The Oxhorn Music Mix

Fashioned by poet David Berman, the Silver Jews epitomize a startling lyrical break from normality. Their seminal album, American Water, featuring Stephen Malkmus of Pavement, proffers the next generation of folk songs for a nation in motion.

With undulating chords and sinuous movements, Smith & Jones Forever, bobs like a fishing lure on a sunset pier. Telling the tale of two vagabonds in motion, in cars, rails and flight, Berman meditates on the simple vivacity of their adventures and the vibrancy of their land.

Build a stage for Autumn’s bitch.
They walk the alleys in duct tape shoes.
They see the things they need through the windows of a hatchback
The alleys are the footnotes of the avenues.

The alleys are the footnotes of the avenues: that pretty well sums up things in America. If you’re not living the bright life on the big streets, you must be doing something wrong, ’cause that’s not where anything memorable is at.

Of course, this sentiment is totally overwhelmed by the radiant refrain: “Smith & Jones, together forever and ever,” offering at least one reason to look twice at the life the floats just out of sight.

Sounds like the love child of: Jack Kerouac and The Jayhawks.

Download Smith & Jones Forever

Download “Smith & Jones Forever” on eMusic along with 25 FREE Music Downloads.
American WaterPhoto by Freekorps

Share This

Related Articles:

• Controlling the Famous - Automatic City - Two Sides
• Mercury Rev - Holes: Sweet Like a Falling Comet
• The Wilderness of Archer Prewitt: "Judy, Judy"