The Silver Jews (1 of 5)- How to Rent a Room

[hydogify]

somebody please explain the joke.

[FungusMossGnosis]

More live Berman can be found on my channel. Irish show circa 1999.

[jodysoldman]

I saw them a few times before they disbanded. He's pretty far from a great live performer, but I was more than happy to get what I got from them.

They did do a kick-ass job at Webster Hall on "Trains Across The Sea" and finished the show with a twice started "Punks In The Beerlight". I'm happy to have experienced them live but their records are even and well produced.

[FQuezo]

which album is this song from?

[fernloft]

@FQuezo The Natural Bridge

[sammywhammy1212]

i think these lyrics are about his dad, plus he never liked performing live, thats part of why he seems uncomfortable but i dont really know, hell i never even rented a room

[hydogify]

@sammywhammy1212 he wrote a major post on his blog about his father. this isn't his blog (although there's a link to it on this page), but see "my father, my attack dog" at this site weeblackskelf.co.uk/cordsuit/

[brozhu]

trying so hard to sound like leonard cohen.. no? unsuccessfully..

[lhooq27]

No? No. Pretty lazy and facile analogy there, friend. There might be a bit of similarity in their vocals -- both sometimes sing in a low monotone speaking style that probably has more to do with their lack of vocal range than anything (see also Bill Callahan), but the music and lyrics are pretty disparate.

[rorydog1]

I'd say more like Bob Dylan if you're looking for comparisons, but not really any more than Cohen. It's a good sound and it works with the lyrics.

[PiJo4eVeR]

i'm feeling naughty at the moment E

[aliennetworkRecords]

As a big Jews, Pavement, Malkmus, and even PSOI fan, I must say, I did not enjoy Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea. Suffering Jukebox being the best that album had to offer.

I've been into the Jews since Starlite Walker,I've owned Actual Air twice and I've been drunk plenty of time singing their songs.

So don't give me any super fan shit!

It's a really hard band to sell to friends that listen to what ever the radio tells them to.

[glasgowchris007]

you only owned Actual Air twice ???? And you call yourself a real fan.....away and read the metro section !! See my name ....

[aliennetworkRecords]

haha Some girl in the Army never returned my first copy.

[tacomeet]

iron your shirts!!!! lol

[sychosnake]

great performance.

i think he had the stand with his songs because he was withdrawling and couldn't remember shit

[paulsmartialarts]

"withdrawling" LOL

[w2a]

Make it. Go go go. Unbeatable. Your fine friends are also here.

[iiiijjjj]

i was at this show and had forgotten all about that great joke. i can think of several instances since then when i could have successfully used it, too. bummer!

[howelldrake]

He should have exit-polled the Gen-Why audience to find out how many had heard of said Hunchback, or even a "wok." They (the audience, not [necessarily] the bell ringer and the frying vessel) have good taste in music, though.

[youngwitches]

brilliant song & great video!

[nathanidiothend]

I ment "aren't", "Aren't Like The Stones"

[nathanidiothend]

Lets be honest, The jews are like the Stones, they didn't play a gig every night since the beginning..Of course he's going to forget lyrics he wrote over a decade ago when he hasn't sung them since the recording of the album..(I'm guessing this is footage from part of their first tour..ever?)..

Right?..

Greatest band of all time. Thanks for posting amigo.

[jcc152509]

Greatest band of all time? Quite a compliment for an average band.

[odysseia1975]

there is nothing average about silver jews, they're unique

[jcc152509]

Tell me what makes them unique?

[gibbsbeforebed]

Berman's music relies heavily on his lyrical prowess and not so much loud and gnashing instruments to supplement for half of a song. Most of these songs would be brilliant on their own in poetic form, yet the extremely simplistic instrumentals that accompany it help to exemplify the importance of lyrics in a song. In that way, The Silver Jews are

"unique," such intellectually stimulating lyrics have been extremely rare since the time of young Dylan.

[jcc152509]

Thanks for your thoughtful response. From what I heard, his lyrical prowess is dubious(in my opinion). Also, the musicianship is not that strong. However, I need to give it more of an earnest listen. What albums should I check out? My neighbors band opened for them in Boston on the 9/5/08 and I am kicking myself for not checking them out.

[analogkid8]

American Water is a great place to start. Features some excellent guitar work and backing vox from Stephen Malkmus. Just saw the Silver Jews play last night in Philadelphia. Berman is performing with more confidence and the band is really strong musically nowadays. His lyrics, as always, are thought-provoking and exceptional.

[jcc152509]

Thanks for the response.

[howelldrake]

I loved the Quasimodo joke, as well as how alive and spontaneous DC is in this. I have to ask tho, how can I, depressed drunk that I am, perform SJ songs live from memory while David needs a music stand? A*holes, commence your flame whacking!

[howelldrake]

Yes, you are an a*hole. Walk a mile in his shoes before judging what he needs to play live. I'm sure his audience would be much more rapt than any of yours have ever been.

[mewerlix]

I like them. Nice. :)

[friendsofmikelove]

if that was humour, then yes i don't have the sense you do

[myjellybones]

great. truly.

[Happossai]

(L)

This song is beautiful.

[fernloft]

thanks guys! This was one of the most fun concerts and road trips I been to/on.

[carnationsoul]

Fantastic :):)

[hullbridge]

i love it i love it i love it