>„On Starlite Walker, the second Silver Jews long-player, the group has graduated from home-cassette fidelity and made the startling and bold move to a professional recording studio. There will always be comparisons between the Silver Jews (led by former Pavement guitarist D.C. Berman) and that other group-not a big surprise considering that Pavement personalities Steve Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich moonlight as 2/3 of the Silver Jews-but the group is quickly evolving and might prove to be more than a footnote in rock history. While the revelry, unabashed sloppiness and cryptic humor are all familiar, the differences-such as a darker mood and heavy use of piano, synth and even country-ish pedal steel guitar as lead instruments-make the Silver Jews an interesting variation on a theme and a lot more original than some blatant Pavement-sound-alikes that come to mind. Highlights include the anthemic ûûAdvice To The Graduateûû (with vocals traded by Berman and Malkmus), ûûLiving Waters,ûû ûûPan American Blues,ûû ûûNew Orleansûû and ûûThe Silver Pageantûû (electric piano surf rock with ridiculous party noises).“ (CMJ) |