Today the 7th major label studio album from the Dave Matthews Band was released. As a hardcore fan since 1999, I can attest that it has been a rocky decade for the band. While the live shows (which are still powered by their hits from the 1990s) have never lacked the "magic," I feel that the 21st Century version of the band has never quite regained the midas touch that seemed to come so easily for them during the years when their records were produced by Steve Lillywhite.
Today is a red letter day for DMB. Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King is a bold statement, a rebirth. The music sounds very little like the band I grew up with, but I am as enamored with the sound as much as I was when my ears fell in love with Arcade Fire's Funeral or Bruce Springsteen's Born To Run.
I can't begin to compare it to the Big 3 (Under the Table and Dreaming, Crash, and Before These Crowded Streets) because to do so would be comparing apples to oranges. No, apples to mangos. But I believe that when music historians organize the music that defined this band, it will be the Big 3 & Big Whiskey.
I have found my first "wow" record of 2009. This band is one of a kind. And after ten years of memorable music, it's why I am still here dancin' with the GrooGrux Kings.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
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