12:12 Tune of the Day: Random Rules – Silver Jews
Posted By Amanda Lee on October 23, 2009
When you study literary theory, you learn a lot about ambiguity and why it works. Where Silver Jews songwriter David Berman shines is in the artful composition of ambiguous phrases that either mean several things at once or mean nothing at all; as a result, the listener is left to infer a meaning, which may or may not be in accordance with what Berman intended to say.
“Random Rules” is a standout on 1998’s American Water – infinitely quotable, applicable to almost any emotional situation a listener could be experiencing. Who didn’t spend part of college felt-penning “hospitalized for approaching perfection” onto the cover of a notebook during a boring lecture? I certainly did.
Britta Phillips and Dean Wareham covered this track on their 2003 release L’avventura, injecting the familiar melody with the light harmonies they do so well. Enjoy.
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