Silver Jews - Random Rules

The Silver Jews have written two of my favorite albums of all time, American Water and Starlight Walker. Both were co-written with Stephen Malkmus and both were when David Berman (lead singer) was trashed all the time. I'm not a fan of Berman sober and sans Malkmus, but hey, maybe i'm just a 'Joos purist.

David Berman has written 30 of my top 35 favorite lyrics in songs. I think he's hilarious. Some samples:
"when the sun sets on the ghetto all the broken stuff gets cold"
"suburban kids with biblical names"
"on the last day of your life, don't forget to die"
"He can afford anything, he's got dogs that blow on trumpets"

This video gets huge cred because for some inexplicable reason it's just Connery clips from some biblical-looking movie (cue the "you've never seen ___!?!?!??" comments).

I think Bri's term 'charmingly sloppy' applies to the silver jews in songwriting, guitar playing, and singing, but it somehow stays together and keeps me coming back for more, time and time again.

Hum - Green to Me

There are about 20 songs that i listened to tonight before i decided on this. I was going to put up a song for Bri, a song for Osman and a few that i thought might appeal to the constituents of this blog in general, but in the end i decided to please myself.

Hum - Downward is Heavenward is my favorite CD of all time (Gould, even your cynical ass has to admit i've been consistent with this since i've known you). Everyone knows the song Stars by them (she thinks she missed the train to mars, she's out back counting stars). That was on the previous album. This album is approximately 200 times better.

They broke up in '99 or 2000 i think. Before i knew they were perfect. We decided on monday to go to the Winter Classic in chicago for New Years this year. Well, about 20 minutes after making that decision over going to Tampa I found out Hum are playing a reunion show on New Year's day in Chicago. So, in conclusion, 1/1/09 will be the culmination of my being. I'll watch the magic that is Henrik Zetterberg on the ice during the day, then reach Nirvana through the majesty of Matt Talbot's searing guitar riffs (I would love to write for columbia house).

After a lot of indecision it was obvious to choose Green to Me off of this album. For one, some of the best songs don't have a video. But also, this song epitomizes what is so great about them. The sheer enormity of the guitars in all of their songs is incredible. Listen to this with headphones, not shitty laptop speakers. There are at least 5 guitar tracks layered over every part. And his voice is so amazingly calm over all of it.

Please like this

After you posted a BRMC video, my brain will blow up if you say you don't like this.

My Bloody Valentine - Only Shallow

Alright, so we've all obviously heard the hype about the album Loveless "greatest album ever written", "more beautiful than Dave Emmons" etc. I never really understood the hype until right now. I just listened to the song Only Shallow about 10 times in a row. This song is so fucking cool. Oh man. I'm overwhelmed right now.

Jeff Buckley - Grace

This guy is an incredibly talented songwriter, musician, and vocalist who died before he even scratched the surface of his potential. He was working on his second album, awaiting the arrival of his bandmates in Memphis to finish the sessions. He went for a swim one evening in the Wolf river and drowned. No alcohol or drugs were found in his system. It is presumed that he was swept away from shore by the current.





Also, I think it would behoove you all to take a look at this music blog:
http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/

Turnover

I feel like posting something, but not anything I'll be forced to think about.

This is probably my most viewed video on YouTube. I would give my left nut to see these guys live.