Although Berman begrudged that Silver Jews was at times viewed as a side-project to Malkmus' band Pavement, it was that connection that led to his signing with indie label Drag City, who would release all of Berman's subsequent albums. The Jews' would go onto become closely linked with the label and adjacent bands. The band's first EPs, "Dime Map of the Reef" and "The Arizona Record", were not commercially successful but did see them garner attention, in a relative cult-like manner.