Tanglewood Numbers

In the four years between Bright Flight 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.[http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=16451 Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles article: "Silver Jews Singer Polishes Up Dirty Past"]

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.Phares, Heather. [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/silver-jews-p41541/biography Silver Jews - Biography]. Allmusic. Retrieved 19 June 2011

{{music ratings

| MC = 81/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/tanglewood-numbers-mw0000387222 |title=Silver Jews: Tanglewood Numbers |last=Phares |first=Heather |website=AllMusic |access-date=2018-09-17}}

| rev2 = Alternative Press

| rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}The fullest sounding Silver Jews album to date. [Nov 2005, p.210]

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3score = B+10 charming ditties about depression. [28 Oct 2005, p.84]

| rev4 = Mojo

| rev4score = {{rating|4|5}}A timely reminder of how speculative and exciting American alternative rock was before it discovered Duran Duran and money. [Nov 2005, p.100]

| rev5 = Pitchfork

| rev5Score = 7.9/10{{Cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/7163-tanglewood-numbers/ |title=Silver Jews: Tanglewood Numbers Album Review |last=Howe |first=Brian |date=2005-10-21 |website=Pitchfork |language=en |access-date=2018-09-17}}

| rev6 = PopMatters

| rev6Score = 8/10{{Cite web |url=https://www.popmatters.com/silverjews-tanglewood-2496080739.html |title=Silver Jews: Tanglewood Numbers |last=Berquist |first=Josh |date=2005-10-20 |website=PopMatters |language=en |access-date=2018-09-17}}

| rev7 = Spin

| rev7Score = A–{{Cite magazine |last=Gross |first=Joe |date=October 2005 |title=Silver Jews: Tanglewood Numbers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jOIh4tn8TGYC |magazine=Spin |language=en |publisher=SPIN Media LLC |page=3 |access-date=2018-09-17}}

| rev8 = Stylus

| rev8Score = B{{Cite web |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3474 |title=Silver Jews: Tanglewood Numbers |last=Powell |first=Mike |date=2005-10-20 |website=Stylus Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060217225809/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3474 |archive-date=2006-02-17 |access-date=2018-09-17}}

| rev9 = Uncut

| rev9score = 9/10A surreal, tender, revealing record. [Nov 2005, p.104]

| rev10 = The Village Voice

| rev10score = B+{{Cite magazine |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |date=2005-11-01 |title=Christians and Heathens |url=http://robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv1005-05.php |magazine=The Village Voice |access-date=2018-09-17}}

}}

Tanglewood Numbers has received mostly positive reviews. According to Metacritic, the album has a score of 81 out of 100, based on 32 critics reviews, indicating "Universal acclaim."[http://www.metacritic.com/music/tanglewood-numbers Tanglewood Numbers Reviews]. Metacritic. Retrieved 19 June 2011

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."[http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/2482 Dusted Reviews: Silver Jews - Tanglewood Numbers]. Dusted Reviews. 16 October 2005. Retrieved 19 June 2011 The Times Union called the record "OK."{{Cite news |date=10 October 2005 |title=Silver Jews' New CD OK |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VXw_AAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Silver+Jews%22&pg=PA24&article_id=5571,4482573 |access-date=30 May 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=8C}}

{{track listing

| all_writing = David Berman, except where noted

| headline =

| total_length = 34:51

| title1 = Punks in the Beerlight

| length1 = 3:31

| title2 = Sometimes a Pony Gets Depressed

| length2 = 2:37

| title3 = K-Hole

| writer3 = David Berman, Mike Fellows

| length3 = 2:38

| title4 = Animal Shapes

| length4 = 3:00

| title5 = I'm Getting Back into Getting Back into You

| length5 = 2:34

| title6 = How Can I Love You If You Won't Lie Down

| length6 = 2:01

| title7 = The Poor, the Fair and the Good

| writer7 = {{hlist|Berman|Cassie Berman}}

| length7 = 4:14

| title8 = Sleeping Is the Only Love

| length8 = 2:56

| title9 = The Farmer's Hotel

| writer9 = {{hlist|Berman|Stephen Malkmus|Gate Pratt|Jeff Grosfeld}}

| length9 = 7:03

| title10 = There Is a Place

| length10 = 4:19

}}

The following people contributed to Tanglewood Numbers:[http://www.allmusic.com/album/tanglewood-numbers-r733383/credits Tanglewood Numbers - Credits]. Allmusic. Retrieved 19 June 2011.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• David Berman
• Brian Kotzur
• Mike Fellows
• Stephen Malkmus
• Bob Nastanovich
• Cassie Berman
• Tony Crow
• Paz Lenchantin
• Azita Youssefi

{{col-2}}

• Bobby Bare, Jr.
• Will Oldham
• Duane Denison
• Pete Cummings
• William Tyler
• John St. West

{{col-end}}

• Joe Funderburk - Mixing
• David Henry - Vocal Engineer
• Mark Nevers - Engineer
• Roger Seibel - Mastering

• Alexander Graham Bell - Drawing
• William Eggleston - Photography
• Gerônimo - Drawing
• Jessica Jackson Hutchins - Drawing

{{Reflist}}

{{Silver Jews}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2005 albums

Category:Silver Jews albums

Category:Drag City (record label) albums