{"product_id":"silver-jews-the-natural-bridge-vinyl-lp","title":"Silver Jews: The Natural Bridge Vinyl LP","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.turntablelab.mom\/search?type=product\u0026amp;q=silver+jews\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSilver Jews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e were an indie rock band from New York City led by \u003cstrong\u003eDavid Berman\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003c\/i\u003eFounded in 1989, Berman's initial collaborators included \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.turntablelab.mom\/search?type=product\u0026amp;q=stephen+malkmus\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStephen Malkmus\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003eand\u003ci\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBob Nastanovich\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/i\u003eof\u003ci\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.turntablelab.mom\/search?type=product\u0026amp;q=pavement\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePavement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/i\u003e The music is ragged, lo-fi indie with a country twist, often improvised.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eAs Pavement increased in popularity, Silver Jews began to be considered as a Pavement side project, despite the fact that Berman’s poetic lyrics, guitar playing, and songwriting set the tone for the the group. This notoriety was of eventual benefit to Berman, getting the attention of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.turntablelab.mom\/search?type=product\u0026amp;q=drag+city\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDrag City\u003c\/a\u003e records, which lead to a string of DIY EPs and the professionally recorded LP debut \u003cem\u003eStarlite Walker\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eThe Natural Bridge\u003c\/em\u003e was recorded in the summer of 1996, but initial sessions featuring Malkmus, Nastanovich, and \u003cstrong\u003eThe Scud Mountain Boys \u003c\/strong\u003ewere abandoned after a few days. The album was eventually recorded in a former gun factory in Hartford, CT, with Berman backed by \u003cem\u003eNew Radiant Storm King\u003c\/em\u003e, Drag City in-house producer \u003cstrong\u003eRian Murphy\u003c\/strong\u003e and keyboardist \u003cstrong\u003eMichael Deming\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eThese new collaborators added a sense of spaciousness to the group's sound, adding some expanse in contrast to the claustrophobic early recordings. The words are still the most important part, Berman’s droll delivery enlivens his ironic punchlines, endlessly cynical over bright, study instrumentation.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eAlbum opener “How To Rent A Room” is light twang and a grown-up \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.turntablelab.mom\/search?type=product\u0026amp;q=modern+lovers\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eJonathan Richman\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e-esque stream of consciousness, “Pet Politics” is bass rumble and mysterious panning effects. We’ll avoid in-depth breakdowns of lyrical content here, but it’s no exaggeration to say that nearly every line sung on this record provokes thought in endless directions. This record remains somewhat divisive, but the melancholy and minimalism of this record makes it a standout in the Silver Jews catalog. This LP is pressed on standard black vinyl (the only way it was meant to be heard, really), and includes an insert with full album lyrics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eblack vinyl pressing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eincludes printed insert\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003emusic label: Drag City 2019\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003ereviewed by SCOTT ENGEL 09\/2019\u003c\/h6\u003e.","brand":"Silver Jews","offers":[{"title":"Vinyl LP","offer_id":17811583434842,"sku":"lp-10745","price":25.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0105\/4542\/products\/silverjews-naturalbridge.jpg?v=1759277354","url":"https:\/\/www.turntablelab.mom\/products\/silver-jews-the-natural-bridge-vinyl-lp","provider":"turntablelab.mom","version":"1.0","type":"link"}