Here's one that you guys woud LOVE...

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

I believe my first post on this board was me asking how you felt about these guys. Now, while it's old, the review for Busted Stuff is up on ViewedAskew.com. Tell me what you think, and hopefully this will go over better than the Bowling For Columbine Review did. Even though I'm posting the review here, because some of you ARE that lazy, just visit the site anyway, who knows, you might like it...

 

Dave Matthews Band – Busted Stuff Review

 

To be honest, I never really got into The Dave Matthews Band, or Dave Matthews’ Band, whatever. I hated the fact that they picked the lamest name possible in the history of lame names for a rock band. I never understood their popularity with twenty-something, coffee house dwelling “whiter than white bread” folk that constantly make up the background of Friends. I was also glad to see other rock elitists trash them as well, even though he kind of looks like one.

 

So in short, I hated DMB for the longest time. Until now that is. I picked up the album and paid all fees due to our good friends at Kazaa Incorporated, and was all ready to bring the HATE~! I instead found myself apologizing to my arrogant drumming bastard friend (Carter Beauford is REALLY good), and my punishment was him kicking the crap out of me in his basement to some Dream Theatre. By the way, is it me or all drummers really that hefty? I don't know, anyways I bring that up because these crazy kids only seem to like bands with good drummers. Can someone please tell me of a drummer they know who thinks highly of the Beatles? Or Wilco? Or Radiohead? It always seems as if they give more respect to Slipknot than the previous, only reason being Joey Jordison(sp? I don’t give a shit enough to actually check). He seems competent in a musical setting, I will give the enemies that. Too bad the other eight guys don’t.

 

Oh right, the album. Well, suffice it to say, it’s damn good. It’s not as solo-driven as previous DMB (Yeah, I “Bought” some other stuff from their catalog too), but it’s not as poppy as “Everyday”. It’s in the middle. It’s not as big on the electirc guitars either, as it’s more acoustic-driven, meaning it still manages to foray into all kinds of stuff like R&B, jazz, and the occasional ‘folky’ stuff.

 

When I tried to “buy” each track on Kazaa, I found lengths of each song to be about two minutes apart. I believe that this is because the Steve Lillywhite Sessions (Original recordings the album was based on) were trimmed down. For what I don’t really know. My guess would be that they dragged, and to be quite frank they did. On the new album everything seems much more comfortable, as weird as it sounds, and all the music fits into place rather than dragging on.

 

Each musician excels at his instrument too. As previously mentioned, Carter Beauford really displays a great sense of syncopation on the drums, and you can tell that he learned everything he knows through a jazzier style. Lessard may not be Les Claypool, but he provides some nice bass lines here and there. After all, you don’t need to pop and slap to be great. Leroi Moore also does a great job, showcasing his classical training and jazz influence. I have even heard that he has helped Dave arrange most of the songs. That violin guy plays some cool shit too.The standout though is Dave’s “White guy with soul” vocals, as he carries every song. He has really good range, and “Grey Street” is probably my favourite track on the album for this reason. He really gets emotional, and the colourful instrumentals surrounding him are a nice compliment to his intense vocals on the track. I guess there is a reason for the name of the band. Individually, it’s easy to tell that these guys went pro with each of their respective instruments.

 

One last thing; something that has nothing to do with the music but I enjoy is the fact that the band has three black guys in it, and their fans are diverse and mixed, contrary to the Friends comment I made earlier. I don’t know why, but that just seems to be really cool to me, aside from their actual music of course. So in conclusion, it’s okay to be a rock elitist AND like these guys. Although I should point out that I’m not much of a rock elitist, because I still enjoy some mainstream stuff and I don’t like most of the new retro rock stuff coming out, aside from the White Stripes. Anyways, all feedback is appreciated, whether or not you liked the review, or agreed with me, etc. I always love to discuss and like to hear differing opinions, as I feel there is much good music that I haven’t been exposed to, and I enjoy hearing of new bands that everyone else is into right now. So drop me a line. Star Rating: ***1/4(Never good at these, as it’s always relative and I’m being exposed to new stuff all the time. But if you didn’t feel like reading the column, lazy bastard, this one’s for you.)

 

Anyways, take it easy...

[Guest Kinetic]

While you're there, read the review of "Girls In Prison." It's mildly amusing.

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

Goddamnit, can at least ANYONE make a thoughtful post, regarding the review? It won't take very long...

[Guest Spicy McHaggis]

Being the biggest DMB fan here... I thought your review was pretty spot-on and very impartial. You nailed it with naming their influences. These guys are really virtuosos. Especially Carter, who you pointed out. IMO, he's the band's most talented. Even Dave has said that Carter pretty much sets the tone. Throughout concerts you can see Dave look back at him to check that everything's cool.

[moral suasion 0]

Busted Stuff is am awesome album. Possibly thier second best next to Before These Crowded Streets.

 

Good review although I would have like to hear more stuff about specific songs. I also took the hating them to loving them route. But I disagree with the "Friends" comment. MOST of the crowds I've seen are stoners and drunk college girls. I think that it is a bad comparison because a stereotypical coffeeshop patron is nothing like the people in the Friends coffee shop.

 

I agree that "Grey Street" is the best song on the disc but its close.

 

I liked the stuff about the three black members. I've often wondered how the band would be seen differently if they were all white or all african-american. Either way, I think they would be significantly less popular.

 

Its nice to see some Dave fans on this board. In previous discussions they seem to be hated by all the smarks.

 

Where is your Bowling for Columbine review? Awesome movie. MOST important movie of the year and second BEST movie of the year in my opinion next to Adaptation.

 

I made up a pretty cool DMB ranking game if anybody wants me to email it to them. Is fun but extremely hard.

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

Yay! Bump up the Bowling For Columbine post in the Movies folder, and glad to hear you liked the review. I meant that's what I *thought* their fanbase was like, and I wrote later on that I was wrong.

 

I also want to hear about the people that hate them, and also what you thought of the review...

[Guest Nevermortal]

Good review, nicely written.

 

I still hate Dave Matthews.

 

[puts on Cradle of Filth]

[Guest Harry Hood]

Pretty good review, although I think that Grace is Gone and Bartender are teh best songs on BUsted Stuff. I love DMB and actually this is mired solidly in the middle of they're cd ranks for me, def. behind crash and recently EP

[Guest Spicy McHaggis]

I LOVE Bartender. Especially when transitioned from Big Eyed Fish. I think the best version of that song is on Busted Stuff, though I like the transition & Bartender on Folsom Field better.

[LaParkaYourCar 0]

You would be surprised how many middle aged people like DMB. There are more than just 20 somethings in the fanbase.

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

DMB is actually a far cry from what I normally listen to, I just suppose that I listen to a lot of different shit.

 

*Puts on In Flames*