Silver Jews – The Natural Bridge

album review

A review of the sophomore effort from indie-rock group Silver Jews, led by the recently passed away David Berman

The Natural Bridge starts with lead singer David Berman wryly and monotonously singing the lines “No I don’t really wanna die / I only wanna die in your eyes”. It’s this wit and wordplay that is strongly explored and utilized throughout The Natural Bridge, with this lyricism being orchestrated by this poetic frontman. There are very few albums where nearly every line of every song further shows the mastermind and lyrical wisdom of its creator. The Natural Bridge is cynical yet uplifting, it’s humorous yet depressive; it shows the listener what mess is going on in Berman’s mind. There are too many highlights lyrically on this LP, but some of my favorite lines include: “And when there’s trouble I don’t like running / But I’m afraid I got more in common / With who I was than who I am becoming” (“Black & Brown Blues”), “We used to dance in this split-level ranch / When moonlight flooded the room / Now you’re gone and the shades are all drawn / In my air-conditioned tomb” (“Albemarle Station”), “Robot walks into a bar / Orders a drink, lays down a bill / Bartender says “‘Hey we don’t serve robots,”‘ And the robot says “no, but someday you will.”’ (“The Frontier Index”). But witty lyricism isn’t the only thing that The Natural Bridge offers, what got me into the album wasn’t it’s lines, but it’s feeling, its atmosphere. The low-key and laid-back nature is inviting and warm even though, ironically, when the listener digs in deeper they discover the sardonic and dark nature of Berman’s music. Conceptually, The Natural Bridge is Berman is taking a road trip across the United States, but humorously to places you most likely wouldn’t want to go. He questions why he’s drawn to places like these in “Dallas”: “O Dallas you shine with an evil light / Don’t you know that God stays up all night? / And how’d you turn a billion steers / Into buildings made of mirrors /And why am I drawn to you tonight?” Although, Berman is not only taking a road trip around the US, but a road trip around human nature, visiting places that illustrate our nature, yet also exploring those places so he himself can illustrate to us what we are and why we are what we are. He does all of these things, leading us through the United States of Human Nature, mocking the world yet adoring its idiosyncrasies, cleverly delivering wry commentary on religion, love, and B.B King, while maintaining this friendly and relaxed atmosphere, as if this reclusive cynic is a good friend of yours. The album’s imperfections even complement it’s perfections, as the often repetitive instrumentation throughout is welcomed by the listener as they experience the David Berman road trip around the US. The Natural Bridge ends with my favorite lyrics Berman has ever written, as final track “Pretty Eyes” finishes off with the lines: “I believe the stars are the headlights of angels / Driving from heaven to save us / To save us / Look in the sky / They’re driving from heaven into our eyes / Final words are so hard to devise / I promise that I’ll always remember your pretty eyes / Your pretty eyes.” Berman writes on same track “Pretty Eyes” that “One of these days these days will end”, and now that that day has come, it’s with respect and acclamation that I write this review. May Berman rest in peace, and may this fantastic work of art rest in your ears.

9.1/10

Favorite Tracks: Pretty Eyes, Black and Brown Blues, The Frontier Index

©Drag City / 1996

Dirty Beaches – True Blue

track review

In some alternate dimension of noir, with sorrow and heartbreak lurking throughout the black-and-white palette of America, “True Blue” is playing on the radio as you drive along the road in the pitch-black of night, contemplating the one that got away. To me, this song clicked. It’s such a clever mix of genre and production, as I was entranced by this lo-fi, grainy sound echoing a 50’s rock croon. It plays like a experimental post-rockabilly song filtered into a romantic, Presley-esque tenor. The songs evokes an eccentric and odd feeling of anguish and regret. It’s lyrics support these feelings, with lines like “I walk along these streets until I have you in my arms” and “If I had the chance, I’d never let you go”. I enjoy how the vocals and the guitar work on this track gives the song so much structure, with the reverberated baritone of Alex Hungtai and the totally surfed-out guitar tone forming this beautiful mass of vintage sound and lonely atmosphere. “True Blue” embodies those whose hearts truly are wild and blue. 9/10

Beat Happening – Beat Happening

album review

A review of the debut self-titled EP from the indie-pop pioneers Beat Happening

When Calvin Johnson (founding member of Beat Happening) was asked why he ranked Beat Happening’s debut EP number one he answered, “This is the only real Beat Happening album. All the rest of the albums are just albums we recorded. But this album is what Beat Happening was.” Listening to Beat Happening is something I think many will have trouble with. The album feels barely put-together, and sounds like a mix of eclectic 60’s pop B-sides recorded in someone’s basement. But these songs weren’t from the 60s, and they weren’t B-sides either. They were the sound of a genre starting to take shape. Beat Happening is to Indie Pop what Led Zeppelin is to Hard Rock. When the genre is brought up, Beat Happening is one of the first bands to be acknowledged, and for good reason. Really, that’s a major reason why this album is so highly-regarded: it’s influence is massive. Beat Happening‘s lo-fi, no-longer-than-3-minute tracks are, as I said before, peculiar to say the least. Each song offers some sort of eclecticness and encompass this feeling of DIY that compliment the lo-fi sound. Truly, that would become the indie-pop spirit: DIY. Nowadays we’re so used to pitch-perfect, overproduced songs on the top 100 that Beat Happening sounds alien and aimless. That’s really why this album struck a chord with me. Tracks like “Our Secret” and “I Love You” resonate this lovable, uncanny indie spirit.”Down At the Sea” gives off an off-beat, uneasy feeling yet maintains a poppy sound, and “In Love With You Thing” highlights the band’s DIY approach, as the track is barely even a song, in the best way. One of the first things you’ll notice listening to Beat Happening is particularly Calvin Johnson’s deep, off-key echoing voice of abnormal yet child-like nature. Johnson shares the job of vocalist with Heather Lewis, whos voice is a bit more accessible, and sounds more like other indie pop vocalists, yet both voices embody the peculiarity and effort-less approach to Beat Happening. The lyrics are innocent and simple, a-lot like the albums sound, and these two elements of the album complement each other with great effect. The tracks along with their unique elements come together to make an album that propelled a genre, and established a humble sound. The indie aesthetic wouldn’t be as solidified as it is now without this wonderful album, and the band’s influence spans over many lo-fi/DIY and indie-pop bands forming and making music since the debut release. Although the record may not be accessible enough for some, it’s one that calls out to those who can see and hear the beauty within simplicity and eccentricity, as Beat Happening uncovers the indie spirit within them.

8.7/10

Favorite Tracks : Our Secret, I Love You, Foggy Eyes