Tanglewood Numbers
Encyclopedia
Tanglewood Numbers is the fifth full-length album by Silver Jews
, released in 2005.
Like on all of their other albums, Silver Jews' principal song writer and constant band member is David Berman. On this album fourteen other musicians are involved in the performance and creation.
Tanglewood Numbers marked the return of Pavement
members Stephen Malkmus
and Bob Nastanovich
into Silver Jews. Malkmus had last appeared on American Water while Nastanovich had last appeared on the band's debut album Starlite Walker
. Cassie Berman
, wife of David Berman, also appears.
The album's cover is a photograph by famed Southern photographer William Eggleston
.
and Tanglewood Numbers, Silver Jews frontman David Berman
had suffered from substance abuse, depression and a suicide attempt. However, Berman was able to rehabilitate and he became more deeply involved into his Jewish faith.
During its recording, Tanglewood Numbers was nearly destroyed in a fire that burned down Memphis' historic Easley-McCain studio
, where the album was going to be mastered.
, the album has a score of 81 out of 100, indicating "Universal acclaim."
Giving the album a 4.5 out of 5 stars, Heather Phares of Allmusic, in references to Berman's past problem, wrote "Hopefully the circumstances around Tanglewood Numbers will never repeat themselves, but there's no denying that this is a uniquely powerful and moving set of songs." Popmatters
' Josh Berquist also gave the album a positive review, writing "Even if it’s not their finest work, it certainly feels like it is. There is a visceral vitality to Tanglewood Numbers that has never inhabited any album prior."
In a more mixed review, Dusted Reviews' Nathan Hogan criticized Berman's less prominent vocals, writing "...Berman’s a brilliant lyricist with 30 or 40 minutes to spare every couple of years, and his voice seems oddly absent from this record." However, Hogan concluded his review with "In the end, disliking Tanglewood Numbers leaves me feeling a bit like one of the schlubs who groused about Dylan going electric
... I suppose it’s possible this record’s a grower. For the time being, that’s the best there is to say about it."
Silver Jews
Silver Jews was an indie rock band from New York City, formed in 1989 by David Berman along with Pavement's Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Berman remained throughout and was the only constant member. During the last few albums, Cassie Berman became a regular member of the band...
, released in 2005.
Like on all of their other albums, Silver Jews' principal song writer and constant band member is David Berman. On this album fourteen other musicians are involved in the performance and creation.
Tanglewood Numbers marked the return of Pavement
Pavement (band)
Pavement is an American alternative rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. In their career, they achieved a significant cult following, and they were called the best band of the 1990s by prominent music critics Robert Christgau and Stephen Thomas Erlewine...
members Stephen Malkmus
Stephen Malkmus
Stephen Joseph Malkmus is an indie rock musician and icon, and a member of the band Pavement. He currently performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.-Early years:...
and Bob Nastanovich
Bob Nastanovich
Robert "Bob" Nastanovich is a member of the indie rock band, Pavement, as well as former member of 1990s bands Ectoslavia, and Pale Horse Riders...
into Silver Jews. Malkmus had last appeared on American Water while Nastanovich had last appeared on the band's debut album Starlite Walker
Starlite Walker
Starlite Walker is the first full-length studio album by indie-rock group Silver Jews. Released in 1994 as an LP and CD on Drag City in America and Domino in Europe, Starlite Walker was recorded in late June 1994 at Easley Recordings....
. Cassie Berman
Cassie Berman
Cassie Berman was a member of the indie rock band Silver Jews, which was fronted by her husband David Berman. She contributed vocals and occasionally bass to the albums Bright Flight, Tanglewood Numbers, and Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea,...
, wife of David Berman, also appears.
The album's cover is a photograph by famed Southern photographer William Eggleston
William Eggleston
William Eggleston , is an American photographer. He is widely credited with increasing recognition for color photography as a legitimate artistic medium to display in art galleries—which, until the 1970s, often tended to privilege work by photographers making black-and-white prints.- Early years...
.
Background
In the four years between Bright FlightBright Flight
Bright Flight is the fourth full-length studio album by indie-rock group Silver Jews."Tennessee" was chosen as the title track for an EP that also included "Long Long Gone," "I'm Gonna Love The Hell Out of You," and the brief "Turn Your Guns Around."...
and Tanglewood Numbers, Silver Jews frontman David Berman
David Berman
David Berman may refer to:*David Berman , actor and researcher on the TV series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation*David Berman , American singer-songwriter, poet, and cartoonist, member of the band Silver Jews...
had suffered from substance abuse, depression and a suicide attempt. However, Berman was able to rehabilitate and he became more deeply involved into his Jewish faith.
During its recording, Tanglewood Numbers was nearly destroyed in a fire that burned down Memphis' historic Easley-McCain studio
Easley McCain Recording
Easley McCain Recording is an American recording studio, based in Memphis, Tennessee, notable for recording musicians such as Tav Falco's Panther Burns, Grifters, Pavement, Sonic Youth, Come, White Stripes, Townes Van Zandt, Pezz, Jeff Buckley, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Guided by Voices, Lydia...
, where the album was going to be mastered.
Reception
Tanglewood Numbers has received mostly positive reviews. According to the review aggregate site MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, the album has a score of 81 out of 100, indicating "Universal acclaim."
Giving the album a 4.5 out of 5 stars, Heather Phares of Allmusic, in references to Berman's past problem, wrote "Hopefully the circumstances around Tanglewood Numbers will never repeat themselves, but there's no denying that this is a uniquely powerful and moving set of songs." Popmatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
' Josh Berquist also gave the album a positive review, writing "Even if it’s not their finest work, it certainly feels like it is. There is a visceral vitality to Tanglewood Numbers that has never inhabited any album prior."
In a more mixed review, Dusted Reviews' Nathan Hogan criticized Berman's less prominent vocals, writing "...Berman’s a brilliant lyricist with 30 or 40 minutes to spare every couple of years, and his voice seems oddly absent from this record." However, Hogan concluded his review with "In the end, disliking Tanglewood Numbers leaves me feeling a bit like one of the schlubs who groused about Dylan going electric
Electric Dylan controversy
By 1965, Bob Dylan had achieved the status of leading songwriter of the American folk music revival.Paul Simon suggested that Dylan's early compositions virtually took over the folk genre: "[Dylan's] early songs were very rich ... with strong melodies. 'Blowin' in the Wind' has a really strong...
... I suppose it’s possible this record’s a grower. For the time being, that’s the best there is to say about it."
Track listing
Silver Jews
- David Berman
- Brian Kotzur
- Mike FellowsMike FellowsMike Fellows AKA Miighty Flashlight is an American musician who has performed and recorded with a variety of groups and artists since the early 1980s...
- Stephen MalkmusStephen MalkmusStephen Joseph Malkmus is an indie rock musician and icon, and a member of the band Pavement. He currently performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.-Early years:...
- Bob NastanovichBob NastanovichRobert "Bob" Nastanovich is a member of the indie rock band, Pavement, as well as former member of 1990s bands Ectoslavia, and Pale Horse Riders...
- Cassie BermanCassie BermanCassie Berman was a member of the indie rock band Silver Jews, which was fronted by her husband David Berman. She contributed vocals and occasionally bass to the albums Bright Flight, Tanglewood Numbers, and Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea,...
- Tony Crow
- Paz LenchantinPaz LenchantinPaz Lenchantin is an American musician of French ancestry. She came to Los Angeles, California with her family at the age of four....
- Azita YoussefiAzitaAzita Youssefi is an experimental musician and artist based in Chicago. She is usually associated with the Chicago no wave scene, which included bands like the Flying Luttenbachers, U.S. Maple and Bobby Conn.-Background:...
- Bobby Bare, Jr.Bobby Bare, Jr.Bobby Bare, Jr. is an American musician who has recorded several solo albums, along with two albums with his band, Bare, Jr....
- Will OldhamWill OldhamWill Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...
- Duane DenisonDuane DenisonDuane Denison is an American guitarist. Denison currently plays for Th' Legendary Shack Shakers, The Jesus Lizard, which he recently re-united with after a 9-year break-up, and Tomahawk. He has played for Firewater. He began his musical career by studying classical guitar. Denison and ex-Ministry...
- Pete Cummings
- William Tyler
- John St. West
Recording personnel
- Joe Funderburk - Mixing
- David Henry - Vocal Engineer
- Mark Nevers - Engineer
- Roger Seibel - Mastering
Additional personnel
- Alexander Graham Bell - Drawing
- William EgglestonWilliam EgglestonWilliam Eggleston , is an American photographer. He is widely credited with increasing recognition for color photography as a legitimate artistic medium to display in art galleries—which, until the 1970s, often tended to privilege work by photographers making black-and-white prints.- Early years...
- Photography - Gerônimo - Drawing
- Jessica Jackson HutchinsJessica Jackson HutchinsJessica Jackson Hutchins-Malkmus is an American artist based in Portland, Oregon.She is the wife of Pavement band member, Stephen Malkmus. She is a graduate of Oberlin College...
- Drawing
Charts
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
43 |
| US Independent Albums Independent Albums The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels... |
50 |