Friday, March 28, 2008

Greatest Openers- Random Rules


"In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection, Slowly screwin' my way across Europe they had to make a correction." This first line, sung wearily by David Berman, is pure poetic genius. The opening song on Silver Jews' 1998 album American Water, "Random Rules" features some of the best lyrics written in the past fifteen years. The song just has classic line after classic line, backed up by a horn section and some of Stephen Malkmus' most focused guitar playing. Bright Eyes? Give me Berman any day.

Silver Jews- Random Rules