Silver Jews – Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
I feel a little trepidatious reviewing an album by a group with such a pedigree, given I really know very little about them. I remember buying Bright Flight back in 2001, but I really never got into it so I kind of forgot about them, if I’m being honest. Groups like this, with their reputations and their all-star cast, are the sort that despite my generally reactionary nature, I feel I should like. It’s the kind of thing that tends to rear its head every time a new release comes around, and I find myself feeling compelled to feel something. Beck is a bit like that for me, as well.
So for all I’ve largely ignored the Silver Jews for years now, it’s always felt like a bit of a failing on my part, so I’m glad to be enjoying this new one. I’m not overwhelmed with joy or anything, but it’s a pretty good album. I suppose everyone knows better than I do what they sound like, but just for the record it sounds like classic alt-country, so archetypal in fact that it could be used as the epitome of the genre. There’s some rumbling Johnny Cash in the vocals and a lighter, more sunny roll to the music itself.
I wouldn’t describe it as jaunty, per se, nor is it particularly leaning towards that sort of West Coast pop that some people in this territory seem to employ. There’s just something satisfied and confident about the sound of it. I suppose when you’ve been on the scene as long as the likes of Malkmus and Berman then that might just come quite naturally. It’s nice though, and I’m sort of pleased I finally found a way to start to appreciate this band.
Silver Jews – Aloysius, Bluegrass Drummer
Silver Jews – Strange Victory, Strange Defeat
I think these links are busted.
I also have never been able to develop much enthusiasm for Silver Jews, not that I’ve tried very hard. I’m not sure why that is, because I’ve always loved the whole Drag City scene. Get these links back up and perhaps I’ll come around.
I second that.
Seem to be working now – I think I left off a w in the http://www bit. Sorry gents, carry on.
I don’t like them either and I love lots of alt country – not quite sure what it is – maybe they are too jaunty for me. I like more misery thrown into my music.
You know, I thought ‘Silver Jews, hey-ho’ line would be a little more controversial. Is there a member of the cognoscenti out there who can put us straight perhaps?
You fucking supercilious prick! I want to be the “cognoscenti.” Sniff.
Anyhoo, these tunes have not converted me. The vocals sound a bit like Micah P. Hinson, which is great, but the music is way too “shiny” in my opinion. To me, it doesn’t seem to complement the flat affect of the singing or the lyrical content. Oh well, they have the cognoscenti, so methinks they’ll do just fine without me.
That’ll teach me to come up with pithy, abusive phrases that are primarily directed at myself.
Well it’s not a bad album C&B – quite enjoyable. If your budget and shelf space are limited though, then I wouldn’t rush off an buy one as a matter of urgency though.