Customer Reviews

Starlite Walker

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is where it all begins for Silver Jews fans. The introduction on this album welcomes the listener into the warm and enchanting sound of the Silver Jews and as the introduction draws to a close Mr. Malkmus whisps out a sad and lonely voice saying that "he never wants this minute to end" and then the song ends and segues perfectly into one of the greatest Jews songs ever "Trains Across the Sea". It gives me chills every time I listen to it. I have noticed that most people Starting with American Water have problems coming back and appreciating this wonderful album. It's true if your first listen to the jews is on American Water then you are getting into the more evolved sound of the Jews. This album is more straight forward than American Water, and has a more intimate folk feel to it. If you love folk music like Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and even later Dylan like Nashville Skyline and John Wesley Harding then you will love this album. On songs like "New Orleans" David Berman writes about one of the most famous folk songs ever the New Orleans whore house song "House of the Rising Sun". The lyrics in "New Orleans" will give you a true measure of just how clever and profound David Berman can be. I also think songs like Trains Across the Sea, Advice to a Graduate, and Rebel Jew feature some of David Bermans best Lyrics ever. David Bermans lyrics will pull you in and perplex you much like Bob Dylans lyrics used to pull in and perplex people from the 60's. I recommend that you pick up this album, get your friends together, and enjoy a few pints of your favorite stout as you listen to this album for the first time..."In 27 years I've drunk 50,000 beers, and they just wash against me like the sea into the peer." -David Berman

This record is quite good, not of the caliber of all the rest of the Silver Jews' output, but still great, plus it includes my all-time favorite lyric ever:

"In 27 years I drank 50,000 beers
And they all wash against me like the sea into a pier"

You just can't beat that kind of witty yet elegiac lyricism with a stick ...

I bought this back in 1996 when I was REALLY into Pavement because I knew that Malk and Bobby N from 'ment appeared on this album. Upon the first 10 or so listens, it sounded like a mellow Pavement knock-off (which was a good thing) but subsequent listens helped to hash out David Berman's individuality as a songwriter aside from his Pavement friends. The music is slow, twangy, countrified indie rock with really clever lyrics spoke/sung in a Southern stoner drawl. A great listen for a mellow summer evening or a camping trip. Go SJ!

This isn't a particularly great album, but the Silver Jews only made three particularly great albums, and most days, I prefer this to their up-tempo later work. "Trains Across the Sea" is the only real standout here -- it doesn't seem to have aged at all -- but a lot of fans like "New Orleans" and "Advice to the Graduate."

There is a CD flat with 9 songs called the 'arizona record' by this band that came out in 1992 (drag city label?) that should be checked out by y'all. It is their first release..How lo (fi) can you go?!

The Two Extraordinary Gentlemen and their Cast of Thousands are truly Shining to-night. Now The Other Half Lives, but back in the Day, yes, back in the Day... D. C. Berman and Mister Malkmus bounce off of each other as Happily as could possibly be Expected.

When I was fifteen, and a very experimental high school student, this album first crossed my ears. It's soft and comforting style swam in my soul. The album provides a closness between the artist and the listener that is a sort of security blanket to your ears; the feeling of comfort that you get as a child of your mothers lullabys. This album has remained in my collection as a favorite for years. I definetly recommend it to yours. If you find this album appealing, I recommend checking out the Palace Brothers many albums too. They carry the same beautiful, comforting melodies that I love in the Silver Jews.

This CD/LP isn't too good. Stick with American Water and Natural Bridge. If you love those two and feel you need to get more Silver Jews I strongly suggest you resist the urge. This isn't nearly as good. In fact, it isn't good.