DAVID BERMAN R.I.P.

"In 1984 I was hospitalised for approaching perfection...."

Tragic news from the rock and roll firmament this week as it was announced that American singer/songwriter David Berman - he of the massively underrated Silver Jews - has passed away at the age of 52. A hugely talented individual, Berman was also famed for his poetry as well as publishing a book of cartoons. It will, however, be his musical legacy that will stand the test of time, and what a body of work it was. Formed in the early 90's, Silver Jews were sprung from the same experimental and lo-fi indie scene that birthed Royal Trux, Palace Brothers and Pavement. Indeed, Stephen Malkmus - who later led Pavement to huge critical success - was originally a member of the Jews collective. Over the next decade, Berman and a revolving door of musicians and collaborators released a handful of truly great records including 1998's masterful 'American Water' (featuring the utterly sublime Random Rules which you can view above) which came closest to breaking Berman and his band into the wider consciousness. It never quite happened for him commercially though and, after a few more years of constant recording and touring, Berman retired the Silver Jews name and remained inactive for the next decade or so. He re-appeared only last month with a brand new album of glorious songs under his new Purple Mountains moniker. Garnering 5 star reviews across the board, this latest album was already set fair to be way up there in most listeners best records of 2019 before the desperately sad new of Berman's death filtered through.

David Berman was a songwriter and lyricist of great power and truly devastating emotional heft, marrying his wry, literate worldview to a sparkling combination of indie-rock discordia, ramshackle folk stylings and a swooning chime-filled strain of Americana. His songwriting skills were quite rightly feted by many, with a recent Guardian review of his new album suggesting that "you won't find a better lyric sheet all year". Plagued by depression, anxiety and no stranger to drug addiction - as well as previous suicide attempts - Berman's adult life was one of sadness and struggle. A recent admission to the world that his father was none other than Richard Berman, the infamous lawyer and lobbyist who had spent his working life defending gun, alcohol and big pharma companies and was otherwise known as 'Doctor Evil', no doubt contributed to his sense of unworthiness. With the Purple Mountains album now on the shelves, Berman was preparing for a North American tour this autumn but was found dead at his home last week. The death was ruled as suicide.

Rest in power David and untold thanks for all the music. 

"We're gonna live in Nashville and I'll make a career, out of writing sad songs and getting paid by the tear..." 

David Berman 1967 - 2019