Record of the Week for us is the self-titled debut album from Purple Mountains. 'Purple Mountains' is the new nom-de-rock of David Berman from the Silver Jews, and much of this utterly excellent album is about his return from a self imposed decade long exile.
Berman is unmistakable in both his drawling delivery, and his peculiar turn of phrase that remains strikingly original. Direct, unflinching and so wildly inventive in a rambling and seemingly naive flow of conscious. He is backed with real warmth by much of the band Woods with Anna St. Louis, rich and full of upbeat melancholia. Each time we listen to this - which is many times this week alone - we find something new and grew more familiar with it's bitter sweet quirks. Pretty sure this is a very special album indeed.
"Purple Mountains is an excellent return to form for Berman; a worthy next chapter for a songwriter who quit, many believed, in his prime." - 4/5 Uncut.
"Expertly sequenced as a narrative of lethargy, collapse and recovery, Purple Mountains is ultimately an album about return. It is the sound of David Berman coming back from the cold and converting it to a welcoming, lyrical warmth. ... Prepare to be taken in." - 4/5 Mojo.
Berman is unmistakable in both his drawling delivery, and his peculiar turn of phrase that remains strikingly original. Direct, unflinching and so wildly inventive in a rambling and seemingly naive flow of conscious. He is backed with real warmth by much of the band Woods with Anna St. Louis, rich and full of upbeat melancholia. Each time we listen to this - which is many times this week alone - we find something new and grew more familiar with it's bitter sweet quirks. Pretty sure this is a very special album indeed.
"Purple Mountains is an excellent return to form for Berman; a worthy next chapter for a songwriter who quit, many believed, in his prime." - 4/5 Uncut.
"Expertly sequenced as a narrative of lethargy, collapse and recovery, Purple Mountains is ultimately an album about return. It is the sound of David Berman coming back from the cold and converting it to a welcoming, lyrical warmth. ... Prepare to be taken in." - 4/5 Mojo.
