DMB more than just a jam band. CD worth every pennny.
W. Dietrich | Las Vegas | 09/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I would like to state that I am a Dave Matthews fan and own all of his albums. Crash is hands down not only my favorite DMB album but on my top list of all cds (I own over a 1000 cds).
The DMB is known as a touring band that can take any song and turn it into a 10 minute jam. Most of the crowd favorites of any concert are songs off the Crash album. In my opinion the entire album is solid from the well known to the least known. I would be comfortable in saying that the DMB should offer a money back gurantee on this album since everyone that I know enjoys it including a buddy who listens to bands such as Slayer.
If you are reading reviews to decide if this cd is worth the money, I can only say put it in the cart you will not be disappointed."
Reject the rejects - I am a Proud Monkey!
Paul H. Rich | Seattle, WA USA | 03/14/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Before writing my review I read through most of the folks that rated this album one star. Basically, their brilliant analysis of this record amounts to "this stuff is popular so of course it sucks!" and "these guys aren't real musicians!" and "Dave can't sing". Okay, if you don't like the singer's voice for any band it's difficult or impossible to listen to the band. Personally, I don't understand the dislike for Dave's voice - it is certainly nothing akin to Geddy Lee or other vocalists that commonly warrant contempt (from others, not me: I love RUSH and the only vocalist that I've found I can't stand is Josh Groban.)
So the other arguments for disliking this record amount to "I dislike this record", "DMB sucks!", and "anything popular is garbage!" - now, perhaps it is just me, but don't those opinions sound like air-headed, anti-establishment high school sophomores with a chip on their shoulder? To me they do. I know folks that hate anything that gets radio play. Why do they hate music that gains a visible public following? It seems they carry psychological scars - perhaps they were in punk bands in their younger years (or still are) and never made the millions that they now resent being made by bands like DMB. I can understand that resentment, but it doesn't make DMB bad - it just makes DMB a symbol for those poorer, emotionally driven non-fans. So sad.
It is sad because Dave Matthews *can* be a symbol of what great music aspires to be. I quit listening to music on the radio perhaps twenty years ago because there was so much drivel (and commercials.) I discovered Dave Matthews somewhat by accident and that event was like finding an oasis in the desert - holy cow, there are still musicians making music with complexity, real instruments, real voices, and real lyrics! And this was just before Crash was released. When I first heard Crash I knew that Under The Table And Dreaming was not just a fluke, that there really was a band that would be making music for decades to come that would evolve, grow, change, surprise me, and make me hunger for more.
This is a recording that satisfies from beginning to end. Yes, I love Proudest Monkey! Every song on this record has something great to offer and Lie In Our Graves is one of the best songs DMB has ever created. Yes, live versions of many of these songs are perhaps better or warmer. I like listening to the studio versions as well as the live versions and hearing the contrast. If you don't like studio versions, choose otherwise! Pretty simple.
Dave Matthews is not for the individual that rejects what has popularity for the sake of rejecting what is popular. If that describes you then I might suggest you avoid learning what is popular (I have no idea what industry chart numbers DMB records have reached because I choose not to make myself aware of industry charts) and instead learn to choose what is good because it is good. I believe that is part of growing up and thinking for yourself, ironic though that may sound."