Musictoday.com
Reviews EverydayIn
the last decade, the Dave Matthews Band has grown to
international stardom behind the songwriting of Dave
Matthews and the incredible musicianship of the band.
Considered unique in its ability to jam hard while
being led by an acoustic guitar-strumming front man,
DMB has seldom strayed from the blueprint of success
that has served it so well. Previously, Dave's
acoustic work had given the band an organic,
homegrown feel; on Everyday, Dave Matthews
retires his beloved acoustic guitar for an electric.
One might not think such a minor change could affect
the sound of the entire group, but it does.
For all intents and purposes, Everyday has a
much larger pop sound than DMB's previous efforts.
Many long-time fans may have a hard time adjusting to
the new plugged-in sound that highlights the virtuoso
playing of drummer Carter Beauford and bassist Stefan
Lessard. In this format, the other two
instrumentalistsLeroi Moore (sax) and Boyd
Tinsley (fiddle)are left in a more subdued,
background role, only to surface at crucial moments
with intense results. Still, as much as this is a new
direction for the band, some things have not changed.
Dave Matthews has always put all of himself into
every song he has written, wearing his emotions on
his sleeve while addressing life's small details.
Matthews' considerable talent for writing love songs
has not been lost either"The Space Between
Us," "Angel," and "Sleep To Dream
Her" still grasp the depth and intensity of many
of his earlier relationship ballads. On Everyday,
he addresses the dichotomy of fame and music on
"I Did It," a song that smacks of new
producer Glen Ballard's pop-savvy production.
Ballard's presence seeps into the structure of the
songs, trading some of the band's trademark extended
instrumental sections for tighter, radio-friendly
arrangements. Fans will most likely be treated to
these longer jams when the band sets out on its
annual tour.
Although the music has slightly changed, one thing is
for sure: the Dave Matthews Band is producing honest
music with no shame. Tracks such as the introspective
"Mother Father" and "Dreams of Our
Father," along with the title songwhich is
packaged with two scoops of soulshould impress
any fan who may doubt the new course taken by DMB.
There is ample material here to satisfy the broad
base of listeners the band has acquired over the
years. Change comes hard for anyone, especially a
person like Dave Matthews, whose life affects so
many. Before passing judgment on the new sound, give Everyday
a few spins, and you might just find the old magic is
still there.
by Damani
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