Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Enlisting a cast of superstars and regular contributors (Will Oldham, Bob Nastanovich, Stephen Malkmus, Cassie Berman etc), the musical landscape is wide and open; any rough edges have been smoothed away, leaving the listener to enjoy Berman’s croon and some prime Americana. Only closer "There Is A Place" matches the dark intensity of previous SJ records.
The lyrics are as always pretty impenetrable, making reference to Natchez Trace, Andre (a "young black Santa Claus") a "girl in the special economic zone" and the fact that "Sometimes A Pony Gets Depressed"; however (like 60’s Dylan) what’s being sung is second to how it’s delivered.
For Silver Jews fans, then, their best record since The Natural Bridge. For everyone else, an introduction to genius, but for all, truly an album to "love to the max"! – Thom Allott
Product Description
Customer Reviews
Previous SJ albums have always tended to have a few tracks that you could happily skip but this one is awash with melody, orchestration and harmonies sent from heaven.
Legend has it that the master tapes were almost destroyed in a studio fire. After hearing the album (for the tenth time in succession) I couldn't imagine how tragic it would be not hearing this).
If you don't own this, put your order in NOW!!! and listen to one of the best albums of 2005.
From the opening seconds of Punks In The Beerlight, it’s clear that the music matters more than it ever has. With guest spots from Will Oldham, Bob Nastanovich, Paz Lenchantin and Stephen Malkmus, perhaps it’s not surprising that the music is of high quality, but more importantly, there appears to have been a shift in the way that the songs are performed and structured. If its predecessor, Bright Flight, was a muted country record, then Tanglewood Numbers is straight-up band orientated rock and roll. In fact, only the ballads I’m Getting Back Into Getting Back Into You and Sleeping Is The Only Love offer respite from the otherwise non-stop romp.
It’s no surprise that Berman - probably the most talented lyricist of his generation - refuses to allow his words to be overshadowed. Lines like “Andre was a young black Santa Claus / Didn’t want to be like his Daddy was,” allay any fears that Berman’s intentional drug overdose two years ago has dulled his wit. What’s more, his singing voice, nominally the weakest part of any Jews record, is more forceful and intense than ever.
It would’ve been easy for Berman to turn Tanglewood Numbers into a maudlin, autobiographical account of his drug addiction, but nothing could be further from the truth. As Berman chants “I saw God’s shadow on this world,” with almost insane conviction, you know that he has used his adversity to create an altogether triumphant rock record.
I understand that they are not so upbeat as on this album but 'Punks in the beerlight' is an excellent alt-rock song! a nice up tempo number with some good guitar work and a catchy chorus to boot.
I also got the album Bright Flight - which in comparison is a stronger album with some excellent songs. Although it does have a much stronger country - roots leaning than Tanglewood Numbers.
If you are rock, alt, 'emo', lo-fi fan who liked Pavement, but is possibly put off by the country music associations - then this may be the best album of the 2 to start with - its more direct and uptempo- and has some good hooks that a Pavement fan could catch onto.
I would reccommend this album for anyone looking at the silver jews from the Pavement/Malkamus connection - it also has a very good malkumus style song on it named "the farmers hotel" - his style is easily picked out from the more country tinged numbers on here.
Overall I enjoyed the album very much - other reviewers may have slated it but they sound like massive Silver Jew purists who arent happy with the slight uplift in temperament and tempo. I got this from reading lots of good things about the jews and personally i love discovering new types of music - this was not a let down.
if you think you sound anything like me - (a fan of Guided by Voices, Pavement, Lo-Fi, Tindersticks and Magnetic Fields) you'll most likely enjoy the album. If you want something more sombre then go for Bright Flight.
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
