The Silver Jews

Wayne Blogged The...Silver Jews.
namely, American Water
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There's something about indie rock bands with a revolving door of supporting members that intrigues me. And while other acts such as Guided By Voices and Golden Smog have been able to maintain the image of a band, I don't feel The Silver Jews have accomplished that. It seems more like a really cool club. Just a bunch of authors, poets, and rockers getting together to record an amazing album.

The brainchild of David Berman and Steve Malkmus (yes, THE Malkmus of Pavement), The Silver Jews have released six LPs since their formation, and have had 26 members over that time period. Awesome, right?

Berman's voice echoes Leonard Cohen's 1980's incarnation, while his writing has been compared to Bob Dylan. The music drawls on without much complaining, by neither the audience or the band. Yet, there's something hypnotizing about the band's output. I can honestly listen to American Water no matter what mood I'm in, and it fits. I've been on roadtrips, in depressive spells, underneath girlfriends, and on top of the world while listening to their music. (I hope you appreciate the humor in that last sentence as much as I do...)

I've been wanting to write down my favorite lines off of this record for a while. But here are a few I can remember:
The alleys are the footnotes of the avenues - Why can't monsters get along with other monsters?
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People ask people to watch their scotch.
People send people up to the moon.
When they return, well there isn't much.
People be careful not to crest too soon.
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o come let us adore them California overboard when the sun sets on the ghetto all the broken stuff gets cold. (holdin' up their trousers with extension cords)
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But perhaps my favorite song off the album (and perhaps of their entire discography) is Federal Dust, which is co-written and co-sang with Steve Malkmus:

They don't walk and they don't talk in Malibu. They don't vote and they don't smoke. I know you're blue… They don't cream and they don't dream in Kansas City. They don't crack and they don't act. I know you're ready… They don't cry and they don't die in South Dakota. (just like a seagull) They don't match and they don't hatch in South Dakota. Here comes the coda. Not much water coming over the hill…..
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