Grades:
Overall: A
Music: A
Vocals: A
Lyrics: A
Creativity: A-
Catchiness: B+
DMB was one of my first favorite bands. I know many other people can say that, and throughout the years Dave Matthews & Co. have gained an enormous following because of their energizing live shows, musical talent, lyrical prowess, and combination of styles. They have evolved from each album to the next, making changes from acoustic jam rock (Crash) to radio-friendly pop/rock with a twist (Everyday) to one of my favorite albums, the jazz rock of Before These Crowded Streets. However, their 2005 release Stand Up disappointed me greatly, as I found very little to love about it. Big Whiskey... takes DMB back to their highest form, though, and is one of my favorite releases of 2009 so far.
Lead single "Funny The Way It Is" recalls 2002's Busted Stuff with flourish, but the lyrics are a little distant and unemotional. Opener "Shake Me Like A Monkey" corrects that small misstep, however, begininning with a LeRoi Moore's solo saxophone, wailing at the listener with a Coltrane/Miles Davis vibe, and turning into a catchy pop/rock number while Dave sings "everybody get together, gonna make love shine." His recognizable vocals also penetrate on "Why I Am," sure to be a live hit. The song seems to pay tribute to "GrooGrux king," a nickname for the late Moore (R.I.P.). Other strong tracks include love song "Spaceman" (it's good to see that Matthews has not last his talent for lyrical romancing) and the slower "Time Bomb," a contemplative piece that sees Dave sing "no-one would believe it, except the fucking nutjobs/ they laugh and cry 'we told you so'."
Though Dave has abandoned some of the pop from his solo release Some Devil, the folk guitar of "My Baby Blue" recalls the tender sweetness of "Oh," and the funk of "Alligator Pie" is simply enjoyable. The album rarely falters, and when it does, it is only by being mediocre (the slightly superfluous rock song "Seven"), not poor. This may well be the best DMB release in over a decade, as it nearly begs repeated listens and works not only in the album format, but seems to be perfect for live shows too. There is pop, but not too much, and Dave's strong lyrics have made a solid comeback. It's not often that a band can release something with this much enthusiasm and energy after two decades together.
For the best DMB work in years, a collection of tunes that grow on you each time you hear them, a fitting last album for LeRoi Moore. Stream the album for free at Pandora.com.
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4 opinions:
worst review I have ever seen. Did you even listen to this pile of crap?
No. I wrote this detailed and concise review without listening to the album once.
Are you smoking something?
On second thought, you're probably just musically retarded...if you were smoking something, you'd like the album.
Let me ask you a question - do you listen to jazz?
I'm a hardcore DMB fan, and I'm pretty disappointed after just a few listens. Such a mixed bag...
The first 3 songs (Shake me, Funny the Way, and Lying in the Hands) are great stuff. Alligator Pie has a Louisiana Bayou feel to it, which I normally don't like, but it's one of the best songs on the album, and I can't wait to hear it live. Dive In is probably my favorite, has a real melancholic-pop feel to it that the band hasn't really done before.
The rest ranges from tolerable (You and Me), to live potential (Seven), to downright personally unbearable (Why I Am, Baby Blue). No doubt many of the songs will grow on me after more listens, and after being heard live, but for a studio album... not really that great. Carter's drumming, so good live, sounds as cluttered as it gets, and Dave's vocals aren't always great (his faltering voice in My Baby Blue strives for poignancy, but just makes me cringe). The whole production just seems pretty cluttered, and the most notable aspect was that very few songs jumped out at me - not a lot of catchy hooks here.
To say this album is bad is a joke.
This is a A- album at worst.
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