Purple Mountains isn't an intellectual endeavor. It's visceral. One of the most human records ever recorded. Such a difficult album to listen to now. RIP David.
@@lindseytaylor4460 A Crow Looked at Me, I would argue, is the most raw grief I've heard for another. This is maybe the most grief contained in an album for oneself
I never knew that an album could be so relatable, funny, AND enigmatic until it came out. I was interning for the company that represented him for licensing for film/tv/commercials/video games at the time. While I was working on updating his profile to include Purple Mountains, a friend gently texted me that he had passed. I froze. A coworker asked me what was wrong. I said "David Berman..." and the coworker said "oh God." And I said... "he ended it." They let me go home very early that day.
In an interview David Berman said he enjoyed making the album, so although the album is very sad, it's nice to know that it gave him a bit of a lift in his final days. And his ability to see humour and beauty in such melancholy is remarkable. I guess in the end the bad outweighed the good. Tragic as it is, suffering everyday is no fun, and his many years of suffering are over.
I love the comment he made about Cassie, "she's downstairs making me a sandwich. Literally" That made me tear up and realize that anything beautiful that anyone makes is a struggle in the environment in the world.
David, why. You are my hero and I am absolutely balling my eyes out at the moment. It's 2 years plus on and I am absolutely gutted still. I love you brother.
can we appreciate what an insanely funny move it was to start with that disclaimer and then immediately cut to photos of DB & his real life ex wife the madman
She stood by David,nobody knows what goes on in others marriage,who are we to speculate. She yearned for life,light and friends and he sadly coukdnt push away the darkness
@@pineapplecircus yeah I'm not speculating on those details. just how funny it is to say "this isn't based on real people" then immediately cut to the real people it's based on
It's the Maneki-Neko (lucky cat) after that which gets me. Being able to poke fun at that is just crazy in my mind but still shows what a great sense of dry humour David had. Sorely missed but it's really what he wanted sadly.
This video gets me everytime. This is literally how it went before my girlfriend and I broke up. The lyrics are very fitting of that relationship too, I was listening to Silver Jews “the wild kindness” that whole week that it ended. His music was a staple for me. He was the friend that I never had when everyone left. And now, he is a friend who has left. Rip Dave.
I'm actually doing really well! I finally got some effective mental health treatment, found a good therapist, and left a toxic relationship, and now I'm actually starting to heal. I haven't listened to Purple Mountains in a while. :-P Sending so much love and hope to you and anyone else who is struggling
I was always into Pavement, but had never really listened to Silver Jews... I’m ashamed that his death is the reason I finally started listening to his music. He may be gone, but his music is still providing joy to people like me.
Dave when you are on tour do your thing and do not get too depressed. Just remember you are a magician at what you do. You make a lot of people happy. Thank you my friend
Just heard about Dave Berman's death and found out that he released this a month before his death. It feels like a goodbye letter to me. I love you, Dave, from the spirit in your work, from one Jew to another. I'll say kaddish for you at shul this shabbos. I say amen to this final prayer, may there be peace in this house, in all houses, Amen.
hi, friend. just know, that 10 months later, someone looking through old videos found your comment and it moved them. Say another kaddish for him this week x
It's so horrifyingly on the nose...that gallows humour...RIP big man. The ultimate black comedy kiss-off. I'm gonna miss him. Look after your friends :(
Oh man... I just discovered this 1 minute ago and looked in the comments to learn more - who is this amazing songwriter? Now I'm saying Rest In Peace. Darn. You were awesome David. I wish I'd known you . From a new fan. RIP brother.
I first heard of this man yesterday and really enjoyed what I heard. So I was crushed this morning when I started googling his other bands name to listen to more, only to discover that he had passed away. Rest in peace, David.
A week ago I wrote a letter to David Berman to tell him what the Purple Mountains record meant to me. I never sent it. Then I heard of his sad passing and days later that he died right in my neighborhood in Brooklyn. If he only knew how many people were rooting for him. RIP.
I've been destroyed by this for the last week...grieving over the poor guy. The last few days I haven't even been able to eat. The new Purple Mountains record hit me differently than a lot of records do and I was just sickened by his passing.
Man. I don't know what to make of any of this. David really had a knack for producing work that was simultaneously emotionally true, sarcastic and deeply unsettling. I just wish he'd been able to sneak past his demons and into a better place.
If it makes you feel better, try to think of how hard it would be for someone as prone as self criticism and negativity as David, ever writing anything...let alone getting up on stage and sharing himself with strangers. I try to comfort myself by being amazed we got to share in anything of his creation, once I reconsider how much he struggled for years.
True story: I was hospitalized in a psych unit for attempting suicide. It was a facility literally in the middle of nowhere that had maybe 10 patients, all of which where insane(by societies standards). They were a lively bunch, we would play music for about an hour each day and everyone would dance their ass off, it looked like a gratful dead concert. I played punks in the beer light multiple times and we all danced to it. Hearing David Berman sing still reminds me
@@paulbrown638 from Drag City blog: "Some of his incredible turns of phrase seem to have been written for this awful moment. But know that they weren't. They were written in lieu of this moment, to replace this moment, showing the world (and himself) that maybe he didn't truly know what was going to happen next."
This video is incredible. It's as hilarious, sad and bleak as the song - and the whole album, really. It was good to think that he could laugh at his own pain, make something beautiful out of it while finding the strenght to go on, for a while. May he rest in peace.
I’m crushed. This man has been “with” me (in my ears at least) most of my life. First heard him when I was about 14, and even during his long break the Jews were a constant presence in my life, as were his amazing poetry collections. Then he returns with an incredible new record, seemed to be getting better despite his issues, was about to tour... I was following his Drag City Instagram take over and he seemed to be having fun. His last upload he wrote “goodnight”. I guess he meant it.
We are blessed to have heard the voice of this poor genius and we must learn to love from all he has said and done. Infinite Love to all united by David's spirit
Heroic? He wrote a suicide note of an album with reference to Cassie all over as the source of much of his pain. That’s a horrible thing to do. She would’ve blamed herself either way but he sure tuned this album up for maximum effect. What a creeper. Genius but a creeper.
@@ianloeb1672 Yeah there's a lot on the album about him feeling like a burden to her (particularly this and She's Making Friends...) , probably a factor in it :/
@@WallyBrando Reminds me a little of Anthony Bourdain at the end, but maybe that's a stretch. Not implying anything Argento-related about the crowd Cassie hangs with, for sure!
Particularly sad watching this video after watching the video for Sleeping is the only Love. At least Berman's sense of humour never weakened. That ending has me in stitches every time. What an amazing person.
Don't know many writers I'd consider both the 'old' and the 'new' voice all at once. Timeless stuff in the history of pop music folks, which I'm sure we can agree, is a rarity itself. Tell your grandkids about this! I hope we don't have to.
We must all learn from David more about these mental illnesses. Suffering and struggling from depression myself, I would have done everything for this man, such a talented guy with so much to give. His suffering was too great. In the end he did say recording this album was worth doing and I just wish he had done more of it before his sad passing
K i just learned the news, through your comment, I knew something was up when reading it, I’m freaking out, this way to sad, like losing a real good friend. I met Berman after a show in Montreal and talked to him for 20 minutes, I have nothing but respect for the man ... fuck
This song and performance is like a kick in the groin to me, for very personal reasons. Ironically/not Ironically at all, the very next on the Playlist that CZcams made for me is "All My Happiness Is Gone" by Purple Mountains.
When my gf of many years kicked me out i'd sit in my parents house at night listening to this album on repeat sobbing and doing as much substance damage to myself as I could. Oddly enough it made me think everything was gonna be ok, at least he made it this far RIP.
Amazing that he was still able to be this funny about something that was so painful for him. You would have thought that his sense of humor might have been a sufficient coping mechanism.
I love that despite all his sadness David was self aware and still had a spark of humour.
Purple Mountains isn't an intellectual endeavor. It's visceral. One of the most human records ever recorded. Such a difficult album to listen to now. RIP David.
Probably the realest insight to grief in musical form.
@@lindseytaylor4460 A Crow Looked at Me, I would argue, is the most raw grief I've heard for another. This is maybe the most grief contained in an album for oneself
I never knew that an album could be so relatable, funny, AND enigmatic until it came out. I was interning for the company that represented him for licensing for film/tv/commercials/video games at the time. While I was working on updating his profile to include Purple Mountains, a friend gently texted me that he had passed. I froze. A coworker asked me what was wrong. I said "David Berman..." and the coworker said "oh God." And I said... "he ended it." They let me go home very early that day.
I don't think I'll ever get over Dave Berman's death, I really don't want to
@@lindseytaylor4460 In Utero
I heard this dude was once hospitalized for approaching perfection.
I've heard that too. I wanna say like in 1984?
Story goes that he was screwing his way across Europe... they had to make a correction.
We all work backwards from perfect
..Broken and smokin' where the infrared deer plunge in the digital snake
@@matthewsandoval253 i tell you man, they make it so you can't shake hands when they make your hands shake.
He said “Steve, it’s because people leave - and no highway can bring them back.”
In an interview David Berman said he enjoyed making the album, so although the album is very sad, it's nice to know that it gave him a bit of a lift in his final days. And his ability to see humour and beauty in such melancholy is remarkable. I guess in the end the bad outweighed the good. Tragic as it is, suffering everyday is no fun, and his many years of suffering are over.
Was really glad to have Berman back, just crushed that it was a swan song. I hope he found peace.
Ohhh husshhh
We all find peace after this life. And without trying to be morose, death is simply our home.
@@ModestCasanovaa ?
@@vanleeuwenhoekDavid just went home a bit too early.....❤
Punk died when the first kid said, 'punk's not dead, punk's not dead!' Long live David Berman.
In a Reddit AMA, David said this was his favorite song that he made.
hey thanks for making me aware of this AMA's existence.
Cassie is literally one of my best friends- hence David is loved! This album breaks me
I love the comment he made about Cassie, "she's downstairs making me a sandwich. Literally" That made me tear up and realize that anything beautiful that anyone makes is a struggle in the environment in the world.
David, why. You are my hero and I am absolutely balling my eyes out at the moment. It's 2 years plus on and I am absolutely gutted still. I love you brother.
“Light of my life is going out tonight, without a flicker of regret”, has a much different meaning now.
Woah
Yes. Wow, I missed that before reading this.
Oh shit...
I think he intended that meaning from the get go. So sad.
Triple meaning. Very tragic.
R.I.P. David Berman , in our hearts forever ♥️
can we appreciate what an insanely funny move it was to start with that disclaimer and then immediately cut to photos of DB & his real life ex wife the madman
She stood by David,nobody knows what goes on in others marriage,who are we to speculate. She yearned for life,light and friends and he sadly coukdnt push away the darkness
@@pineapplecircus yeah I'm not speculating on those details. just how funny it is to say "this isn't based on real people" then immediately cut to the real people it's based on
It's the Maneki-Neko (lucky cat) after that which gets me. Being able to poke fun at that is just crazy in my mind but still shows what a great sense of dry humour David had. Sorely missed but it's really what he wanted sadly.
Reminds me of the ironic disclaimers they have before South Park episodes
As an incredibly depressed person, it’s on both. They both knew. There is no finger pointing
Man, I'm never not going to miss this guy.
This video gets me everytime. This is literally how it went before my girlfriend and I broke up. The lyrics are very fitting of that relationship too, I was listening to Silver Jews “the wild kindness” that whole week that it ended. His music was a staple for me. He was the friend that I never had when everyone left. And now, he is a friend who has left.
Rip Dave.
Here I am again as I circle the drain once more. Can't tell if this music is keeping me afloat or pulling me under.
same
I'm actually doing really well! I finally got some effective mental health treatment, found a good therapist, and left a toxic relationship, and now I'm actually starting to heal. I haven't listened to Purple Mountains in a while. :-P Sending so much love and hope to you and anyone else who is struggling
hang in there buddy
real shit man. i hope youre good
Farewell, Mr. Berman ( 4 Jan 1967-7 Aug 2019). You are missed. Thank you for your songs.
Gonna listen to Silver Jews for the rest of my days.... thank you David; RIP
RIP you brilliant man
Tragic. If you know someone who is suffering. Reach out, be compassionate.The world is a dark and cold place...
I love that D. B. found humour in this video. Hope you found your light David - R.I.P.
I was always into Pavement, but had never really listened to Silver Jews... I’m ashamed that his death is the reason I finally started listening to his music. He may be gone, but his music is still providing joy to people like me.
Dave when you are on tour do your thing and do not get too depressed. Just remember you are a magician at what you do. You make a lot of people happy. Thank you my friend
What a wonderful comment. I guess he didn't realize how much bleaker the world is without people like him.
It's unbelievably sad.
Ouch
Great album, but why top himself it's too clichéd to apply it to a " tortured artist" statement.
Just heard about Dave Berman's death and found out that he released this a month before his death. It feels like a goodbye letter to me. I love you, Dave, from the spirit in your work, from one Jew to another. I'll say kaddish for you at shul this shabbos. I say amen to this final prayer, may there be peace in this house, in all houses, Amen.
Perfect my friend. Amen
Amen
hi, friend. just know, that 10 months later, someone looking through old videos found your comment and it moved them. Say another kaddish for him this week x
RIP David Berman - you were in a class all your own.
It's so horrifyingly on the nose...that gallows humour...RIP big man. The ultimate black comedy kiss-off. I'm gonna miss him. Look after your friends :(
David was a brilliant person, his songs were elite. He was elite.
Oh, I feel good, you know I feel... I feel good, you know what I feel!
Unbelievable. What a concept. That ending too. 10/10 would Berman again.
Everytime I read this comment it just gets me. I dunno what I'm looking for down here, but this comment ends up being it
1 Infinity/10 but alas, no more Bermans
Oh man... I just discovered this 1 minute ago and looked in the comments to learn more - who is this amazing songwriter? Now I'm saying Rest In Peace. Darn. You were awesome David. I wish I'd known you . From a new fan. RIP brother.
This album was his suicide note, you should listen to the whole thing
New year’s eve 2023 / 2024 here’s to you Mr. Berman ✨🍸
Purple Mountain Majesty. Soul music has changed.
The light of my life is going out tonight
In a pink champagne Corvette
I sleep three feet above the street
In a Band-Aid pink Chevette
I first heard of this man yesterday and really enjoyed what I heard. So I was crushed this morning when I started googling his other bands name to listen to more, only to discover that he had passed away. Rest in peace, David.
This is the greatest music video ever made.
one of the most emotionally potent songs ever
A week ago I wrote a letter to David Berman to tell him what the Purple Mountains record meant to me. I never sent it. Then I heard of his sad passing and days later that he died right in my neighborhood in Brooklyn. If he only knew how many people were rooting for him. RIP.
I've been destroyed by this for the last week...grieving over the poor guy. The last few days I haven't even been able to eat. The new Purple Mountains record hit me differently than a lot of records do and I was just sickened by his passing.
Man. I don't know what to make of any of this.
David really had a knack for producing work that was simultaneously emotionally true, sarcastic and deeply unsettling.
I just wish he'd been able to sneak past his demons and into a better place.
'We're all going under. How 'bout a fucking laugh along the way?'
If it makes you feel better, try to think of how hard it would be for someone as prone as self criticism and negativity as David, ever writing anything...let alone getting up on stage and sharing himself with strangers. I try to comfort myself by being amazed we got to share in anything of his creation, once I reconsider how much he struggled for years.
@@TR-yi8up well said, sir
@bricology Hi, I liked your comment so much that I
paraphrased it for my band name
(Sneak Past Demons). Hope you don't
mind!
Welp, this summer is gonna rule with this album blasting constantly on my boom box
I recently heard on an interview that this was his favorite song on the album. Miss you, man.
True story: I was hospitalized in a psych unit for attempting suicide. It was a facility literally in the middle of nowhere that had maybe 10 patients, all of which where insane(by societies standards). They were a lively bunch, we would play music for about an hour each day and everyone would dance their ass off, it looked like a gratful dead concert. I played punks in the beer light multiple times and we all danced to it. Hearing David Berman sing still reminds me
great story :)
Fuck yeah dude. Great story :)
Bro wright a damn song about this please
That ending gets me every time
Cassie and David forever
The avalanches running red light song brought me here as I wanted to know where the pink corvette line come from.
I'm glad I found this
I sure do miss this guy. He could put into music and lyrics what so many of us feel.
Stay strong my man.
she's actin' single, we're drinkin' double
Lol
thanks for this last gem. RIP, David.
Masterpiece, both song and video.
I can’t stop thinking this album is his farewell.
Daniele Milazzo Sadly, It very much is/was... 😢
The more I listen to it, the more I think he intended it that way all along. 😞
Paul Brown Yeah, I hear that as well.
Daniele Milazzo ...I’m gutted still....
@@paulbrown638 from Drag City blog:
"Some of his incredible turns of phrase seem to have been written for this awful moment. But know that they weren't. They were written in lieu of this moment, to replace this moment, showing the world (and himself) that maybe he didn't truly know what was going to happen next."
Another reason to stay alive a while longer.
too bad he didn't heed that advice.
☹️
Well fuck
aged like milk. fuck me, you will be missed David Berman
I still can't believe it. I'm all kinds of fucked up today.
My friend posted this about the time he passed. Was the first time I've heard this song or this artist. Now I can't get this song out of my head.
Rest in peace Dave, you goddamned legend. Love your work and words so much. It was a blast.
I just cannot get enough of this song, and at the same time every time I listen to it I am so sad David is no longer with us.
this record really has become a religious experience for me.
i listen to it, drink scotch and cry.
He wouldn't have Wanted that. Smoke weed and laugh at the afterthought
@@Unknown-gf6mk haha yeah you're right - things have been better since then, still loving the tunes to the max tho :)
@@KitCalder its a great album. Can't seem to get bored of it. Peace.
That’s a really silly stupid thing to do.
@@KaneK1234 Excuse me?
Miss you every day David. Thank you
This video is incredible. It's as hilarious, sad and bleak as the song - and the whole album, really. It was good to think that he could laugh at his own pain, make something beautiful out of it while finding the strenght to go on, for a while. May he rest in peace.
You have helped me through some real tough times right now David. Thanks for saving my life.
I really enjoyed this album when i heard it a week ago. I just barely found out about this man but listening to it now is even sadder. RIP
I’m crushed. This man has been “with” me (in my ears at least) most of my life. First heard him when I was about 14, and even during his long break the Jews were a constant presence in my life, as were his amazing poetry collections. Then he returns with an incredible new record, seemed to be getting better despite his issues, was about to tour... I was following his Drag City Instagram take over and he seemed to be having fun. His last upload he wrote “goodnight”. I guess he meant it.
Don't lie you moron...
@@nebod1556 ?
Berman has never let me down for a good tune. Love this!
It sucks that it took him dying for me to discover his music. Everything I've heard so far is amazing!
Natural Bridge and American Water are two of the greatest that can be found.
Incohate Necroplasma
I will second that!
But now you have the rest of your life to use what he left behind bto help you navigate
And the debut has some amazing songs too like new Orleans, underrated album
My Pillow Is A Threshold.
We are blessed to have heard the voice of this poor genius and we must learn to love from all he has said and done. Infinite Love to all united by David's spirit
Heartbreaking, funny and comforting too. David Berman is back in a big way.
☹️
I wasn't before but I'm having a great summer now!
The Avalanches Running Red Lights brought me here.
have a great summer everyone
RIP David, a huge loss to this world.
CZcams algorithm with another homerun by introducing me to great musicians in my recommendations.
Alex Aguilera CZcams either politically radicalizes you or introduces you to great music.
If you like this listen to Silver Jews! It's his first band.
Genius. RIP.
This the last gift he gave us r.i.p Dave you’re missed everyday
I don't know how this was in my recommendations but I'm glad it was- I feel ya brah!
So great. I love David's writing and melodic songs so much.
Another year is passed, miss him so much........
I hope he knew just how much we love him in his last couple of months. This is such a sickener. He was a heroic individual.
Heroic? He wrote a suicide note of an album with reference to Cassie all over as the source of much of his pain. That’s a horrible thing to do. She would’ve blamed herself either way but he sure tuned this album up for maximum effect. What a creeper. Genius but a creeper.
@@christiangasior4244 I agree. There is nothing heroic in suffering. He was a poet, but not a hero. A hero would have found the strength to live.
The feverish band interplay at the end juxtaposed with the singer basically fooling around is so heart wrenching for me.
Thanks Mr. and Mrs. B, I feel good too.
Despite the back story, I'm here just to say how great this song is and just how much I love it. Cheers David.
Avalanches brought me here. RIP David.
The look on the dog's face near the end is priceless and ties the whole thing together perfectly
I just have to say the words "darkness and cold" in order to get the chorus playing in my mind. I've never experienced this with a song title before.
This is literally him thinking about cassie after he's gone.
....
This might be one of the reasons he killed himself
@@ianloeb1672 Yeah there's a lot on the album about him feeling like a burden to her (particularly this and She's Making Friends...) , probably a factor in it :/
@@WallyBrando Reminds me a little of Anthony Bourdain at the end, but maybe that's a stretch. Not implying anything Argento-related about the crowd Cassie hangs with, for sure!
No it’s not. You didn’t know their personal life. It’s about feeling ignored by your ex you live with.
Heartbreak beautiful.
Particularly sad watching this video after watching the video for Sleeping is the only Love. At least Berman's sense of humour never weakened. That ending has me in stitches every time. What an amazing person.
I hope it's not all "darkness and cold" wherever you are now. The world will miss you.
Don't know many writers I'd consider both the 'old' and the 'new' voice all at once. Timeless stuff in the history of pop music folks, which I'm sure we can agree, is a rarity itself. Tell your grandkids about this! I hope we don't have to.
We must all learn from David more about these mental illnesses. Suffering and struggling from depression myself, I would have done everything for this man, such a talented guy with so much to give. His suffering was too great. In the end he did say recording this album was worth doing and I just wish he had done more of it before his sad passing
Berman my man, your back !!! We missed you and I think that I speak for all of us to say that we are stoked that your back in top form !!
Reading comments like these are breaking my heart -
K i just learned the news, through your comment, I knew something was up when reading it, I’m freaking out, this way to sad, like losing a real good friend. I met Berman after a show in Montreal and talked to him for 20 minutes, I have nothing but respect for the man ... fuck
@@MeanManu damn man I'm sorry.... your comment just gave me goosebumps. I'm so glad you got to meet him. It's just... fucking sad.
K it really is ...
This is so difficult to watch now
Condolences to Cassie
So far the most perfect break up record ever.
@ I think I am really sad.
I love the guitars on this one! Damn, if it doesn't get stuck in my head like no other. A+ Purple Mountains.
happy birthday man
A Fantastic comeback then.....R.I.P....
This song and performance is like a kick in the groin to me, for very personal reasons.
Ironically/not Ironically at all, the very next on the Playlist that CZcams made for me is "All My Happiness Is Gone" by Purple Mountains.
When my gf of many years kicked me out i'd sit in my parents house at night listening to this album on repeat sobbing and doing as much substance damage to myself as I could. Oddly enough it made me think everything was gonna be ok, at least he made it this far RIP.
is one of those songs that make´s fell fine even if you fell bad all ready
I wish we could have grabbed you David. You did so much for us.
Fantastic music video.
Amazing that he was still able to be this funny about something that was so painful for him. You would have thought that his sense of humor might have been a sufficient coping mechanism.
Best album ever