Name: Natural Bridge
Brand: Silver Jews

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

dc101

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

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Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

1996-11-11

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Redeye

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

036172910113

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Total Cap

Artist

Silver Jews

Genre US

Rock-Pop

Label US

Drag City

Indie folk/rock band from New York City, formed in 1989 by David Berman, with Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Berman remained throughout and was the only constant member. Disbanded in 2009, Berman wanting to move over to "screenwriting or muckraking".
Silver Jews was an indie folk/rock band hailing from New York City. The group was founded in 1989 by David Berman alongside Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich from Pavement. While other members came and went, Berman remained a consistent presence until their disbandment in 2009. Afterward, he expressed his desire to explore screenwriting or muckraking.
With roots firmly planted in the indie music scene of the late '80s, Silver Jews garnered a dedicated following for their unique blend of folk and rock influences. Led by the talented David Berman, the band's lineup may have changed over time but their distinct sound remained intact throughout their career. Their decision to disband allowed Berman to pursue new creative ventures beyond music.

Back In Stock

The Silver Jews' 1996 recording, The Natural Bridge continues the band's shift from their early, sprawling racket into a smooth foil for David Berman's laid-back vocals and evocative lyrics. When sessions with original Jews Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich and with members of the Scud Mountain Boys didn't work out the way Berman hoped, they were scrapped; the final version of The Natural Bridge was recorded in the summer of 1996 at Hartford, CT's Studio .45, which was originally a gun factory. New Radiant Storm King's Peyton Pinkerton and Matt Hunter, Drag City producer/sessionman Rian Murphy, and keyboardist Michael Deming joined Berman in this version of the Jews' lineup, resulting in a more spacious sound than on any of the group's previous recordings. The Natural Bridge is also darker than the band's previous work, with lyrics like "I think we may be losing now/Please guard my bed" from "Pet Politics" and "Burnout tramp/Waits by the ramp/For one more car" from "Ballad of Reverend War Character." However, this darkness blends and contrasts with the wry, wistful "Dallas" and "Pretty Eyes." "The Frontier Index" combines jokes and a beautiful, descending guitar line for a really nice mix of ideas and emotion. Though The Natural Bridge lacks some of the immediacy of the Jews' earlier work, and Berman's voice slips into a monotone occasionally, this album offers some of the Silver Jews' finest moments. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide

Natural Bridge

Music US