Album of the Week: Silver Jews- American Water

American Water is an album that I've listened to so many times and have such a clear affection for that I feel as though I must have already reviewed it two or three times at least. Yet I can't find any evidence that I have, so hey, here we go!!

Once albums get old enough, you just kind of assume that enough people have written enough interesting things about them that the people who are seeking out that kind of music will find their way to it. To use an obvious example, Dark Side of the Moon is rightfully considered a must-have album but it's tough to write about it without feeling redundant or focusing on personal anecdotes. But there are albums like American Water which need cheerleaders and don't get written about enough from any perspective, whether it be critical or personal.

The main reason that I and others love the Silver Jews is for David Berman's striking lyrics. While I also like the mostly predictable and competently played country-tinged indie rock that goes along with the lyrics, it's Berman's way with words that earns my devotion. If you're in the right company, he is endlessly quotable; if you're in the wrong company and feeling like a plagiarist, you suddenly have an arsenal of poetic musings and imagery to conjure forth. Berman has a unique gift for making specific and (possibly) personal lines seem like universal generalities, letting highly detailed scenes and intricate thoughts pour easily out of his cup. For Silver Jews fans, American Water is the high tide (pun intended, but regrettable) for excellent lyrics, with tantalizing nuggets like the following to feast upon:

"Repair is the dream of the broken thing/Like a message broadcast on an overpass/all my favorite singers couldn't sing" ('We Are Real')

"Every falling leaf in a compact mirror/hits a target that we can't see" ('The Wild Kindness')

"The alleys are the footnotes of the avenues" ('Smith & Jones Forever')

And the ever immortal:
"The drums march along at the clip of an I.V. drip/like sparks from a muffler dragged down the strip" ('People')

American Water occupies a precious space in the Silver Jews discography between the sloppy-but-enjoyable early Jews and the slick boredom of modern day Jews. I went into this whole thing in greater depth in my review for Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea so suffice it to say that the Jews moved in a direction that took the emphasis off Berman's lyrics and put it unto the music. While that album is pretty catchy, I don't go to the Jews for catchy songs; anyway, Berman's voice and songwriting aren't built for it, so the whole record was pretty 'bleh' in my opinion. I suppose that's partially because the lyrics for Lookout Mountain are among the weakest in Berman's career, but I digress.

American Water is completely great lyrically and musically. It's hard to know how much effect the other Silver Jews have on the songs since most Silver Jews albums sound a lot alike even though the crew changes each time (Berman is the only constant, naturally), but some credit must go to the Water band for pulling off these great songs. 'Smith & Jones Forever', 'Like Like The The The Death', and 'Wild Kindness' are pretty ambitious for this band, and since Stephen Malkmus (of Pavement and solo artist fame) co-wrote two of the songs ('Federal Dust' and 'Blue Arrangements') you've got to assume he was a big part of the success of these songs. Doubly so when you realize that during this same period of time he was cleaning up and streamlining the usually ramshackle Pavement. But I'll save that treat for a review of the forthcoming deluxe reissue of Brighten The Corners, so stay tuned!!

(This review is getting needlessly digressive so I'll attempt to bring us back into port.)

To put it succinctly, American Water is both the best Silver Jews album and the best way to figure out if you're going to like this band. Beyond that, American Water is one of those minor league masterpieces from the indie rock contingent that I wish more people knew about and appreciated. David Berman deserves the attention and praise but I'd hate to think he's only going to get it now that he's actually touring and releasing light-and-accessible-but-lacking-depth fare like Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea. Put down Dark Side of the Moon for a day and give this one a shot.