Tell me more about this band.

I picked up Tanglewood Numbers last week, and after just a few spins it has already worked it's way into my top 20 for the year---likely destined for top 10.

Where to go next with their back catalogue? Are other albums similar to TN?

Thanks.

Tanglewood Numbers is a sort of return to form. It's certainly more rockier than previous record Bright Flight, which teetered more towards country than anything else.

In my opinion, American Water is Berman's best and quite possibly one of my favorite records ever. Malkmus' contributions are perfect and Berman is at his wittiest. With that said, Tanglewood Numbers has been chided for lackluster lyrics, something Jews fans are used to. I think that is the problem that most people have with the record. That and a more prominent role of his wife Cassie on the record (I personally don't care). Still Top Ten for me.

Another to consider: Natural Bridge

I really like Tanglewood, though all of his records are pretty awesome. I'm hella curious about seing him live in a few months as well.

Yeah, all of the proper albums are worth getting.

I'd say go in this order:

1. American Water
2. The Natural Bridge
3. Starlite Walker
4. Bright Flight

While American Water is a fine record, Natural Bridge is my favorite of the Joos output, one that's grossly overlooked as Berman's 2nd or 3rd best. Berman is a champion wordsmith (and a relatively decent poet), but his writing talents don't always translate well when put to music. I love some deadpan in my lyrics as much as the next Ween or Frogs fan, but the latter half of A. Water starts to grate on my nerves as the Joos formula goes a bit stale (save Honk if you're Lonely...). I like this record, but overall it lacks the grit (BAllad of Rev. War Character) & honesty (Inside the Golden Days of Missing YOu) of Natural Bridge - you can actually detect Berman growing and improving as a serious musician. I don't get that at all with the Malkmus-enhanced A. Water.

Natural Bridge
American Water
Bright Flight

Also, check out his 2003 book of prose, Actual Air. Skillz dat pay da billz.

TN came in #10, I think, on my '05 list.

maybe i will have to revisit natural bridge. it was always me least favorite except for 'have you ever rented a room' which is one of the best things ever. for me, the list goes...

1. american water
2. starlite walker
3. bright flight

i only really like starlite walker cuz it features some good malkmus vocals. not too much of a fan of berman's vocals.

Yeah, Actual Air is great. I'd kinda forgotten about it lately. I should read it again.

I've kinda gone back and forth between picking Natural Bridge and American Water as favorites. Lately I've settled on the latter just due to all-around goodness. I don't really think the second half is stale in the least. I really like "Buckingham Rabbit", "The Wild Kindness", and "Send in the Clouds" a lot. I wouldn't say Natural Bridge is "grossly overlooked" although I'd agree it's a little underrated. Most people do seem to pick the albums with Malkmus as favorites, but I just can't deny the greatness of American Water (also far and away the best thing Malkmus has been involved in since Wowie Zowee).

Tanglewood Numbers was my 2nd favorite record of the year. Looks like the crowd favorite is American Water for back catalog buying purposes. TN was my introduction to the Joos. I'll be driving to Athens, GA on MAR 10 to see the first tour date on the first ever tour. I guess the E.A.R.L. is so small it sold out quickly.

Another reason to curse ever leaving Athens. Any chance Malkmus will join on the tour?

Wow, it really did sell out?

I'm glad I got my tickets!

D.Berman needs to make it out to the (West) Coast...

I think Bright Flight is underrated, but still possibly the worst SJ album...

...Tanglewood Numbers is the bomb but, if choosing, I'm a Natural Bridge man. I mean, it's hard putting "Pet Politics" & "Black and Brown Shoes" versus "Random Rules" and "Send in the Clouds"...but there's no going wrong with either album.

He does have a hot band on Tanglewood. Probably be a blast to see all those guys on stage making music. How big a band is he touring? I'd definitely rec American Water as kind of a modern day classic in my mind. Has the Pavement guys like the latest, although Malkmus was a little bigger part of the vocals and songwriting then as I don't think he was with Cassie at the time, or at least she wasn't backing his vocals like on this latest one. They're both great, but AW is the real deal and is a very nice sounding recording done at the Rare Book Room and mastered at Abbey Road, back in the days when Abbey Road mastering still often meant something good, not something to usually stay away from like it does nowadays. Nice laidback and warm analog type sound. A couple of the songs do sound kind of like the country side of Pavement, especially when Malkmus is singing background, but for the most part it's a unique mix of music and quirky but heartfelt poetry. And besides, Pavement never did enough of those "Range Life" type of songs to suit me.

Yeah, I went to their site right after seeing the post you made about having tix to the show. It says it's sold out. 40 Watt will be cool and my g'frnd loves Athens and Tanglewood Numbers, so it was an easy sell.

Honestly, if it wasn't a 1 & 1/2 hour round trip for me, I'd rather go see them at the 40 Watt myself.