Dan Bern: New American Language : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Dan "this is your brain on Starbucks" Bern's wild imagination has always made him stand out amongst the conventional songwriter set. Whether comparing himself to the Messiah or just forgoing rhyme scheme to give his songs conversational structures, Bern is always coloring outside the lines. On New American Language, the Iowa troubadour argues with the Higher Power (on "God said No"), finds Britney in the wilderness (on "Alaska Highway), and declares he's "only eating rice from now on" (on, naturally enough, "Rice"). Lyrically, the album doesn't strike gold as many times as 50 Eggs or Smartie Mine, but Bern's plaintive, keening voice and dogged optimism shine through. The real improvement comes in the form of Bern's road-tested band, the International Jewish Banking Conspiracy, whose fleshed-out arrangements add serious musical bite. "I dream of your clock radio waking you up with my songs," sings Bern on the title track. With New American Language, he's one step closer to meeting that goal.

EVAN SCHLANSKY
(October 9, 2001)