Dan Bern “New American Language”

A re-release of visionary songwriting every bit as relevant in today’s world.

To describe American songwriter Dan Bern’s output as prolific would be something of an understatement. In nearly as many years he has released thirty albums, he has written songs for film, is the author of several books, he paints and has both a podcast and internet radio station. Bern’s song tally runs easily into the thousands and his relentless touring has made him a ‘national treasure’. So why would such a creative force decide to remaster and release his third album? What is so special about ‘New American Language’? Bern’s fans, who include Roger Daltrey, (“he’s been one of my favourite songwriters and musicians for the past 28 years”), will offer reasons many more and deeper than this reviewer can offer but here goes.

‘New American Language’ was released on 9/11 so as Wil Masisak wrote in his liner notes, became, “a little lost in time”. But time has demonstrated just how Bern wrote with immense foresight. His lyrics brim with irony, lost innocence, philosophical dilemma, political awareness and pop culture. As Bern’s mood swings from humour to rage nothing is off-limits. From theology to baseball, science fiction to art, all come under Bern’s acute scrutiny. Defying any attempt at genre classification ‘New American Language’ fully merits another release. And for the first time a Dan Bern record will be available on vinyl.

‘Sweetness’ throws open the doors with its power pop that drives a wedge between fun and seriousness, “Can’t you just spin while I play/ Must you come up with a hundred and ten reasons why we’re alive today”. That sense of dialogue continues in the title track, “She said love, love, love is everything/ I said ok, I guess, whatever”. Bern’s lilting voice draws out this conversation to a gentle tempo with disarming harmonies until a menacing riff takes him into prophetic, darker territory, “I have a dream of a New American Language/ I dream of new beginnings/ I dream of saturation bombing/ I dream mostly about love”.

Bern tries to keep his inner whirlwinds at bay on ‘Black Tornado’ before descending into deeper personal turmoil in ‘Albuquerque Lullaby’ by offering gentle acoustic solace. Comparisons with other artists do not come easily. Springsteen in his bleak ‘Nebraska’ perhaps, or Guthrie. ‘Alaska Highway’ brings to mind Neil Young as percussion and electric guitars crash together. Lyrically the song hosts a bizarre cast, “While riding down the highway with Cowboy Joe/ I met Leonardo DiCaprio/ Leo, he’s tryin’ to get away from/ The unwanted advances of Eminem”. Kurt Cobain pops up in the particularly chilling ‘God Said No’. In little more than a whisper Bern seeks the Almighty’s permission to bring back Kurt. The answer is an unsurprising and definitive no.

‘Thanksgiving Day Parade’ marches the album to a magnificent finale. A vast meandering monologue worthy of Bob himself, Bern even sounds like Dylan as he weaves personal frivolity with historical figures, places into an anarchic tapestry. “And life is like a fairy tale/ Every step feels like a dream” sums it all up. The wailing harmonica over a joyful band, echoes of organ and multiple guitars are a useful reminder of the superb musicians on this record.

If Dan Bern is new to you then ‘New American Language’ is a good place to start but keep going. Among that back catalogue are some gems, one perhaps for AUK readers being ‘Drifter’,  his venture into American roots music. And there is a new album, ‘Starting Over’ coming out very soon.