Reviews (page 2 of 7)
This is not your average indie band. Each and overy one of the ten tracks on this record were crafted to perfection, both melodically and lyrically, with each one telling a story which permeates into our emotions, whether it be sadness, joy, nostalgia etc. It's not just a record, it is a full-blooded composition piece, David Berman's magnum opus, so to say.
Slow education, starting off religious. His heavy voice with the brightness of the woman’s that come in is a beautiful pairing. The instrumentation seems very secondary to the lyrics on this one, somewhat sloppy in a good way, to match the lead vocal. So it’s about doubting religion??, and growing up and feeling like you’ve been lied to?? and it leads to the idea of death :( I love how childish and also deep cut the chorus is. Talking about being part of all the elements and knowing “i’m not the same” after being enlightened in whatever way. Room Games, such a romantic opening “i’m gonna love you for a hundred years, through suffering and celebration dear”. This is a gorgeous understated indie love song. oh my lord “we’re gonna die till it doesn’t hurt, then they can bury us side by side” it may seem like it’s been said before, but for me he’s just set such a high standard of lyrical ability! that’s stunningly heartbreaking. The guitar solo is precious, the drums are such so stable and the vocals are not perfect in a brilliant way. Time Will Break The World, greaaaat title. Another Ab Lincoln mention. I resonate with “the snow falls down so beautiful and stupid”. I think this must be about government or obviously just the state of the world in 2001, “And i have no idea what drives you mister, But i’ve killed you in my mind so many times before.” A big statement. I remember me, he’s a romantic. and a beautiful writer. “And they slow danced so the needle wouldn’t skip, Until the room was filled with light.” Followed by “The sunshine walking inside you, And the man you could see in me” has made me tear up. Oh god my heart just broke “when a runaway truck hit him where he stood”, “so deep in his coma, when he finally came to the girl he loved was long gone”. what a sad but great storyline! “I remember her, i remember then, i’m just remembering” Horseleg Swastikas, makes me nervous kinda title. I’ve been thinking he gives me a Johnny Cash vibe and this song has solidified that. This is indie country. “And i wanna be like water if i can, cause water doesn’t give a damn” Transylvania Blues, is a nice instrumental break but i miss his lyricism lol. Let’s Not and Say We Did It, also great title, drums are the starrrr of the show. Incredible rhythm, such a fast pace. This is a fun and silly song i like it. Piano is great too, sounding very honkytonk. “we can ride all day in a one course open sleigh, and that’s exactly what we did”, such a good ending. I heard a little chuckle in the mix too. Tennessee, “i’ll make a career, out of writing sad songs and getting paid by the tear”!!! i love his honesty. “Marry me and…come to tennessee, cause you’re the only ten i see” brilliant. Oh the woman’s responding now, she has a small section but a great one. “Because the dead do not improve”, this is true but in my head also harsh, i think that the memories of a person can become a better legacy than people thought when they were here. Hindsight sometimes signs such a big amount of love. Friday Night Fever, a song simply about the need to be independent. And it’s true and great. “Sometimes a man just needs a breather, She knows i love her and i need her, I’ve just got that friday night fever”. Women feel the same. Death, last song. He continues to be so sad and sweet. “We’d never been promised there will be a tomorrow, So let’s just call it the death of an heir of sorrows.” “I wish I had a new pair of boots, But mostly i wish, i wish i was with you”. This is a 5 and i was not expecting it at all. I had no idea what I was in for. Ive learnt that David Berman never really liked to do live shows and I’ve just learnt that David Berman is dead and a real part of me is sad. I had hope I could see him live. He’s new favourite songwriter of mine. And i hope that the other two members of the band are well.
Everything Berman ever did is amazing. I don’t know if it’s exactly a good time listening to it but it’s also all elevated when you learn the backstory of everything surrounding it. He and his work are mythological for a reason. But I am convinced it contains magical incantations and if I listen to it too much I will also kill myself.
Was not at all expecting Silver Jews to show up on this. What a pleasant surprise. I listened to this album all day and what a joy and a delight. Perfect!
First time listening to this group. I enjoy melancholy music so I like this. I know he doesn't have the greatest voice but he's expressing his feelings through words and music. It takes a lot of balls to put yourself out there like that, especially when you know people are just going to gripe about it. Glad this was on the list.
Drawling Indy is great.
cool
Мне жутко попало в настроение меланхолии и боли в груди Вокал при этом в начале бесил, но дальше я смог легко с ним смириться и он начал мне нравиться ну и текста очень прикольные: "Marry me, leave Kentucky and come to Tennessee, ’Cause you’re the only ten I see" "Punk rock died when the first kid said, Punk's not dead Punk's not dead" "And you got that one idea again The one about dying." ну я честно как-то давно не проникался строчками. Это не идеальный альбом, но он очень крепок Алкоальбом: бутылка водки ночью
Excelente de principio a fin.
Nice album
awesome
Sehr gut
Lo amo.
I did not expect a band called "The Silver Jews" to have a sound like this. I feel like they should be a punk band, not a lo-fi Tom Waits does country alt-rock band. A pretty good album, though I do not think I will begin listening to all of the Silver Jews albums now. My favorite songs: Slow Education Time Will Break the World I Remember You Let's Not and Say We Did Tennessee
lyrics
- This is not a 5-star album (there is nothing here inherently revolutionary or ground-breaking), but it may be in my heart. - Berman's lyrics pierce straight through your heart, especially in "I Remember You" (beautiful). Incredibly emotionally affecting. - As a romantic dude who suffers from bouts of melancholy and found himself stuck on the periphery of the South despite constantly feeling like he should be somewhere else, I feel very seen.
full of aphoristic lyrics - "the icicles are dripping like the whole house is weeping", sung by a man who has been through a lot of troubles. this is both urgent and scrappy, reminiscent of Neil Young's more tequila-soaked 3am records
Sad country soft spoken songs about love and nostalgia and grief. Distinct song : I remember me
It’s been a long time since I’ve listened to Silver Jews and I definitely appreciate it a lot more this time around
Love the lofi poetry and mix of sincerity and irony in David Berman’s delivery. There are some brilliant songs here too.
Een album uit 2001 en wederom heb ik hier nog nooit van gehoord. Al begrijp ik na de eerste klanken wel waarom. Het is een beetje rafelige indie rock en lo-fi, met een prima gitaartje, maar ook een zanger die de juiste noten niet weet te raken. Het is dus niet echt geschikt voor de radio. De zanger doet me aan een andere zanger denken, maar ik kan er niet op komen wie. Dus daar hebben jullie helaas geen fluit aan. We krijgen wel duidelijk te horen dat de zanger niet helemaal lekker in zijn vel zit. De wiki-pagina is wat dat betreft weer om te smullen. Depressie, drugsproblemen, etc. En daar zat hij dus middenin tijdens dit album. Het rafelige en de imperfectie heeft daarmee toch ook wel weer iets moois, het geeft karakter en emotie aan de muziek. Ik vind dit stiekem best wel leuk. Al weet ik niet of ik het zomaar nog een keer op zal zetten. Een beetje een 3,5 en ik rond het vandaag af naar een 4, maar een andere dag zou het misschien ook een 2 of een 3 kunnen zijn. Je moet ervoor in de stemming zijn vermoed ik.
A cool, velvet underground-inspired album. I love the nonchalance and the playfulness, that’s right up my alley. I’ll be diving deeper into this band.
Laconic and laid back alt country with rustic sounds and sad lovelorn songs. Ambling shambling and gently miserable. Great lapsteel parts.
Alt rock, lo fi. Very simple, lovely folk songs. Simple vocals.
Really interesting album and a new find
I thought this was pretty pleasant! i did have to get over his indie man voice a little, but that sort of thing is becoming easier as i #age and live in #brooklyn longer. Fav Tracks: Horseleg Swastikas; Let’s Not and Say We Did; Tennessee
Better than most indie singer-songwriter, heart-on-sleeve stuff. I appreciate the lo-fi country-adjacent sound. If you like it, cool. If you want something sounding like a major-label release with lots of production, this isn't for you.
This album really moved me. I think it’s the sonic melancholy, but I really liked it. I know it was a throwaway line at the very beginning of the album but the idea of God once being young made me weirdly emotional.
Not my favourite Silver Jews album, but still a masterpiece of songwriting
2026.05.06
This was really clever but I understand why it didn’t appeal to everyone
not the silver jews album i would have picked but david berman's lyrics are hard to beat
I didn't fall for any specific track, but the overall indie rock/alt-country sound is very compelling and comforting to me.
Interesting Americana.
Beautiful front to back with guitar lines that broke me a few times. Amazing.
I liked this a lot. Very reminiscent of The National, great sad Dad music.
Solid
Highlights: - Time Will Break The World - Enjoyed the psychadelic guitars in this. - Horseleg Swasticas - something about the writing in this song made me tear up - Transylvania Blues - eeee psych jam I always get slightly excited when I see art rock with a low rating. I think my opinion on his voice is mixed, sometimes it really suits the song, sometimes it's out of place and dull. Maybe that's the point, I ultimately didn't mind it tho, sad boy vocals :3 Some songs are amaaaazing some flew by me without me noticing Apparently I need to listen to their other album "The Natural Bridge" which isn't on the list I think this is a really really low 4 some songs were a miss but I generally enjoyed most of them
Lasted the exact length of my car journey to work which gives it an extra star, finished as I parked. I am a bit of a sucker for the sombre, poetic indie angle - National, Bon Iver etc. so this is up my street. "You're the only Ten I See" in Tennessee is exactly that cheesy poetry that I'd come up with in feeble attempts to write my own poetry whilst at university. Sometimes it hits well here rather than coming off awkward.
nice album. cool band
I'll admit that I only heard one other Silver Jews song over a year and a half ago, being "Random Rules" off of American Water. They were an indie rock band from Hoboken that employed elements of country music in their sound, with frontman and lyricist David Berman as the sole constant member until their breakup. I'm not sure why their fourth album, Bright Flight, was chosen for the books, but after giving it a listen, I feel this was a hauntingly depressing record. Much like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen before him, David Berman was more of a poet than a singer, drawing upon his dim observations of life with lyrical prose and dry wit over a warm country-rock tone. His musings on themes such as death, claustrophobia, and hesitation were presented with such a longing manner, as if staring out into the horizon with all the years of wisdom weighing upon him, only broken up by the instrumental "Transylvania Blues", the upbeat "Let's Not and Say We Did", and the cover of George Strait's "Friday Night Fever". Granted, I did cringe at some corny dad jokes David threw in here and there, such as the hook on "Tennessee" or the "water doesn't give a damn" line that closed "Horseleg Swatstikas". Also, I did not consider him a gripping singer compared to his contemporary Bill Callahan, or even compared to his then-wife Cassie on a few tracks like "Slow Education" and "Tennessee". Yet, I cannot deny there was something genuinely potent in his restrained delivery, probably most notable in how he described the lead-up to his marriage on "I Remember Me", as well as the ode to a fallen friend on "Death of an Heir of Sorrows". Overall, I consider Bright Flight to be a solid poetic record. Of course, as I mentioned, Silver Jews broke up, and David Berman later hung himself back in 2019. All's to say that it feels like there was more going on under the surface with David, as he must have endured so much pain for his art. Rest in peace.
Très calme et très sympa, chaque musique était dans son style tout en ayant un fond lié et sans traîner dans la longueur Je ne réecouterai probablement pas étant donné que 'No Other' de Gene Clark va plus loin dans ce style mais j'ai passé un bon moment !
Interesting, never heard of this band.
His voice and the irony. Instantly loveable.
Excellent record
I was skeptical at first but found myself rather liking this. I often enjoy lo-fi alt-country, but I admit I'm not sure what makes this special enough to be on the list - I'd never even heard of the band before.
Hipster cat nip. All the right parts in all the right places for a good brooding rock album.
Album #61, Silver Jews, Bright Flight, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’ve been intentionally avoiding looking at the full list to keep things surprising, so this was a big surprise. I was delighted, but couldn’t believe that there were two Silver Jews albums included. Then I checked and realised American Water isn’t on the list, which is honestly a travesty. If you’re going to include a Silver Jews album, that’s the one. It’s easily in contention for best album of the 90s. That aside, Bright Flight might not be his best album, but it could be my personal favourite. I consider David Berman one of the great American songwriters. No one does sardonic quite like him. He can make you laugh and make you cry with ease. This is his most depressing record. It's the sound of a man who is about ready to pack it all in for good. The album is very much a vehicle for his lyrics, though there is one cracking instrumental track too. The instrumentation is soft, understated country throughout, and it’s beautifully done. There are also these little jerking chord changes that I love, like the shift before “I can dance real good” on Room Games and Diamond Rain. It’s a dark album, but it’s full of character. It never feels overly self-pitying or completely dour. There’s always humour in how it approaches the heavy theme of death. It’s probably not for everyone, but if the 1001 album generator is your first exposure to Silver Jews and it doesn’t click, I’d strongly recommend listening to American Water. It’s a much better entry point and one of my all-time favourite albums.
It's 2001. 2 months after the World Trade Center attacks, the world is still confused, angry, and in shock. New stories come out everyday of the victims of the attack. You sit in a dimly lit coffee shop trying to process everything that has happened, and this album comes on ... "I remember her and I remember him I remember them and I remember then.. I'm just rememberin' I'm just rememberin'"
Ik heb een gigantisch zwak voor David Berman (RIP). Niet het beste Silver Jews album overigens, maar nog steeds erg lekker.
Begrijp niet wat deze specifieke plaat in de lijst doet. American Water en The Natural Bridge zijn right there... Dat gezegd hebbende, David Berman heeft geen bagger gemaakt in zijn (te korte) carriere.
They were known as Silver Jews, and the opening lyric was about God when he was young. I knew I was in for an obscure experience. You're not going to hear singing like Aretha Franklin, or have songwriting akin to Joni Mitchell, but it's good Folk music(more in a Rock way, not Country way). Sorta reminds me of the "Juno" soundtrack. I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Favorite Track: "I Remember Me".
I was alternately mad this seemed so derivative and mad I was kinda into it. Then learned Will Oldham used to be in the group (but not on this album), which probably explains my rating.
I like this, and whether it’s a low 4 or a high 3 is a coin flip. It is my new favorite album from a band where Al Franken is apparently the lead singer. Slow Education especially good.
What a beautiful album. Glad it came today. Reading about it before, I was worried that it would sound like a super depressing indie record, but it has many more faces to it. The songwriting is almost always on a very high level, and I loved the semi-country approach of the production. The guitar work especially was great. Even the vocals that could be a bit rough around the edge sometimes worked really well, and even had a Lou Reed spark to them (which is pretty rare). I want to highlight tracks 1, 2, definitely 5, and the closing 8, 9 10. All beautiful songs. Gonna come back to it. It's a very deserving 4.
Here starts a run of 10+ albums I neglected to review or rate from the last several weeks, which portends doom with this crap memory of mine for details - especially on first listens which is what all of these were. I do remember what I would rate them though. Expecting a Jewish parody band from the name, I was pleasantly surprised by the quite nice, lo-fi indie rock with intriguing lyrics.
I’m a sucker for kinda depressing singers who can only sorta hold a tune.
Sadboy music that hit like a drug after a long day at work
Another album that I should probably spend more time with to enjoy more. I quite enjoyed it again. Bits reminded me of very early Springsteen – Mary Queen of Arkansas/Lost in the Flood type of thing. And I enjoyed the country vibes as well. Probably a 3 plus, but I'll give it a four on promise. I think I'll keep this downloaded to listen to at least once more.
This wasn't a particularly "good" album, but I still liked it.
Der er nogle virkelig gode Lo-Fi indie numre. Og så er der noget alt-country. Jeg springer countryen over fremover, men genbesøger gerne enkelte numre på pladen.
I could listen to this all day everyday, it's just extremely in the mould of 90% of what I listen to. Lo-fi, sad indie with a singer that isn't, on the face of it, very good. Lovely stuff. It's all Wilko, Pavement and even Neutral Milk Hotel adjacent. I'm not quite giving it the big five, because it's also a little unmemorable in a strange way, but it's very nice indeed.
Not the first SJ album I would have tought of for this book, but hey, all SJ is good SJ so I'm fine with that
I love the cozy and heartfelt vibe of Silver Jews, but the best part is in the unique poetry found in the lyrics. The more I listen to Silver Jews, the more I'm a fan!
There's something about Silver Jews' sound that just gets to me. It takes forever to hit, but it's that kind of sound that sticks in my head for the next few days at the end of an album. It's fascinating to see how the singer put his struggles into the album. His singing reminds me a lot of Lil Ugly Mane's later works. It's weird to think that the guy who made this is dead, makes it feel like reading a suicide note. Maybe it was that,I feel the same way about Timothy Very, the drummer for Manchester Orchestra, who died yesterday. He didn't kill himself or anything, there isn't even a confirmed cause yet, it just feels the same way. I don't even really like that band, but reading the news that the drummer died really got to me, and this album reminded me of it. Death always affects the way I listen to music. I hope anyone here who feels any kind of suicidal thought finds a way out of it and feels better. Maybe they could even write an album about it. Life is too short to cut it even shorter. I'm gonna shut up before I make myself cry.
RIP David Berman
Yay
Sounds a lot like Luna/Dean Wareham. I assume Luna isn’t on this list. I wonder why Silver Jews gets the nod instead. I suppose they’re interchangeable, just funny I hadn’t heard of this band before. Now that I’ve listened to more of the album, it’s a little more country than Luna. Still comes out of the same American lo-fi indie tradition though, and very similiar.
Very nice dynamics (from song to song) and textures. I don't love his voice or lyrics but I get the allure. Every song pretty enjoyable Highlights: "I Remember Me", "Friday Night Fever"
I personally don’t get the hate of this album. Sure, the voice can get a little monotonous at times, but the music is beautiful and the vibes are pleasant. I enjoyed this myself.
Never heard of this band, so I had a quick read - some ppl don't like David Berman's voice? Start listening - I don't mind his voice, I wouldn't say Tom Waits, I think of Lou Reed and maybe Bob Dylan? "I know there's a tune, but I couldn't be arsed singing it" - maybe those singers want to be more like spoken? Anyway the guitar lines are often really nice (thumbs up for that) - and the lyrics are cool (interesting and not just weird). So it's good. Not rushing to hear the rest of discography. 7/10
I like it! Feels like it should be in the movie Juno. Some folksy songs, some indie songs, like Neutral Milk Hotel
Interesting
God, I'm about 700 albums deep and just had the revelation that an album doesn't have to be good in order to be good. This sounds like your most endearing uncle sheepishly hopping on the karaoke, or showcasing his garage-rock project that he's undyingly passionate about but is, objectively, not good. I love it. It's an earnest reminder that an artist is an artist, whether you or I like it or not. Bravo 👏
Not every musical idea worked, but nonetheless a good record.
I liked it! A bit too honky tonk at times (Tennessee did my head in a bit), but overall good - I'd listen again.
Top Review - "Mumble Sad bastard music"... My favorite! Right up my alley. I feel like this would stand up well to multiple listens to go deeper into the lyrics. Not quite my favorite Silver Jews album, probably "American Water", but still really good. 4.5 stars, probably rounded down to 4 because even though I love this I would consider it a minor album, not essential listening.
Not sure why this one was included over American Water. This one is still really good. The lyrics are the standout here. Silver Jews is a lot like country tinged Pavement. Favorite songs were Room Games And Diamond Rain, I Remember Me, Horseleg Swastikas, and Let’s Not And Say We Did.
I liked this! Might come back to this artist in the future.
I really appreciated the songwriting on this album. They found a balance between tongue and cheek and honest in a way that I found really compelling. His voice can take a little bit to appreciate, but I think by the end actually really plays into the whole vibe of this album.
I've been a fan of the Silver Jews for a while now. They've got a great alt-country/indie rock vibe, but I feel like I need to be in the right mood to listen to their music. This album is a bit on the dark and depressing side, which doesn't always make for the best listening experience.
Big fan of David Berman and I’m a bit surprised that this is the album on this list ahead of American Water or Natural Bridge but still very happy to seem them included.
Spent a lot of time trying to get into the Silver Jews since hearing them referenced in one of my fav albums, LVL UP’s Hoodwink’d, and some of it bumps against me but the strong moments are strong. Don’t like this as much as American Water but I’ll go 4 still
David Berman was a pretty great songwriter, huh?
Lyrics as interesting as you will hear anywhere. Ever. I love this man (Berman) The music a perfect low-key accompaniment to the lyrics. The alt-country hovering outside should be asked in for a beer and a shoot-the-shit session to all hours. You'll be best friends forever, maybe even move to Nashville.
This was new to me. All the way through I kept thinking oh it sounds like X or Y or Z. It seemed to sound like a lot of things but all things I really like so that was a positive. I was quite swayed by this and listened to it a second time just approve to myself that it was a quirky and fun ride. It was.
I'm somewhere between a 3-4 on this, and that alone is a surprise. The low energy not quite singing nature of this group could have sent me sideways, but something about the lyrical whimsy kept me afloat and I rather enjoyed it. One of those rare albums where I was surprised and a little sad when it was over. So I guess that merits a 4!
The music is really nice. The vocals can be grating at some points. It's not really enough to ruin my enjoyment. Pretty solid album.
Cool indie album. Very lo-fi and all I’d want out of this kind of album. Talked vocals, funny topics, simple instrumentals. Definitely enjoyed.
This was my first introduction to Silver Jews and I liked it a lot. They’re one of those bands I’ve been aware of for some time but hadn’t taken a dive into their music. I’m looking forward to exploring more.
I can see how this would not be for everyone but I actually think this is pretty damn good. I'm inclined to be partial to lyric-forward artists that may not be classically great singers and this fits the bill. Solid opening, and track two is just a great love song (a little happier than I Remember Me which is a love song too but tragic). Some other great one liners interspersed ("tanning beds explode with rich women inside"??!!) Instrumentally there isn't anything really groundbreaking here but pleasant sort of Wilco-ish country rock abounds, although I do dig the vibe of Transylvania Blues with the metal riffing at the end. Great closer - some of these lines hit even more knowing about David Berman's personal struggles and eventual death.
Weird that this is the Silver Jews album that makes this list, because there are other, probably better options! Which isn't to say this is bad, of course - David Berman's blueprint for a certain brand of 2000s indie shit was, unlike many blueprints on this list, better than its progeny. I have a theory about quality that is basically, with time, the reputation for best things goes to things that do the simple stuff perfectly, get everything right and nothing wrong, so when their reputation precedes them you go, "this is it?" That's kind of what this is. Wonderful lyricist, simple music that's not so stripped down as to be distracting, nor baroque enough to misstep. A voice that, as others have mentioned, mirrors Malkmus but works better with the music here than I find it does with Pavement. Simply good shit here.
I never really got into Silver Jews, but I need to.
This was short and sweet, two thumbs up
Have not listen to any of their stuff. Really enjoyed this. Will listen again and look forward to hearing more from them.
Rather fun album from a chronically dour person.
4. Chill, genuine.
I’m at a 3.5 that I’ll bump up to a 4; took a bit to get there, and it only really solidified it by the last track. I put a decent amount of stake in lyrics, but my approach to lyricism is less about understanding the words in full, and more so capturing a general picture to pull from. I think the best albums can create great imagery with very few words, and as long as the picture itself can be painted in a vivid way where the *intent* of the track falls into place, it’s an enriching experience. I had absolutely no idea what the fuck the first 3 tracks on this album were trying to paint. They were painting little bit of pictures with their individual lines, sure, but I was never able to grasp a full picture out of them. Even on a re-listen after enjoying the back half of the album far more, I only got super broad strokes of intent that left those tracks less fruitful to my brain. I’m decently sure “Slow Education” is about a sort of drab approach to life & nothing has really ever improved after the Biblical interpretation of creation, but it’s not supplemented by anything to paint the full picture. “Room Games and Diamond Rain” is definitely a love track, but I never really got half the lines. “Time Will Break the World” creates a great image of a mansion in the wintertime, but I was never able to capture the intent of the track – the rich people need to fix climate change, maybe? “I Remember Me” finally sets itself straight, with some level of clear, straightforward imagery about a love ruined by a coma, and it’s a great track that starts to set up the back half of the album, but not before the confusing “Horseleg Swastikas”. I have no idea what the fuck that one’s about; again, it creates a decent enough picture, but the intent of the track is lost on me – is it just about striving for no ambition, or something? After that, “Transylvania Blues” just kinda kills as an instrumental. “Let’s Not and Say We Did” is a great example of painting a picture entirely on the vibes alone; I wasn’t album to get the lines at all, but the up-tempo nature to everything created a sort of childlike vibe to it that spelled out the intent of the track really well, and I just enjoyed it. “Tennessee” is very R.E.M. / Sufjan Stevens-esque, and it really is just a nice cheesy love letter to the state & the love he wants to find in moving there. “Friday Night Fever” is a George Strait cover, and it’s just a nice straight country track. I’m surprised George Strait doesn’t have any albums on the list, but I guess he’s more of a singles guy. “Death of an Heir of Sorrows” is a lovely tribute track to a friend that recently died, and just the title alone evokes something – I couldn’t really figure out what, but it clicked very well, and his sadness is palpable. It’s the capper to a nice 5-track stretch that elevates this album up from a 3.5 to a 4 for me. Oh, right, his vocals & the instrumentals and all that – I think David Berman (rest in peace) does a fine enough job, if a little plain at times. He’s not trying to be a gifted singer, but he has just enough of a melodic tone in his more half-talking style that it works. It’s earnest, at least, and you can tell he’s trying, even if other singers might’ve been able to pull a bit more emotion out of the lines. Instrumentally, I did like this; it feels more like indie rock with country instrumentation, as opposed to “country music” as one might traditionally define it, but I think it’s good all the same. I think once the lyrics get to their more straightforward point in the back half of the album, the instrumentation feels more potent at capturing the mood, which helps a lot. Overall then, with the first 3 tracks & “Horseleg Swastikas” being unable to paint a strong picture for me, but the other 6 painting pretty good ones, I think I’m justified in bumping this up from a 3.5 to a 4. I understand the 2.68 rating on the site, as I felt tempted to sort of give up on the album once 4 of the first 5 tracks weren’t clicking for me (I’d give those 4 tracks a 3, as a totally competent if bland set of tracks), but “I Remember Me” & the back half really pulls this thing up nicely. I do think I want to hear more of these guys; David Berman seems like a talented songwriter. I’m glad it’s on the list; others can debate if it really needs to be an album you hear before you die (it’s probably not, I dunno), but I enjoyed it. It’s a 3.5 that I’ll bump up to a 4.
Surprised I liked it, what with all the jangly twang.
Great album but my favorite of David Berman is purple mountains
that's interesting, a new found
I’m a sucker for anything with those guitar
A lovely surprise. Modern Velvet Underground/Lou Reed energy.
Love the vibe here. Reminded me of bill callahan
I just had a long discussion with a good friend about how I need to check out Silver Jews again after they've been in my periphery for years. I had heard that his voice is nothing to write home about, but I really like it. It's sort of: Daniel Johnston, Jeff Mangum, and... this is a bad reference, but my good friend David Dinah Greenberg. I know if you're reading this you most likely haven't heard of David Dinah Greenberg but trust me he sounds just like him. The lyrics of "Room Games and Diamond Rain" particularly feel like a Daniel Johnston track: "I'm gonna love you for a hundred years Through suffering and celebration, dear 'Cause only you can make my lies come true You can make lies real And you can make me feel Like drinking wine in the shade all afternoon" I'm not entirely sure why, but it has an approachable off-kilter quality to it. This is also an amazing lyric from "Tennessee" "Her doorbell plays a bar of Stephen Foster Her sister never left and look what it cost her We're gonna live in Nashville and I'll make a career Out of writing sad songs and gettin' paid by the tear" I love them. Really enjoyable listen. I will check out more!
Not quite as good as American water but still very strong overall
Good
Gotta be honest, first couple of tracks I was not liking this whatsoever, the vocals weren’t doing it for me at all. Then by Horseleg Swastikas it was starting to click a bit and when it was all said and done I had completely flipped and was thoroughly enjoying the album. Top Track - Let’s Not And Say We Did
I had to listen to this one twice as I just wasn't sure what to make of it first time through. I think i get it now, the vocals at first wasn't doing it for me but its an acquired thing like listening to Dylan or something. Going between sad and positive was kinda nice I guess. Overall was good and will try out some other albums
7/10 Decent
Even though I've been a Pavement superfan for over 30 years, I never really got into the Silver Jews. I'm glad this popped up. It scratches that '90s yelly indie rock itch.
4.2
A sad footnote in a wonderful band with a charismatic leader that could only take so much.
Good album. Twangy and a bit jangly. I do somewhat recall this album coming out.
I've been familiar with David Berman's (Rest in peace) work for a while. Mostly songs from the Silver Jews like How to Rent a Room or his final project Purple Mountains, and generally it's all been fantastic. I will say, sometimes with Silver Jews being indie alt-country/rock, it does sometimes lose me when its a bit too cowpoke/country, but overall this is a great record with Horseleg Swastikas and Transylvania Blues being the standouts as their more western sounding vs country, along with being fuller sounding.
You don't have to like this, but I like this.
Interesting…
This started well but then went a bit all over the place. Still I'm tempted to be generous and give it a low 4. One I probably will listen to again.
At, first, I didn’t think the style would appeal to me, but Time Will Break the World changed that
I quite liked this! I understand completely why someone wouldn’t like this.
This sounds like something that could have come out in the late 80s/early 90s, around the era of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo, with a strong cow punk flair riding through it. I was surprised they were a Hoboken band and not from the south west somewhere, but I guess that Cali Pavement component brought all that cowpoke feel with them. Also surprised they were around when I lived in Hoboken, but I don't recall seeing them. Maybe I was at a Maxwell's show of theirs and didn't realize it? Maybe we sat next to each other at La Isla's sandwich counter?
This seems both slacker and more serious than Pavement, with the rich hipster ennui at times approaching true and resonant sadness, or pathos. It certainly won’t cheer anyone up but the cool kid-imagistic verse might elicit some new views on our grim world. Opening line is just a killer. The titles alone are wonderfully poetic. ”Time Will Break the World” and “Death of an Heir of Sorrows.” And there’s just enough variety to break from Berman’s annoying-adjacent vocal style (probably intentional). The singlalong works well. “I Remember Me” and “Tennessee” are countryfied highlights. One has a slight preference for American Water (which certainly belongs on this list though it's in much the same mode as this) because it offers more distinctive and varied guitar stylings and includes the rosetta stone line re Berman's vocals ("All my favorite singers/Couldn't sing"). Sad to think what might have been but DB might have wanted it that way.
I like me a bit of lo-fi and this is lovely. Musically really good, and the vocals are going to be love it or hate it, but I love the gritty tone and overall character. Fits really well. The lyrics paint atmospheric, film-like pictures in my head. Will listen again, and a pleasant discovery on this list.
I liked this a lot more than I expected from the first song Did realizes this was the same band leader as pavement, makes sense tho
Surprising and excellent Americana entry on this list
Brilliant lo fi album. Nonsensical lyrics that still hit to the core. Incredible album.
No idea why this is so polarising. It's not the most innovative thing on the planet but it does what it sets out to do very well. David Berman's voice is a bit unusual to begin with but he fits the music really well. It helps build the melancholy tone without coming across as overly mopey or performative. There's a meandering feel to the music but Bergman's delivery helps bring a compelling sense of urgency at the same time I like the subtle country elements like the slide and twangy guitars. The organs also help add an additional dimension Highlights: Slow Education, Friday Night Fever, Transylvania Blues
Very Pavement-adjacent, but with some deeper themes. Very nice.
Surprisingly lush production for the Silver Jews. Berman still maintains his charm and ease I felt the album peters out a bit but still wonderful turns of phrase and beautifully recorded.
My, this one has really confused me. I really did not like it on first listen, however it sounded so much better on the earphones and I ended up listening 3 times. There is something about it although none of the songs are memorable and his voice is not great. I’m not sure what to make of this one at all. Want to give it 3.5 but of course that’s not a thing
My introduction to David Berman was actually Purple Mountains, which had been one of my favorite albums of 2019. Then after his death, I never listened to it again. And I never really got around to Silver Jews after that, either. I don't know why I never did, because I'm a sucker for alt-country like this! Love that steel guitar, honestly.
I have a particular soft spot for Silver Jews. David Berman was as much a poet as lyricist. This is perhaps his darkest work, deep in drug addiction and not far removed from his 2003 suicide attempt. This is not an album for everyone, and only befitting to a certain mood or the right headspace. But it's beautiful, tragic, honest, and brilliant.
"Let’s Not and Say We Did" was my favorite, but every track held my attention and made me smile. I’m normally not tolerant of the off-key, minimal-range male vocal, but it works in this context. Fly me to Nashville, pour me a PBR, and let’s find a dive bar with a cover band playing “Tennessee.”
A lot of thee songs really hit me. I also appreciated the variety in the music despite his unique droning voice.
Excellent, I really enjoyed once I’d acclimatised myself to the vocals this album sung and resonated deeply within me.
Me gusta mucho escuchar discos de artistas de los que no he oído hablar nunca y que me sorprendan de esta manera.
Quite nice after all
This one really brought me back to my college radio days. Solid album.
First listen
Time Will Break the World felt like they were joking us and I almost quit but i I’m glad I didn’t because it turned out okay. Transylvania Blues especially was worth hearing.
Another album I had never listened to in full.
Nije ko American Water ali je svejedno super
I’m not quite sure why I haven’t listened to this band before. The vocals I immediately recognised from Purple Mountains (David Berman). And interestingly Stephen Malkmus (Pavement) is a member. I now want to hear their other albums. Glib, low fi 4/5
this was good!! fits right into that mellow, deepish male singer-songwriter vibe that i’ve only really come to know from this list
I didn’t listen to this but from the few songs I heard, it reminds me Collin :)
Honestly I can never decide if I like Silver Jews or not… I’m constantly going back & forth on it. But this album is pretty solid. A lot of the songs stood out for me — I think I liked “room games & diamond rain” and “death of an heir of sorrows” the most. From Horselegs Swastikas: “I wanna be like water if I can, ‘cause water doesn’t give a damn.”
i'll listen again
Not a huge fan, but shalom people
I've never even heard of Silver Jews but I really enjoyed this.
Never heard this one before. It's pretty good.
Very nice; witty, melodic, and mellow. Good accompaniment for working. I listed to several of Berman's albums, then read his Wikipedia page and was dismayed to learn of his death. RIP.
Good stuffff
Pretty nice music, low 4/5
Writing sad songs Getting paid by the tear Let's get married and go to Tennessee You're the only ten I see Dull and grey, like I like my music
Brilliant. I missed the Silver Jews but I did not miss Purple Mountains, and what a record that is. Awfully tragic situation. But what a way with words Burman has. The music is chill as fuck and hangs loosely around his songs entirely suitably, like a well worn, comfortable jacket. I hear pre-echos of riffs that turn up again 2 decades later in Room. Obviously Pavement-adjacent but feels extremely distinct from that. Lovely. I need to engage with more of it.
Fun and creative indie album that was varied enough to hold my interest
Silver jews never really got the attention they deserve, every album is great. Such a shame David Berman is no longer with us. R.I.P. DCB
A pretty good album, expected a different sound, but what I got was a nice blend of alt-country and indie. I'm not a huge fan of indie music in general, but I am of some quality country. So this one leaned more towards the country side for me. The album is pretty light on the sonic side. There are clean and precise drum, piano and guitar sounds, with similar stuff happening on the vocal side. The vocals are well articulated and easy going. The country style and feel is well represented on this album. Everything is there, the nice easy melodies, clear vocals, down to earth struggles and real life lyrical themes. Reminded me of Johnny Cash on more than one occasion, which says a lot. I was between 3 and 4, will give it a 4 since it was a really fun and light listen.
3.75
Some of these songs are pretty good, but some of these songs are just so verbose. At various points throughout the runtime it feels like they’re trying to be confusing on purpose. In the hopes of being seen as sophisticated? It just comes off as annoying. I liked most of it, though. Solid enough. 4/5
To be completely reductive for the uninitiated, this is like a country Elliot Smith. Brilliant lyrics, clever songwriting, borderline catchy. Slightly upbeat melodies partially obscure the darkness (and foreshadowing) of the words. Berman was a modern day poet, and this was one of his great achievements.
I enjoyed this for the smart lyrics and the quality of the songwriting.
country but punk? I like it!
I actually quite liked this but the songs are so similar that a full album felt like too much
I know it's mumbly miserable stuff... but I really enjoyed this. I don't think it's "great" but I'm more likely to listen to this again than many of the other things on this list.
pretty good stuff, excited to check out their other albums
it grew on me
I guess it was a good thing that I procrastinated on this one a bit, especially when I'm feeling pretty down. It scratches that specific depressive itch really well, especially in it's first half where most of the songs are just beautifully made and written (if sad as they come). The later half that goes more country with it I'm less interested in but it's still enjoyable. I think it will grow on me
sad love songs by a guy who could barely sing. its compelling and country and funny and wry. its a good love album when youve got the friday fever.
Time Will Break The World is more spoken word than music, which is always a pet peeve. Death of an Heir of Sorrows is a really poignant song. This is probably worth a second effort.
Kom skemmtilega á óvart.
Þetta er það sem ég elska í plötuleiknum, uppgötva eitthvað nýtt. Aldrei hlustað á Silver Jews, samt voru Malkmus og Bob úr Pavement upphaflega í henni. Frábært indírokk, rúllar mjög þæglega. Mjög góð vinnutónlist.
Odd and interesting
4/5. At first, I thought this was going to be a pretentious album and although there is that energy there, the lyrics and vocals imply intense sadness. There is a twinge of hope but more realistic than optimistic. This album is full of emotion and the songs are well written. I would not want to listen to this on a bad night, challenges those thoughts. It's simple melodies and although not great singing, I don't really think that's the point. I enjoyed the listening experience. Best Song: I Remember Me, Tennessee, Slow Education
Quite the surprise. I’m not a big fan of county, but I love alternative, so this really hit a sweet spot for me. I noticed that many reviewers called it boring, and I just don’t get it. Can you really make a comment like that if you’ve been on a string of electronica I wonder?
First time hearing the band, having moved from indie in the mid 90’s. The 1st 30 seconds I thought oh no, but by the end of the track hooked. Poetic, low-fi, country tinged.
Rather liked it. Made me poke around in their discography, so there's that. Is it something I needed or that I feel is an important bit in music's (recent) history? No. A strong 4.
"Bright Flight" is the fourth album by American indie rock band Silver Jews. Silver Jews are led by vocalist and guitarist David Berman. Other bandmembers included Berman's wife Cassie Berman (vocals, bass), William Tyler (guitar, vocals), Mike Fellows (bass), Tim Barnes (drums, percussion), Paul Niedhaus (pedal steel guitar) and Tony Crow (piano, organ, synthesizers, vocals). The album was recorded in Nashville as the Bermans had just moved there from Kentucky. Piano keys and David Berman's low voice opens "Slow Education." Berman's voice is half-singing and half-talking. The pedal steel guitar in this song and many of the songs on the album give an alt-country vibe. Nice backing vocals by Cassie. I think he's talking about the imperfection of human nature. Things get darker with the guitar and Berman's voice and lyrics in "Time Will Break the World." This feels like Southern gothic. Berman has apocalyptic visions including heinous acts by his Father. "I Remember Me" starts out sparse with a strumming guitar and soft beat. A young love is born, lost during a coma and then remembered. The music follows the lyrics and picks up when he remembers. "Tennessee" is an autobiographical song as David gets his girl, Cassie, leaves Kentucky and moves to Nashville. Light acoustic guitar and Cassie contributes as co-lead vocalists with David. The album ends on a down note with "Death of an Heir of Sorrows." Softer music. David's deadpan voice tells the story of the death of his friend and writer Robert Bingham. The overriding musical style on the album was alt-country with the steel pedal and acoustic guitars; no surprise given the Bermans had just moved to Nashville. The music combined with lyrics and vocals was also very Southern gothic. Berman's lyrics are poetic with images of Americana and also very personal hinting at drug addiction and depression. Berman would attempt suicide a few years after this album. Every Silver Jews' album is worth a listen and this is a very good one.
Country, folksy, relaxing. Recommended them to dad
The second half of this album is much more interesting than the first half. Much better than I expected
first half pretty comfy, second half not quite as potent
Love the lo-fi!
I remember when David Berman passed away, I had never heard of Silver Jews. I honestly didn't take any time to listen to his music, but this album may have changed that. It's jangly, has some alt-country leanings, but if, say, Leonard Cohen did alt-country. There's a profound sadness through this that I can't help but connect to. It drags a bit (specifically, the singing gets a little tiring), and I'd argue "Tennessee" is way too saccharine, but I'd still call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Room Games and Diamond Rain", "Friday Night Fever"
Another band that I've always meant to get more into. This was really good. Just country enough to give that vibe but without treading into the insufferable aspects for me. His lyrics are really solid as well.
Enjoyable
Weird I liked it 4 ⭐️
Probably one of the laziest / quirkiest sounding singers I have heard in a while. He's got a certain drawl and cadence that makes it seem as if he's at least 6 beers deep through the whole album. For some reason I can't help but picture him as Brett Gelman in my mind... This was some low-key enjoyable indie rock that doesn't seem to take itself too seriously. I went back for another listen this morning -- similar impression that the voice is campy and certainly not going to be everyone's cup of tea. Otherwise, the arrangements are nice and the lyrics, while often tongue in cheek, were enjoyable. I'd say for me this is a low 4 that probably won't get a ton of replay, but I did enjoy it.
I don't know if I was supposed to like this or not but I do. I really like the cadence of the music n the tune n the instruments.
interesting country album, had a stripped down Johnny Cash sound. Overall enjoyed it.
Soyons honnêtes, pendant des années, pour moi et pour pas mal de snobs de ma génération, Silver Jews, c'était "le projet annexe du mec de Pavement". On écoutait pour les guitares dégingandées de Stephen Malkmus, pour retrouver un peu de cette magie slacker qui nous avait tant marqués dans les années 90. David Berman, le cerveau et la voix du groupe, était ce poète un peu dépressif qui gravitait autour, une sorte de génie maudit dans l'ombre du guitar-hero nonchalant. Et puis, il y a eu "Bright Flight", l'album de l'émancipation, l'album sans Malkmus, le moment de vérité. Et quelle vérité ! Dès les premières mesures, on comprend que la donne a changé. Fini, le son vaguement folk-rock bordélique qui pouvait rappeler les cousins de Stockton. Ici, on est en plein territoire country, mais attention, pas la country clinquante de Nashville avec les chapeaux à paillettes et les santiags immaculées. Non, on parle ici d'une country lo-fi, traînante, enregistrée avec les moyens du bord et une sincérité qui vous file des frissons. La grande star de l'album, celle qui enrobe presque chaque titre d'un voile de mélancolie sirupeuse, c'est la pedal steel. Cet instrument, c'est la bande-son officielle des coeurs brisés et des fonds de bouteilles. Elle pleure, elle gémit, elle enveloppe la voix caverneuse et faussement détachée de Berman d'une chaleur réconfortante et vénéneuse à la fois. Le disque s'ouvre, et on est immédiatement dans le bain. C'est lent, c'est lourd, c'est le son d'un dimanche après-midi qui n'en finit pas. C'est l'Amérique des petites villes, des motels anonymes et des espoirs déçus. Une nonchalance qui n'est pas feinte, qui suinte la lassitude et une forme de sagesse étrange. On est dans la plus pure tradition du rock underground américain de ces dernières années, celui qui n'a pas peur des silences, des notes qui traînent, et qui préfère l'émotion brute à la virtuosité technique. Mais le véritable coeur de Silver Jews, ce qui en fait un groupe absolument essentiel, c'est David Berman. Ce type était un putain de poète, sa voix, grave, parfois à la limite de la justesse, n'est pas celle d'un chanteur, mais celle d'un conteur. Il ne chante pas, il vous parle à l'oreille. Et ce qu'il raconte... C'est là que la magie opère. "Bright Flight" est une collection de chansons qui sont à la fois poignantes, spirituelles et, paradoxalement, incroyablement rassurantes. Berman était un maître des mots, ses paroles sont d'une intelligence folle, naviguant avec une aisance déconcertante entre des jeux de mots complètement stupides qui vous arrachent un sourire ("Horse-mounted police are friends of the police") et des images d'une beauté et d'une précision évocatrice à vous fendre l'âme. Il y a une dimension spirituelle, une quête de sens dans ce marasme ambiant, mais sans jamais tomber dans le prêchi-prêcha. C'est une spiritualité de comptoir, une théologie de barman. On y parle de chevaux, de démons, de solitude, et de la difficulté d'être un homme bon dans un monde qui s'en fout. Et au milieu de ce blues existentiel, il y a toujours une lueur d'espoir, une phrase, une mélodie qui vous dit que, malgré tout, ça vaut le coup. Alors, pourquoi seulement 4/5 ? Pourquoi ne pas crier au chef-d'oeuvre absolu ? Parce que, pour être tout à fait franc, il manque peut-être un ou deux hymnes, de ces morceaux qui vous attrapent et ne vous lâchent plus, comme on pouvait en trouver sur les monuments que sont "Starlite Walker" ou, surtout, "American Water". "Bright Flight" est plus homogène, plus subtil. C'est un album qui se dévoile sur la durée, qui demande un peu plus d'attention. Il n'a pas la fulgurance d'un "Random Rules", c'est moins un coup de poing qu'une longue étreinte un peu triste. Mais ne vous y trompez pas, c'est un disque à découvrir absolument. C'est un compagnon de route idéal pour les jours sans. C'est le son de la résilience, la preuve qu'on peut faire de la beauté avec de la douleur. C'est un très, très bon album de rock indépendant et aujourd'hui, avec la disparition tragique de David Berman, chaque note, chaque mot résonne avec une force encore plus poignante. On écoute "Bright Flight" et on se dit que ce type nous a laissé un trésor. Un trésor un peu cabossé, un peu poussiéreux, mais un trésor quand même. Et ça, ça mérite bien plus qu'un simple détour.
A near perfect balance of sincerity and tongue-in-cheek cleverness on this smelting pot of indie and Americana.
Nice album and fairly different from the 1001's standard fare. I liked that the music felt slow and deliberate. The singer strayed close to talk-singing but I think it worked in the context of the music, and I liked their mellow, bassy tone. It suited the music well. I liked Slow Education the best. I'd listen to this album again.
On first listen it just sounded like Pavement to me, then reading the bio I realised the influence. Second listen it did start to grow on me and faves would be Slow Education and I Remember Me. Certinaly worth another spin.
I only dipped my toes into the Silver Jews discography after enjoying the Purple Mountains project when that came along in 2019 - getting used to his vocal delivery takes an adjustment, so I imagine a lot of casual listeners hate this, but it definitely rewards the effort! I can see that more little details unlock with each listen so it's not hard to imagine this might rise to a 5 with more familiarity. Fave tracks - "Horseleg Swastikas" and "Tennessee" grabbed me hardest.
Great album, great band.
I very rarely listen to alt-country music. Country music and its sub-genres are really a bit of a gray area for me. The most familiar I’ve ever gotten with the genre is Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Which I actually love. Problem is I often compare everything in a similar vain that I hear to that album. Because it’s all I can compare things to. Silver Jews are a group I’ve heard mentions of occasionally. It’s very unfortunate their lead singer died. Especially after hearing this, since it’s clear he had something going here with his band mates. And it would have been interesting to see how he moved further with his other band, Purple Mountains. The thing that immediately struck me about the music is Berman’s lyricism. It gets spoken about so often for a reason. The strange, sometimes quirky, and melancholic word choice is something that used to be a staple of 60s and 70s artists like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. But I feel it is rarely found now. Lines like “Her doorbell plays a bar of Stephen Foster” or “We’re gonna live in Nashville and I’ll make a career out of writing sad songs and getting paid by the tear” do take a certain level of genius to write. Those are both apart of the same verse on Tennessee. For such a lo-fi love song, saying “Come to Tennessee, 'cause you’re the only ten I see” is beautifully lighthearted. The common criticism I saw floating around was that this is too boring and lifeless. Hilariously, I almost don’t disagree with that sentiment. I understand where people get it from. Berman’s delivery is monotone and immobile. Beyond face value, there isn’t much to get from his vocals. And the same could also be said about the music itself. It’s not the most sad or depressing thing I’ve ever heard. There are glimpses of sadness here and there. But it lies in this weird realm of being cheery and wry at the same time. It’s nothing too complex. But I don’t think this genre demands something like that. As much as I don’t want to continue making Wilco comparisons, this really does remind me of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. It’s bright on the surface, but potentially hiding something deeper that you only see bits and pieces of. If you are having a bad day, and just want to lay in bed, this album isn’t going to make your mood any worse. But it also surely isn’t going to motivate you to get out of bed and do anything that day. Rating: 7/10
A solid listen. An early indie rock album, with a splash of sad southern twang here and there
Unexpectedly great. I've been hearing about Dave Berman for years, and now it's clicking. Got this Lou Reed meets Townes Van Zandt/country-Stones vibe to it. It also makes me wish J. Mascis would make a country record (maybe he has idk). I can't stand his voice in Dinosaur Jr, but it's basically the same voice here and it just works. Not sure if I'm a new fan, but I'll probably come back to this at least once.
I had not heard of the Silver Jews before hearing this album. I have to say that the album was a pleasant suprise, I actually thought it it was going to be a country album when I heard the first song. Will be giving this a second listen
Definitely a different approach than many use to creating songs.
Hmmm? Surprised this is on here. I think I prefer the 98 album more. Some good moments, but his voice is kinda hard to get into
Not my cup of tea but got into it as it went on. I think they are really good at this style of sound
Silver Jews...great band. Bigger into their early stuff than this later era, but still an solid album. 4/5
I love this sort of lofi/indie sound. Always sounds like a bunch of friends having a good time making music. I’d never heard of these before and immediately thought ‘this has Terror Twilight Pavement vibes’ after the first few songs, so it wasnt a surprise to find Stephen Malkmus was a member of these. On a whole it reminds me of a cross between Pavement and Wilco, but never reaches the heights of either. It’s still good though, and I’m keen to dig a bit further with them (apparently the record before this is ace). I think this is a strong 3.5, but I’ll round it to 4 as I reckon I’ll be back and can see it being a grower
Thoroughly miserable but very enjoyable. Horseleg Swastikas stood out the most, I liked the water metaphor and some great lyrics. Transylvania Blues, and Room Games and Diamond Rain were also pretty great. Seemingly low production values positively contribute to the album. Effective use of loudness and quietness.
Fun indie
Dat Silver Jews is opgericht door twee Pavement leden verbaast me enerzijds (want ik wist het niet). Na de eerste 45 seconden van Bright Flight verbaast het me al niks meer, ook al spelen Malkmus en Nastanovich niet eens mee op dit album. Dat zanger David Berman zelfmoord heeft gepleegd verbaast me enerzijds (want ik wist het niet). Na het luisteren van enkele lyrics verbaast het me al niks meer. "Bright Flight poetically captures a drunken night spent contemplating suicide while staring at the Nashville skyline." schreef the Guardian. Als zangers dit soort lyrics maken, dan gaat het een keer echt mis. Helaas. Gelukkig is dit wel een toffe vondst. Een beetje Pavement-light. Dat heerlijke slacker-geluid, maar iets minder spannend en uniek als de band met Malkmus in the lead. Ga hier wel meer van checken. 8/10 Highlights Room Games and Diamond Rain
David Berman is an under rated songwriter.
Kind of a happy sad alt country vibe.
I dig this. It’s not 100% but I like the slacker rock country vibe.
Underrated
I was a big fan of American Water; but otherwise, I hadn't really followed the Silver Jews very closely. I'd listened to Bright Flight a few times over the years. But it's been a while. So I got to listen today with fresh ears. I like this a lot. It doesn't seem as deeply cutting as American Water. But David Berman remains equally hilarious and depressing, often at the same time. There was nobody quite like him. I'm gonna spin Bright Flight again.
“All my favorite singers couldn’t sing” lol. For real tho this is good but I feel like once I get used to the guys voice more I’ll think it’s great, if I decide to keep listening
I like American Water slightly more but still some outstanding songwriting here. Love the Berman, RIP
Bastante chulos. Indie rock suave, tranquilo. Un poco a Lemonheads, pero más tristones.
Liked it more than I expected. Somewhere in between Crash Test Dummies and Cake
Punk rock died when the first kid said "Punk's not dead, punk's not dead" You know Louisville is death, we've got to up and move Because the dead do not improve. Rip David Berman This was great - I've been meaning to listen to Silver Jews for ages. A beautiful, if weary, y'allternative album. Good storytelling, with a mix of dark poetics, honky tonk blues and clever punchlines, just the way I like my country. The backing band is Lambchop - who I also have been meaning to check out based on recs from friends.
The rythm is not as vivace as I'd like.
Silver Jews is another one of those bands that I never got into because the name. I just didn't know what it meant. I remember listening to a few songs here and there in the early 2000s, but I was really blown away by this record. Its that perfect mix of apathetic deadpan indie, but winking at country music the entire time. The lyrics are clever, the music is engaging. And I really like the monotone singing. It feels like its *trying* to be country but fully aware that it isn't. Its true outsider music. If I was to put Silver Jews into a headline it would say: "New York Jew Goes to Nashville Does Drugs." I super enjoyed this record.
Brooding country rock. Pretty good.
Maybe I was just in the right mood, or I'm a sucker for early 2000s indie records. There was something really charming about this album, and I want to remember to revisit it down the line.
Pretty average to be honest. Nothing extremely detestable or anything, it just wasn't the most memorable. However, I thought it had a really comforting sound which I liked. Kind of just calm and chill with some nice instrumental moments. Favourites were I Remember Me, Room Games and Diamond Rain, Transylvania Blues, Let's Not and Say We Did, and Friday Night Fever (!). Not a big fan of some of the really exposed singing on some tracks, but most of them were good enough that I didn't notice. 4, I really liked half the songs on the album but the rest I am indifferent to
When this album first started I wasn't feeling it but by the 4th song it really grew on me. By Tennessee I was a fan.
A very cool album, got them good vibes. Have saved, was a 3 on first listen but got better the second time. Real nice stuff
Ik ging uit van weer een middelmatige indie rock band, maar deze greep me eigenlijk wel snel. Iets in het stemgeluid vind ik wel intrigerend, waar ik juist bij anderen lees dat ze het saai vinden. Verder is dit muzikaal ook interessant moet ik zeggen. Lijkt me er eentje om later nog eens bij terug te komen.
I have never heard of these guys, but they were pretty good. I like it.
So I was completely wrong about who Silver Jews were. For some reason thought they were like White Lies or Interpol. Not alternative country. This was pretty good though. Might revisit.
Good indie
Vildt god! lidt Lou Reed agtig stemme. Aldrig hørt om dem før
Jeg er bare vild med hans stemme.. Burde nok lære bedre efter hvad han synger... RIP :(
I was first introduced to Silver Jews when they featured on Uncut's "New sounds of the Old West" back in the late 1990s. The track was 'How to rent a room', I liked what I heard and was particularly intrigued by the links to Stephen Malkmus and other Pavement alumni. David Berman's World weariness, surreal lyrics and sense of humour always remind me of Mark Linkous and Bill Callahan, firm favourites of mine. This is a great album of laid back Americana, beautifully played, with the standouts track being the gorgeous 'Horseleg Swastikas'. Well recommended!
David Berman was a more cynical, sorrowful Stephen Malkmus and he was great. Bright Flight is an excellent alt-country album. There’s so much humour, poetry and vivid storytelling by Berman on this album, it’s fantastic. He takes a break from the words on Transylvania Blues and it kicks ass. The duo and wordplay on Tennessee was fantastic. There was a ton of dark humour on this too, great album 4.5 stars
How have I not listened to this album before - it's really good.
Verrassend. Kende dit niet. Inmiddels ook wat gelezen over de frontman. Interessant verhaal. Doorspekt van drugs, schuldgevoel over zijn vader en maatschappijkritiek. Wil ik meer van horen! (Strakke drummer trouwens)
Listened to it three times (had some getting used to to do) but each time got better and better
This shit is awesome If you inject enough brood and atmosphere into country rock it turns good apparently
8.4/10 nice lil country sleazy stuff
Beautiful, inspiring and relaxing country/indie album. Must listen 🎧
Bastante chulos. Indie rock suave, tranquilo. Un poco a Lemonheads, pero más tristones.
Stoned album
Odd. Pleasant, enjoyable. No idea how it made this list - seems like something many many artists would be capable of making.
Loved the second half more than the first. The instrumental was the best track on here. Will likely check out some more from them.
some weird garage band that is barely famous but sounds like the standard pretentious indie band. Most likely, they're friends with the author anyway, really good, but I definitely need to be in the right mood for this album
an incredibly slow, comforting indie rock record with country influences. Guitars like this are so nice on the ears.
Rolig, lavmælt countrypåvirka indie. Bra
Went from hating it to really getting into it, with over half the songs now liked on Spotify. It's like 90s Pavement alt rock with some country styled vocals, and surprisingly it doesn't suck. It reminds me of wandering alone an American country road just before dawn, a bit melancholic but with moments of sweetness and humour. 26/10/23
Loved it actually. very feelgood 2000s american high school indie
Not for everyone, but to me it’s beautiful melancholy
I've got a special place in my heart for dirty indie country. Really enjoyed this one.
Lyrics are incredible
LOVE Silver Jews. This, however, is the worst I've heard, why was only this picked?
I like it but why is this not tagged country on this site
This is definitely the kind of thing you either like or don't. I happen to be a fan of lo-fi alt-country, so I like it. I'm not gonna take it over Songs: Ohia or anything, but that's a rather high standard imo. A nice listen that didn't overstay its welcome, dryly humorous with a slacker kinda vibe. Solid.
Immediately put me back in high school. The 2005 oozes from this record and the genuineness feels like a bygone era. 3/5
C'est bancal donc j'aime bien
instantly thought - “oh it’s like country Pavement!”… yeah turns out stephen malkmus was literally in the band for a bit. it’s certainly not amazing but i love sad boring indie. nvm the 2nd half is way less sad and boring. this is a lovely album.
deja vu
Love Silver Jews. Clever writing, relatable depression, and fun instrumentals (Shout out Transylvania Blues, great in stereo).
I actually really liked this one. Thought it was pretty good
Today I have yet another artists that I’ve never come across before. A quick Google seems to indicate they were integral to the American music scene, so maybe that’s why they never hit my radar in the UK. I’ll be reading about their singer, David Berman, on his Wikipedia as I listen to this because he seems to have been a very unwell person. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Horseleg Swastika, Friday Night Fever I started listening to this album earlier in the day while driving and it didn’t click. To give it a fair go, I started again with my big headphones on to give it a proper listen from front to back. It sounds a lot better with headphones and I can appreciate it more. The vocals are a little odd, in that he’s definitely not the strongest singer, but it kind of works for this music. I enjoyed this more than I expected after my first impression earlier today. His Wikipedia was really sad to read, so the pulling of the heartstrings might have biased me a little.
to quote John Hinckley Jr: "Fantastic songs! RIP David Berman."
Great roots poetry!
Enjoyed
And they say punk is dad….. but this is rock…. Indie rock…. Country? Idk but it ain’t bad
Townes Van Zandt eqsue indie rock.. What's not to like.
Nice med det rip
Never listened to Silver Jews before this and definitely plan to listen to more after this. I very much enjoyed this one - there are some fantastic lyrical turns throughout!
I was introduced to the Silver Jews through a friend and was curious mainly because of David Berman's association with Stephen Malkmus and they do sound a lot like Pavement. The band produced some pretty decent records and was surprised, Bright Flight made the list. I would have considered American Waters or Tanglewood Numbers before Flight, because I thought they were better records and there were no contributions from Malkmus on Bright Flight. The songs are okay, but at times Berman sounds like a drunken David Lowery from Camper Van Beethoven. Of course, the lyrics are great, but is it essential? No, but an important and interesting band.
Decent 7/10
Very melancholy, loved it
4.5
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"
Music for me.
Surprisingly good
Witty, heartbreaking songwriting
I wanted to hate it, but cant. This quirky messed up faux country bulldang whatever it is. Surely its satire and then the quirky smile creeps up. Country (mostly) sucks, but we are mocking several genres here, even Dylan. So yeah its oddly fun/soothing and the lyrics are at least entertaining and different. And I give a point for originality (as long as I like it). and like country, it grows on you.
С одной стороны очень минималистичный, но с другой очень существенный (?) альбом, который зайдёт далеко не всем (привет всем безбожным элитистам данного сайта). Лично мне этот альбом нравился всё больше и больше с каждой минутой и уже в конце я не мог как-то отрицательно высказаться по нему. Сначала вокальные партии казались совсем вычурными и скучными, но со временем пришло осознание, что именно так всё и задумано. Объективно говоря, такая подача текста идеально подходит под звук и тексты. Кстати о текстах, они просто пестрят своей фразиологичностью, и из-за этого доносят своё глубинное значение, даже если не обращать особое внимание на них, а также они совершенно не наскучивают, даже если снова обращать внимание на вокал. В общем, я совершенно ничего не ожидал от этого альбома, особенно, что он мне понравится, but here we are. Хватит хейтить всё подряд (7 - 7.5)
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.
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
Nice artist, good vibe
Actually a very good album.
For someone that grew up listening to some folk this album went pretty well. Im giving it 4 stars and it might go up
4/5 Johnny Cash und Bob Dylan auf Wish
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
I, too, wanna be a water if I can. Because water 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑑𝑎𝑚𝑛.
Didn’t really listen to any of his stuff at the time. This is a very good record. Interesting songs and lyrics.
pretty sad ad blue fun and acoustic
Una buena voz para temas muy tranquilos en un ambiente desenchufado, pero aun así, cómodo de escuchar. Un descubrimiento
4.0
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
Great listening. His lyrics are thoughtful and draw you in
Surprised to see this averaging sub-3.
A good mix, enjoyed it.
Love it all.
Bastante chulos. Indie rock suave, tranquilo. Un poco a Lemonheads, pero más tristones.
Familiar voices sonic delight
Really good, will check out their other stuff. Cheers then.
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”
Really liked this one. I would have been obsessed with this band if I had discovered them in like 2013
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.