Starlite Walker | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 24, 1994 | |||
Recorded | June 1994 | |||
Genre | Alternative country [1] | |||
Length | 32:46 | |||
Label | Drag City | |||
Producer | Davis McCain, Doug Easley, Silver Jews | |||
Silver Jews chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [3] |
Entertainment Weekly | B [4] |
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [5] |
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide | [6] |
Record Collector | [7] |
Starlite Walker is the first studio album by indie rock group Silver Jews. [8] [9] It was released in 1994 as an LP and CD on Drag City (DC55) in America and on Domino (WIG15) in Europe. [10] [11]
Starlite Walker was recorded in 1994 at Easley Recordings, in Memphis, Tennessee. [2] It was produced by Davis McCain, Doug Easley, and the band. [5] David Berman claimed that "Trains Across the Sea" was the first song that he ever composed. [12]
In a documentary about the band, Berman stated that the early development of the album was influenced by his job as a security guard at the Whitney: "We were working at the Whitney with all this conceptual art, and we were learning about it … and so I thought, “Well let’s just make this record that looks like a record, and has song titles and everything, but the songs would be the ones we make at home that sound terrible.” [13]
Trouser Press wrote that "while it gets laid-back enough at times to pass for a long-lost New Riders of the Purple Sage album, Starlite Walker possesses enough temperate charm to soothe even the most savage discordophile." [14] Drowned in Sound wrote that the album "may very well be the greatest jam session of half-formed ideas ever made." [15]
All tracks composed by David Berman; except where indicated
Pavement is an American indie rock band that formed in Stockton, California, in 1989. For most of their career, the group consisted of Stephen Malkmus, Scott Kannberg, Mark Ibold (bass), Steve West (drums), and Bob Nastanovich. Initially conceived as a recording project, the band at first avoided press or live performances, while attracting considerable underground attention with their early releases. Gradually evolving into a more polished band, Pavement recorded five full-length albums and ten EPs over the course of their decade-long career, though they disbanded with some acrimony in 1999 as the members moved on to other projects. In 2010, they undertook a well-received reunion tour, followed by another international tour in 2022–24.
Silver Jews were an American indie rock band from New York City, formed in 1989 by David Berman alongside Pavement members Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Berman was the only constant band member. During the last few albums, Cassie Berman became a regular member of the band. They disbanded in 2009.
Wowee Zowee is the third studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on April 11, 1995, by Matador Records. Most of it was recorded at Easley Recording in Memphis, Tennessee, where some members of the band had previously worked on Silver Jews' 1994 album Starlite Walker. The album showcases a more experimental side of the band, marking a return to the clatter and unpredictability of their early recordings after the more accessible sound of their 1994 studio album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. Its eclectic nature ranges from mellow yet distorted melodies to noise and punk rock, while the lyrics generally explore humorous and cryptic themes. At nearly one hour long, Wowee Zowee is Pavement's longest studio album, filling three sides of a vinyl record. Side four was left blank.
Slay Tracks: 1933–1969 is the debut EP by American indie rock band Pavement. Pavement—at that time, a duo of just its two founding members Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg (guitar)—recorded Slay Tracks with producer and future member Gary Young (drums) during a four-hour session. Pavement self-released the EP as a 7" vinyl record on the band's own record label Treble Kicker in 1989. The music of Slay Tracks was influenced by indie and punk rock bands such as Swell Maps and The Fall, and many of the lyrics were inspired by life in the band's hometown of Stockton, California.
Demolition Plot J-7 is the second EP by American indie rock band Pavement, released on June 1, 1990. The EP was the band's first release on Chicago independent label Drag City, and its first release that was not self-issued. It is also the band's only release to feature drummer Jason Turner. Demolition Plot J-7 shared many of the same indie and punk rock influences of Pavement's 1989 debut Slay Tracks: 1933–1969, but also diversified the group's sound by incorporating keyboards.
Stranger in Town is the tenth studio album by American rock singer Bob Seger and his second with the Silver Bullet Band, released by Capitol Records in May 1978. As with its predecessor, the Silver Bullet Band backed Seger on about half of the songs and the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section backed Seger on the other half.
David Cloud Berman was an American musician, singer-songwriter and poet. In 1989, he founded – and was the only constant member of – the indie rock band Silver Jews with Pavement's Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich.
Robert Nastanovich is an American musician and member of the indie rock band Pavement, as well as a former member of Silver Jews, Ectoslavia, Pale Horse Riders, and Misshapen Lodge.
The Natural Bridge is the second studio album by indie rock group the Silver Jews. Released in 1996 as an LP and CD on Drag City (DC101) in America and Domino (WIG28) in Europe, The Natural Bridge was engineered and mixed by Michael Deming and Thom Monahan and features cover art by Mike Flood. Featured musicians include: David Berman; Matt Hunter; Rian Murphy; Peyton Pinkerton; and Michael Deming.
American Water is the third studio album by indie rock group Silver Jews. Released in 1998 as an LP and CD on Drag City (DC149) in America and Domino (WIG56) in Europe, American Water was recorded at The Rare Book Room in Brooklyn and mastered at Abbey Road Studios. The album features musicians Tim Barnes, David Berman, Mike Fellows, Stephen Malkmus, Chris Stroffolino, and artwork by Chris Kysor.
Major Leagues is the final EP by American indie rock band Pavement. It was released on October 12, 1999, on Matador Records. To date, it is their final release of original material excluding reissues.
Bright Flight is the fourth studio album by indie rock group Silver Jews, released in 2001.
Dongs of Sevotion is the eighth studio album by Smog. It was released on April 3, 2000, in Europe by Domino Recording Company and a day later in North America by Drag City. It peaked at number 28 on the UK Independent Albums Chart.
Tanglewood Numbers is the fifth studio album by Silver Jews, released in 2005.
Rise and Shine is the fourteenth studio album by American country music artist Randy Travis. It was released on October 15, 2002 by Word Records. It was produced the single "Three Wooden Crosses", which in 2003 became his first Number One single on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart since 1994's "Whisper My Name". The only other single release from this album was "Pray for the Fish", which peaked at #48.
The discography of Pavement, a Stockton, California-based indie rock group, consists of five studio albums, five double-length reissues of the albums, one compilation, ten extended plays, and thirteen singles. This list does not include material performed by members or former members of Pavement that was recorded with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Silver Jews, Preston School of Industry, Free Kitten, The Crust Brothers, or any other associated solo or side projects.
Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea is the sixth and final studio album by American indie rock band Silver Jews, released on June 17, 2008, on Drag City. It was recorded at Marble Valley of Lexington, Virginia and Lake Fever Productions of Nashville, Tennessee. Silver Jews records are known for featuring different casts of musicians. This album features the touring band of lead singer, David Berman, including his wife Cassie. Berman has said that the album is "really different" compared to previous ones.
Marble Valley is a band formed by Steve West, the drummer of the indie rock band Pavement.
The Classic is the fourth regular studio album by the American artist Joan As Police Woman, released on March 10, 2014, through PIAS. It included the single "Holy City" that was inspired by a visit to Jerusalem.The song was described as "Motown-influenced pop fusion" and the release was supported by an Alex de Campi directed video.
Purple Mountains is the only studio album by American indie rock band Purple Mountains. The album was released on July 12, 2019, by Drag City. It is the final overall album by David Berman before his death on August 7, 2019, nearly four weeks after the album's release.