album. RIP David Berman

Awesome!

new fan. dudes awesome. love the prominent lyrics.

"And I wanna be like water when I can, because water doesn't give a damn. Water doesn't give a damn." I've read about David Berman, especially after his death and I've heard some of the songs he's written and performed on but I've never had heard any of his albums as a whole until this and, quite frankly, I really liked what I heard. Almost cosmic country in its orbit but with a emphasis on despair and death, it's ironic that the album has the name "bright" as its title. But enough about that, this is a pretty stellar entry for me in regards to Berman's work. I can see what the fuss is about. "Punk rock died when the first kid said, Punk's not dead Punk's not dead."

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

Smooth, clever, well-balanced. Love the vocals and acoustic guitars.

Bit meh

Could not get past the voice. I'm not saying I could sing better, but I'm also not putting out albums.

Better than Coldplay.

Well I couldn't find anything to dislike about this, it had good lyrics/ vocals, interesting music, veering from country to indie and back again. Definitely getting the Pavement vibes. So this was definitely going to be a 4 or a 5, but I'm going with 5.

One of the greatest lyricists and song writers of the past 50 years. I’m not sure how this album in particular was chosen over American water or even the natural bridge, which I think exemplifies Berman’s unique style of writing far better, but I’ll never complain about having to listen to a Silver Jews album. If you didn’t like this album I’d urge you to listen to purple mountains, one of the best and most powerful albums of the 21st century. If that clicks for you then maybe you’ll find a new appreciation for this one as well.

For some reason I looked at the rating before listening. I'm extremely surprised at the overall score for this. This is not the most musically challenging, or lyrically complex album on the list, but everything just works. The lyrics are bleak, and the music is wistfully leaning back decades, but something just drawing me back in to another listen.

Een soort indie variant van Tom Waits met Nick Cave, met een stukje country maar zonder de goedkope country teksten. Ook wat Bob Dylan eigenschappen, maar in dit geval is het wél nog om aan te horen, ondanks dat hij dus soms wat dissonant klinkt. Soms wat bluesy, waarbij de artiest daadwerkelijk zo blue was dat 'ie de hand aan zichzelf heeft geslagen. En hoe rustig het album over het algemeen ook is, er wordt af en toe echt wel een lekker stukje muziek gemaakt. Een heerlijke productie om naar te luisteren, waarbij alle instrumenten (het zijn er niet zoveel, maar dat is geen probleem) allemaal geweldig klinken. Helder maar toch warm, lekker ruimtelijk. 35 minuutjes is ook niet teveel. Het zal niet m'n minst controversiële 5 zijn, maar ik ga hem wel uitdelen.

I'd.previously heard of Berman but never listened to Silver Jews before. So this is a fantastic find for me; I really liked it. I think Berman's voice really works well with the music, but I actually thought the instrumental Transylvania Blues was the standout. Was in the mood for this today, so I'm going to give it a 5.

Since this (probably) going to be the only Silver Jews album on the list I will have to give it a five star rating. But only as an ode to Lookout Mountain Lookout Sea, American Water, Tanglewood Numbers and The Natural Bridge. Any of those albums would have been a better selection for the list and would have been legit 5 starers. As for bright flight I enjoy it, I think it reflects the time and place Berman was in, it was a good collection of songs and a couple of stand outs.

Surprised there are multiple Silver Jews albums on here, not sure if that’s needed but I love them so not mad. This is either my second or third favorite of theirs with American Water easily being the best. This is still such a solid album. Silver Jews is probably my favorite fall time band. Rating: 4.7

David Berman may not have had a traditionally beautiful voice, but his flat delivery and thoughtful/melancholic lyrics make for instantly memorable listening. I was late to the Silver Jews and only heard about them in the wake of Berman’s untimely death in 2019 but am struck by their brand of indie country set against Berman’s sardonic, sarcastic, and earnest delivery. The songs have a lazy meandering flow despite their short length but have an austere quality that gives them a sense of urgency and potency.

Phenomenal early 2000s melancholic Indie stuff

Yes this was good I liked this one

This is the kind of charming and awkward indie-rock sound that's very easy for me to enjoy. It takes a lot from bands like Modest Mouse and Slint (in fact, a couple of members from Slint are in Sliver Jews), but adds a very nice country flair to it all. The music here is very rundown, depressing, and sort of hopeless in a lot of ways - an effect that's amplified when reading up on the tragic life of David Berman, the lead vocalist here. His monotone, deadpan delivery here is what sells the record, it makes any sort of emotion that manages to come out feel that much more powerful. I'd say that attitude comes to a head on the closer 'Death of an Heir of Sorrows' with its heart-breaking depiction of loss, a theme dealt with on many songs on this album. I also really like the female vocalist here, who, I believe, was David's wife at the time - she really saves the song 'Tennessee', after David hits you with that cheesy as all hell refrain (still a cute song regardless). Not all the songs here deal with loss directly - 'Time Will Break The World' seems to be taking on much larger subject matter, with this epic and haunting guitar tone driving the whole thing. The not-so-happy story of 'I Remember Me' was engaging, and the instrumental 'Transylvania Blues' may just be the best thing here. The playing on this album in general is very solid. Still think this is a very difficult album to dissect after one listen, but I found its varied approach to the many sounds of the '90s alt-rock scene to be refreshing at the very least, and quite easy to digest.

Chills. So haunting the Tennessee song is special.

Silver Jews - Bright Flight Very much my cup of tea, and a new album for me from a band I already enjoy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I like Silver Jews. American Water is one of my favourite albums of the last 30 years. David Berman's voice has a Johnny Cash quality. Of course he has nowhere near the power and resonance of Cash's baritone but the phrasing definitely puts me in mind of Cash, he has a natural matter of factness to his singing that feels really comfortable and makes me want to listen more and more. Though this album is not up to the quality of American Water it definitely has all the qualities of songwriting and storytelling that Berman is so adept at. 4 stars

Intriguing. I’d never heard of the band. Echoes of Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, maybe Johnny Cash, what’s not to like? Rated a 4 so I’ll come back to it.

I find it fascinating that David Berman and Steven Malkmus played together, because Berman's vocal stylings are *so much* like Malkmus'. I wonder who developed that up and down lilt first. Anyway, this is quite good. I'm not as enamored as many folks who really got into this, but as a sort of proto-emo, I can see that particular appeal. Unexpected bangers: Time Will Break the World, Tennessee, Death of an Heir of Sorrows.

Beautiful bluesy and broken. That’s the kind of album I come to associate with this list.

Someone forgot to take their lithium! This album should come with an 800# for the Samaritans on it. I ❤️ Silver Jews. Sad country and sad indie are two of my favorite styles and so this is like Reeses peanut butter cups for my ears: two great tastes that go great together! But they are also the GG Allin of low-fi country rock because you can tell it's going to end badly, in fact they're telling you directly, and it's hard to look away. Hadn't heard this one before but played it three times in a row, I loved it so much. This album, like the others I have heard, would make a great test of a psychotherapist's professional ethics: how many songs does it take before the shrink is compelled to intervene? Also, "I want to be like water if I can...because water doesn't give a damn" - what a great line! Their lyrics jazz me up to where it's distracting. Unexpected rhymes are good times! I can't wait to read what my poet sister thinks of them.

This album has been awesome. Really really enjoyed it. Kurt Vile vibes in some ways, nice low key country. Will try to keep this in the rotation, for sure!

I wasn't sure at first but Berman sticks the landing with a country inspired indie rock record full of wit and panache. Vivid imagery and story telling, the highlight is Tennessee - you roll your eyes at the 'Ten I See' gag before being dragged in and singing along. Audacious.

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.

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,

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.

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.

You know what? I didn’t hate this. I really expected to, but didn’t hate it. I have a low tolerance for sad bastard music, but this was solid. Something about it was relatively homely and forthcoming. Not trying to make something fancy of the sadness or slices of life it portrayed. Everything was presented nice and plain. I respect that. “I Remember Me” and “Friday Night Fever” were my clear favorites. 3/5 you alright sadboy

I enjoyed the album but would enjoy it more with a different singer.

For much of my teens I would have said I was massively into indie. Britpop was a gateway for me but I was a bit young when that was happening. Indie was something I was old enough to buy lots of, start going to gigs and feel part of the scene. Then I moved to America and was pretty confused. What they called 'indie' was totally different to what I had grown to love. And not just different bands, quite a different sound. As I soon found out and logically deduced, since 'indie' was ostensibly a nickname for 'independent', it stands to reason that different music would end up on independent labels in different countries. But it took some time to adjust my understanding. US indie is quite hit or miss for me and this album feels fairly typical of what I associate the term with in the US market. It has its rock leanings, a lot more country-infused than you'd get in the UK. It's pretty lo-fi, and most notably, the lyrics are infantile. For some reason, US indie artists seem to be intent on writing songs that sound like nursery rhymes and then playing them in broadly 4-piece bands. The vocals seem to have a loose, open relationship with tuning, and sometimes the instruments do too. So when Silver Jews started coming out with absurd lines like rhyming 'a kitten' with 'Great Britain', bits like 'they flew to Aruba and threw a boom box in the sea' and 'my horse's legs look like shotguns' I could just feel the stars dropping off my rating. To be fair, the music is decent. I nodded along to plenty of it, there are good hooks and an overall sound that's easy to get into. There are some clever, affecting metaphors but I just found the lyrics ridiculous in so many places. They're either trying too hard to be quirky or they're just odd and nobody at their indie label was prepared to say 'No. Write something sensible. You're fully grown adults'.

Have never really listened to the post-Natural Bridge era of Silver Jews, as there are only so many hours available in one lifetime. Part of a subgenre I skillfully christen "depressed baritone country-adjacent indie warbling", also inhabited by other talented and prodigious practitioners such as Will Oldham and Bill Callahan. When they're on their game, they can be transcendent; when they're not, it's never bad but also not very memorable. This falls into the latter camp. If you like this at all, please check out Purple Mountains, sadly David Berman's ultimate masterpiece, an easy 5*. This one - a generous 3

Nah.

This songwriting was all right, I think, but I could NOT stand this vocalist AT ALL. What a depressing bore (which I guess fits my mood for today.)

No

i am really finding this very uninspired the instrument work is quite lacking in substance and feels predictable the lyrical work and melody alike are both subdued and feel deliberately unsuccessful in an artful way that hasnt quite come across almost like a blank canvas entitled blank canvas or more like a multicoloured canvas entitled multicoloured canvas i remember me was somewhat likeable and the horseleg swastikas had a bit more interest than the first three tracks but nothing special just starting transylvania blues and i am liking the drums and interesting guitar parts youre the only ten i see oh my that didnt give me much confidence im happy putting one star for this because i really didnt get on with it at all

nope

They always have such original turns of phrase, great to see this here

# Silver Jews' *Bright Flight* – A Detailed Retrospective --- ## Overview Released in 2001, *Bright Flight* is the fourth studio album by David Berman's Silver Jews. Recorded in Nashville and produced by Mark Nevers, it arrived as a deliberate response to the shadow of its predecessor, the critically acclaimed *American Water* (1998). The album marks a significant stylistic pivot, where Berman moves away from the looser, Pavement-adjacent indie rock towards a more grounded, alt-country sound deeply colored by his new surroundings. It is a record of stark contrasts—weaving apocalyptic imagery with tender love songs, and profound melancholy with sharp, sardonic wit. --- ## Lyrical Themes David Berman's songwriting is the beating heart of *Bright Flight*, showcasing his reputation as a poet who happens to make music. The lyrics are dense with vivid imagery and a unique blend of the personal and the surreal. **Romance and Partnership** Central to the album is Berman's relationship with his future wife, Cassie Berman, who provides backing vocals. Their duet on "Tennessee" is a sweet, "punk-rock Gram and Emmylou" moment, with Berman pledging, "We're gonna live in Nashville and I'll make a career / Out of writing sad songs and getting paid by the tear". "Room Games and Diamond Rain" offers a similarly sincere vow, where Berman sings of a love that will last "a hundred years," a line that somehow rings truer for being delivered with a sardonic edge. **Melancholy, Mortality, and Apocalypse** The album frequently delves into darker territory. "I Remember Me" presents a tragic-comic story of a marriage proposal interrupted by a runaway truck—a narrative that ranks among Berman's most powerful portrayals of love and loss. "Horseleg Swastikas" captures the hangover of existence with brutal honesty ("every single thought is like a punch in the face, I'm like a rabbit freezing on a star"). "Time Will Break the World" is laced with apocalyptic visions, including the surreal image of "tanning beds explode with rich women inside". The album closes with the sparse, heartbreaking "Death of an Heir of Sorrows," a direct tribute to a departed friend that is both intensely personal and universally resonant. --- ## Music and Production ### Musical Style Where *American Water* felt loose and sprawling, *Bright Flight* is tighter and more formally rooted in country tradition. The absence of Stephen Malkmus is notable; his role is filled by guitarist William Tyler and a cast of Nashville-based musicians, including Paul Niehaus on pedal steel. This shift results in a sound that is twangier and more solemn, evoking the influence of classic country songwriting. ### Production Produced by Mark Nevers, the album has a clean, warm, and atmospheric sound that emphasizes intimacy. The arrangements are notably sparse, allowing Berman's voice and lyrics to take precedence. The pedal steel and acoustic guitar are given space to breathe, creating a "living-room" feel that is more polished and refined than the lo-fi sound of earlier records, yet retains a raw emotional core. --- ## Critical Reception and Influence Upon release, *Bright Flight* was met with generally positive reviews, scoring around 80/100 across major outlets. *Pitchfork* awarded it an 8.5, praising Berman's "intelligent backwoods swagger". Critics widely celebrated it as a worthy follow-up to *American Water*, though some noted its "less sonically interesting" nature. While *American Water* remains the fan favorite for many, *Bright Flight* is increasingly seen as a criminally underrated gem, appreciated for its emotional directness and cohesive alt-country sound. The album is considered a crucial stepping stone in the Silver Jews' career, marking Berman's complete emergence from the "Pavement side project" shadow and cementing his status as a singular American songwriter. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | | :--- | :--- | | **Exceptional Lyricism:** Berman's poetic and witty songwriting is at its peak, full of memorable couplets that balance humor and despair. | **Lack of 'American Water' Spark:** The album is more grounded and less sonically adventurous, which some fans find less interesting than its predecessor. | | **Cohesive Atmosphere:** The Nashville production creates a warm, intimate, and deeply immersive listening experience. | **Lower Energy:** The slower, more solemn pacing may feel underwhelming for those expecting the loose energy of earlier indie-rock-oriented albums. | | **Emotional Depth:** The album covers a vast emotional range, from genuine romantic sentiment ("Tennessee") to devastating tragedy ("I Remember Me") and existential angst. | **Instrumental Track:** "Transylvania Blues," while an interesting interlude, may feel like filler in an otherwise lyrically dense set. | | **Strong Songwriting:** The arrangements are tight and serve the songs effectively, highlighting Berman's voice and lyrics. | | --- *Bright Flight* is not just an album; it's a document of an artist navigating the complexities of love, addiction, and mortality. It stands as a testament to David Berman's unique talent, offering a beautiful, tragic, and ultimately rewarding listening experience that continues to resonate with fans and critics alike.

I’ve listened to this album a million times already, and will happily (and inevitably) listen to it a million more. Is it Silver Jews best album? Maybe not, but it’s still basically perfect and has arguably their best ever song Tennessee.

This album is so fucking gut wrenching. 5/5. RIP DB

This album reminded me of late career Johnny cash, although admittedly without the edge and swagger. Still though I kinda of dug it. Would relisten.

I think this band sounds to me like Bob Dylan supposedly sounded to the 60s generation. This isn’t the record I’m most familiar with but it has the same level of literary profundity and understated melancholy as the others.

Silver Jews is a top 10 band for me. And time will break. The world is one of my favorite songs; it was a joy to spend time listening to this full album, it's short, it's tight, 5/5 for sure b

A pretty important day for me, an important realization, and maybe this album played a part in it. You never know. Either way, it’s a great album made by a prophetic lyrical genius. It made me listen to American Water which is even better, a 6-star album.

So cool to see Silver Jews on this list! kitten from great Britain. Writing sad songs and getting paid by the tear. I can't raise hell for two. Tanning beds explode with rich women inside. Who writes lyrics like this?!? Crazy and amazing. Honk if You're Lonely is also great by them. 5

Love the music of the groups that influenced them as well as those they influenced. Sweet, dark, and funny lyrics. Just like real life.

This was really good. Super entertaining.

peak

This album rings as an old man recounting the great joys and greater regrets of his life. The simple music contains and grounds David Berman’s less-than-serious-yet devastatingly-sentimental words and deadpan vocal delivery, allowing the few moments of inflection to punch through and deliver. Transylvania Blues is a brief moment where David and his dense lyrics take a breather. The simple timekeeping and melody of the rest of the album transitions to a musical inflection where percussion and ghostly guitars swirl around each other before soaring off in the final moment. Berman and Silver Jews have one love and it’s everything. David’s gift of wit and storytelling keeps the listener at the edge of whatever aural equivalent there is to a seat, constantly aware of the fact that we aren’t always promised tomorrow. There passion, panic, and sagacious care placed in every word and note of this album.

I liked it quite a lot. Kinda liked the country vibes mixed with the depressive inde rock. Good album.

I know its not for everyone but I really love Berman.

Five stars for "Transylvania Blues" alone

this is such a friday treat for a girl like me

I mean, I think it’s perfect but I worship at the altar of the late great DC Berman. This is one of my favorites, though I kind of just love them all the best.

All silver jews albums are 5 stars. This is one that I've definitely listened to less than others, but they're all phenomenal. Purple Mountains is still my all time favorite Berman project but the man was just a genius. Slow Education, I Remember Me, Let's Not and Say We Did, and Tennessee are highlights for this one.

The natural bridge is better but this is still heat

Don’t look at Global reviews. Don’t look at Global reviews. It will only make you mad.

adorei

Far from perfect but maybe that’s part of why it hit me straight in the gut. Raw beauty. Hope intermingled with darkness. I’ve been obsessively listening to this for the last couple of days. Maybe it’s the seasonal dip in full swing as the dark Swedish winter is coming up - but this spoke straight to my heart.

David Berman is one of the best songwriters of all time and this is one of his best.

you wouldn't think with a guy singing like this there'd be much potential of catchy songs. David Berman's hit rate was very high. I remember when I first heard Strange Victory, Strange Defeat I thought only 'hm. ok.' Then I thought maybe I'd listen to it again a while later. now I think about that song often. I'm glad that I now like these songs right away hearing them for the first time. offers a lot in the way of processing the world. music that makes space to inhabit small things. thanks Silver Jews. music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)

[taking out the list of Lyricists who are Actually Poets] [it’s tiny, it fits on one of those half size post its] [adding David Berman]

(94/100)

I normally do not care for this kind of music but this album was absolutely fantastic and I will certainly be revisiting it again. This man manages to sound sad without being so depressing I roll my eyes at it. I love it.

Great

Love

אין לי שמץ איך אבל זה 9.1 מתוך עשר - לכן זה 5 מתוך 5. שיר מועדף - Transylvania Blues

I get why this isn’t everyone’s bag, but this hit something with me. I wish David Berman got to see how many lives he was able to touch just with music.