- Audio CD (26 Oct 1998)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Domino
- ASIN: B00002428B
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 49,315 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Random rules |
| 2. Smith and Jones forever |
| 3. Night society |
| 4. Federal dust |
| 5. People |
| 6. Blue arrangements |
| 7. We are real |
| 8. Send in the clouds |
| 9. Like like the the the Death |
| 10. Buckingham rabbit |
| 11. Honk if you're lonely |
| 12. Wild kindness |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you are looking into the sliver jews from the stephen malkamus connection (and if so you are probably a Pavement fan)then this album would be your best place to start.
Malkamus sings quite a lot on this one - and there is definately an influence from his off balance arrangements on the music here. It has the most accessibale tunes too and is engaging from the start.
There are also opportunities here to then hear what the jews sound like without Malkamus on some of the other songs like 'Random Rules'.
I'd say the album 'Tanglewood Numbers' is their 'lighter' outing with more uptempo songs.
'Bright flight', despite having some of the best songs Berman has written, would not be the best place for someone who was not familiar with their work to start. it is a bit more morose and sombre than this one or 'Tanglewood numbers'.
Id say start with this one - if you like the more uptempo stuff like 'send in the clouds' - try 'Tanglewood' - if you like the soft, restrained alt - country of 'random rules'- then check out 'Bright Flight'.
I have not heard the 1st 2 albums yet but these 3 mentioned are definately worth checking out, imagine mixing the late Cash songs with some of the off kilter songs by pavement with some very imaginative lyrics.
Malkamus sings quite a lot on this one - and there is definately an influence from his off balance arrangements on the music here. It has the most accessibale tunes too and is engaging from the start.
There are also opportunities here to then hear what the jews sound like without Malkamus on some of the other songs like 'Random Rules'.
I'd say the album 'Tanglewood Numbers' is their 'lighter' outing with more uptempo songs.
'Bright flight', despite having some of the best songs Berman has written, would not be the best place for someone who was not familiar with their work to start. it is a bit more morose and sombre than this one or 'Tanglewood numbers'.
Id say start with this one - if you like the more uptempo stuff like 'send in the clouds' - try 'Tanglewood' - if you like the soft, restrained alt - country of 'random rules'- then check out 'Bright Flight'.
I have not heard the 1st 2 albums yet but these 3 mentioned are definately worth checking out, imagine mixing the late Cash songs with some of the off kilter songs by pavement with some very imaginative lyrics.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If lyrics in music are important to you, welcome to heaven. David Berman is one of the greatest lyricists alive today.
Ideally, you want this record and 'Natural Bridge'. There are songwriters with bigger reputations, but in terms of American music, I haven't heard anything this unpretentious or real out of America since the early days of Bob Dylan.
Musically the record is enaging and interesting aside from the country pastiche of 'Honk If You're Lonely Tonight' (Personal taste may differ)
It doesn't matter if guitar based Americana isn't usually your thing, the quality of the songs will sweep away your reservations. If you've never heard this and you're a music lover then it needs to be added to your collection.
Ideally, you want this record and 'Natural Bridge'. There are songwriters with bigger reputations, but in terms of American music, I haven't heard anything this unpretentious or real out of America since the early days of Bob Dylan.
Musically the record is enaging and interesting aside from the country pastiche of 'Honk If You're Lonely Tonight' (Personal taste may differ)
It doesn't matter if guitar based Americana isn't usually your thing, the quality of the songs will sweep away your reservations. If you've never heard this and you're a music lover then it needs to be added to your collection.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
American Water by Silver Jews is a great what's come to be known as "alt-country" album. But this is to do it a discredit. David Berman's words are sheer poetry and in real life Berman is indeed a poet...Silver Jews always provide a great opening track and on American Water this is the case again. "Random Rules" as opener does not disappoint...it's lush, has great words and a very hummable tune. Other album highligts include "Honk If You're Lonely" - songtitle and sentiment both outstanding....Berman has a voice you wanna lose yourself in and words to covet...American Water is another strong opus from a songwriter who should be revered the world over. Buy now.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
solid gold silver
This album has everything u want from a joos record and berman always makes song writing sound so easy. Read more
Published on 23 April 2008 by I. Scales
Poetry Shmoetry - a poem.
How you like my poetry gang? Well OK, I'm as good a poet as a reviewer but this is straight from the heart - American Water is an album you should find impossible not to love. Read more
Published on 28 April 2005 by o pybus
Near classic !
If you're realistic, you can't expect great music AND great lyrics from anyone. They are usually two seperate arts - musician and poet - and there's no bucking of the trend here... Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2004 by Mark S. G.
17 doctors could'nt decide ......
OK so it is probably not as good as Natural Bridge but is still one hell of an album. Send in the Clouds is the obvious commercial track, & Honk if you're lonely adds a little... Read more
Published on 11 May 2004 by superfurry badger
All My Favourite Singers Couldn't Sing
This is a a hell of an album. It manages to be both alt-country and have the charm (thanks probably to Stephen Malkmus) of quality indie. The lyrics are the real genius though. Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2003 by D. Carter
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