Now, the best songs are on American Water but for overall consistency, tone and listen-ability, Bright Flight clears by a country mile
*could be biased considering the time of life it hit me
Real teenage spaceships know this is better than the three howling wolves
Hey, I wrote a little piece about David, his work and what he means to me. Figured this is a good place to share it!
I’m pushing through paradise lost, and I was wondering if dcb ever made /or alluded to Milton in any of his music/poems? I haven’t found anything on google, and also I wouldn’t be surprised if he deliberately avoided referencing Milton, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if there are subtle references ( ie borrowed phrases)
I see a lot of posts on SJ merch - just saw a new custom shirt up for preorder on the Bread & Water email.
There is also a killer Smog shirt. Check the site out below.
https://breadandwaterprintshop.com/products/2016-silver-jews-reprint-t-shirt?variant=52754721767709
David passed on this day in 2019, always a blue one for me. I posted this tribute poem by Meghan Harrison in Discordia Review last year, seems apropos to do it again. Be well and be kind everybody.
David Berman Was Alive and Living in Chicago
Transparency is relentless;
Any patient can tell you.
The first moon that isn’t yours
Is a pill cut exactly in half
By the shadow of the earth.
The only medicine is time,
Which is also fatal.
There’s no money in the public clover.
The ruinous gleam collects
On bicycles and knees.
Dry insect bodies hiss like sprinklers.
Under the sodium lights,
In the country songs,
In the bus station bathrooms,
Loneliness gathers its community.
A jukebox suffers the
Analog shake of withdrawal.
At the end of any journey, the blurred
But unmistakable face of God’s Letterhead:
"To whom it may concern,
Your work isn’t right for us
At this time. Please consider submitting
To the crushing weight of the inevitable."
Total retirement is a molecular impossibility,
No matter how badly one wishes to withdraw
From popular society or the great
Lottery of the black hole—the winning ticket
Printed on the inside of your skull, a papercut
In your thinking that made you see
Every flatterer as a hollow suit, every open palm
As a setup for the punchline.
I hope you come back for the world
Ironically, as a conqueror, in
A triumph of ice—classic water.
I'm sure most of us are aware it is the 7th anniversary of David Berman moving on to whatever comes after. I'm no good at marking occasions appropriately, so I'll just wish you all a peaceful day. Reach out to someone you've not heard from in a while, ask how they are. And if you're not feeling brilliant yourself, this is a friendly space to vent or rant or celebrate. Honk if you're lonely.
Smith and Jones forever.
Join me at Suffering Jukebox https://sufferingjukebox.stream/s/im-just-remembering-tkHRX6nz
It’s a good day for sharing playlists and favorite songs
I have been checking out my university library's copy of Actual Air for years now. Just recently started looking for my own physical copy, as I like carrying it around when I travel. It seems that the only paperback options available are from the OG printing.... and are on Ebay for 200+ dollars. Any other options or do I have to stomach the hardcover?
PS someone please (rightly) convince me not to take it and see what the lost book fee is for it
PSPS I recently came across this piece on Tableau Through Shattered Monocle, one of my favorites from the book. The writer articulates her relationship with DB's work in what I feel is a relatable way:
https://bowdoinorient.com/2024/03/01/canonical-if-youre-cool/
I've seen that Jan 4th is David Berman day (on account of it being his birthday). Looks like there have been events on / off over the years. Does anyone fancy trying to do one in London? Could try and get some musicians together?
Let me know if anyone thinks this is a good idea you fancy getting involved in.