| Format: | LP |
| Availability: | Out of stock |
DC149
28/09/2018
American Water was first released two decades ago. Observing the time between then and now, the album has been half-speed mastered at Abbey Road to provide depth and nuance for all future vinyl listeners. American Water, the Silver Jews' third full-length release, reunites David Berman and Stephen Malkmus and adds new members Mike Fellows, Tim Barnes, and Chris Stroffolino. Named after a poster Berman saw at his veterinarian's office for American Water Spaniels, the album boasts some of the Jews' best arrangements and playing, from the flute and brass-tinged Random Rules to the driven but eloquent guitars on Night Society to the wah-wah friendly, '70s-style pop of People. American Water also varies in tempo and mood more than any Silver Jews album since Starlite Walker. Send in the Clouds and Smith & Jones Forever gallop along, while We Are Real and The Wild Kindness stroll. Though most of the album's lyrics aren't as personal as those on The Natural Bridge, they still feature Berman's detailed wit, like this couplet from People: "The drums march along at the clip of an IV drip/Like sparks from a muffler dragged down the strip." The tight, sunny-sounding production sparkles on songs like Honk if You're Lonely Tonight, and Berman's and Malkmus' twin vocals brighten songs like Blue Arrangements and Federal Dust. As with all of the Jews' best work, American Water sounds like it was made for the band's own enjoyment, and the listener is just eavesdropping on their fun.