On the new Silver Jews album, “Tanglewood Numbers” (Drag City), David Berman sings, “God must be cutting the clouds into animals shapes.”

It’s lines like these that have made Berman’s alt-country outfit one of the most beguiling bands for the last decade. In a deep, Southern voice, Berman mixes romanticism and smirk – but you’d have to look very carefully into his deadpan to see even the slightest crack of a smile.

“Tanglewood Numbers” is the fifth album for the Silver Jews, and first since 2001’s “Bright Flight.” While not known widely outside of indie circles, their 1998 disc “American Water” remains a near-perfect album of Americana – and includes possibly the greatest opening line of all-time: “In 1984, I was hospitalized for approaching perfection.”

The Silver Jews revolve around Berman – a published poet, as well – but has usually included contributions from Pavement alums Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. They again play here, as does Will Oldham, the harrowing singer-songwriter.

After a four-yar wait, that lineup built large expectations for “Tanglewood Numbers,” which are unfortunately unrealized. A more rock ‘n’ roll, honky-tonk album, it features a fuller, overstuffed sound that often includes the singing of Berman’s wife, Cassie.

“Tanglewood Numbers” is also a deeply personal album of darkness and survival – Berman has fought through drug problems in recent years. But outright statement isn’t Berman’s style. Instead, we have lines like, “sometimes a pony gets depressed.”

The lone great track on the album, though, is “The Farmer’s Hotel,” a seven-minute story that pulses with “American Water”-style rhythm and Malkmus’ trademark guitar work.

While “Tanglewood” is inevitably disappointing, for David Berman, one of music’s most underrated songwriters, that’s a sliding scale. Even the lowest readings rank clouds above the rest.