Album Review: Tanglewood Numbers

David Berman and his Silver Jews have always been something of an enigma. Part of the Jews’ mystique was a lack of solid information about David Berman; his refusal to play live or grant interviews. But now, with news of Berman’s addictions and suicide attempts made public, the veil has been lifted. What’s more, it’s helped Berman create his greatest album.

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.