From The Dorks Soundtrack: (They Say You’re At Large or The Two for One Holiday Lazy Ass Quote of the Week and Soundtrack Special)

Song for Episode:
# 47 –“Party Barge”

Performed by -Silver Jews

From the Album –Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea


“Hello, my friends. Hello, my friends. Come on have a seat.” The year was 1989. The setting was the University of Virgina. Three guys met and put a band togther. It just so happens that the band was the Silver Jews and the guys writer/musician David Berman with his friends, guitarist/singer Stephen Malkmus and drummer Bob Nastanovich. That is just nine years after my birth and five years after well… let’s just say, “In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection.” Since the beginning of the Silver Jews many different folks have come and gone but Berman remains. Some of you might recognize a couple of the names I listed prior from a band called Pavement. (Which will be my next pick and if anyone chooses Pavement in the next two weeks they win one free shot to their band-aids.) Names will be listed later in this blog log. To escape the Pavement shadow alias were used on Silver Jews albums. The funny thing is that my sources (reliable or not) tell me that Pavement came after Silver Jews. Listen to me, I will only say this once, “Silver Jews should in no fashion ever be seen as a side project.” Those of you who do… well… I guess… sorry you’re wrong.

David Berman is a clever, clever wordsmith. I’ll admit it took me a little while to catch on to what was happening while listening to the Silver Jews. Beyond his work with the Silver Jews, Berman is a cartoonist and an all around American poet, in every sense of those words even generally speaking. He has told us that “Pain works on a sliding scale” and that “so does pleasure in a candy jail.” He has gone as far as admitting, “true love doesn’t come around anymore than fate allows.” Let us not forget that “true love ain’t about getting yelled at all weekend.” He reminds us that “fast cars, fine ass these things will pass and it won’t get more profound.” As well as, that “time is a game only children play well” and raises the question “how can I love you if you won’t lie down?” Speaking of which, Berman is a man that realizes that “everybody’s going down on themselves there’s no pardon me’s or fare the wells in the end.” He helps us on those days when you’re sitting around “and you got that one idea again. The one about dying.” He sings to us and we think “I’m gonna turn my guns around. I’m not the deadest man in town.” He helps us see that “when the sun sets on the ghetto all the broken stuff gets cold” and that “the alleys are the footnotes of the avenues.” David Berman is the type of fella that comes right out and says, “I know that a lot of what I say has been lifted off of men’s room walls.” I’m still waiting for him to drop the name Cap’n Clet. Needless to say, David Berman is a man to look into. All you Pavement fans should know that the cd you have called Slanted and Enchanted got its name from a Berman cartoon. How’s that for a F.Y.I?

Anyone who is a fan of great words, some sad others hopeful but all well placed, and great music should give the Silver Jews a go. Their sound varies from rock to folk, which, only adds to the overall enjoyment of your listening experience. I believe that Silver Jews shows are hard to come by, though it seems to be getting a little better now but if you ever have a chance you better take it. I did a few years ago at the Duck Room and saw one of the top 5 shows I have seen at Blueberry Hill. If nothing else is learned from this blog log at least be kind to the “suffering jukebox, such a sad machine. All filled up with what other people need” and “on the last day of your life don’t forget to die.” And if all else fails and "If you need a friend to get through the night toot on your horn or flash on your brights. Honk if you're lonely tonight.”

-Rob

He is published. Here is proof.

Silver Jews

Members
David Berman Cassie Berman Former members
Tim Barnes Pete CummingsTony CrowDuaneDenisonDoug EasleyJill FantauzzaMike FellowsMatt HunterBrian KotzurPaz LenchantinDan MacktaStephen MalkmusDavis McCainRian MurphyBob NastanovichPaul NiehausWill OldhamPeyton PinkertonAndra ShermanChris StroffolinoWilliam TylerSteve WestJ.D. WilkesAzita Youssefi

Albums
Starlite Walker (1994) LP/CD
The Natural Bridge (1996) LP/CD
American Water (1998) LP/CD
Bright Flight (2001) LP/CD
Tanglewood Numbers (2005) LP/CD
Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea (2008) LP/CD
EPs
The Arizona Record (1993) CD/12"
Tennessee (2001) CD/12"

Singles
"Dime Map Of The Reef" (1990) 7"
"Silver Jews And Nico" (1993) split 7" with New Radiant Storm King
"Send in the Clouds" (1998) CD/7"
"Hot as Hell" (1999) CD/7"
Filmography
Silver Jew (2007)