It's easy to forget that the Silver Jews weren't a Pavement side project, more the other way around. Some people are turned off by Berman's vocals, which, admittedly, wouldn't earn him a spot on American Idol. But as he said in another song, "all my favorite singers couldn't sing." The same holds true for me. I don't want to hear a technically perfect guitar solo and am not impressed by someone who can reach notes that others can't. All that is good and fine but, by itself, its about as interesting as a block of wood. It doesn't tell you anything else, offers you no insights.
So with all that said, check out this beautiful ditty from 2001's Bright Flight. It's a mournful story about lost love and trying to hold onto things that have changed, about remembering yourself as you were during a period of your life and knowing you can't get back there. Powerful stuff, which is reinforced by the tenderness of his voice and, as always, the powerful, simple, and personal lyrics ("The moon was worn just slightly on the right / And they slow danced so the needle wouldn't skip / Until the room was filled with light.") Try not to be moved.
I Remember Me
