Dave Matthews Band
Listener Supported
Running Time: 2 hr. 30 min. 36 sec.
Songs: 20 (2 CDS)
No Lyrics
What is different on the CD you ask? "True Reflections" which is performed by Carter and some back up singers. They played this song when I saw them in Hershey this past summer. Personally I don't like it. "Long Black Veil" a song I've never heard the band do before. It has a folksy southern feel to it, mostly because of the back up singers. You'll also get to hear a lot of what I would call "exposition" by the band. Most of the songs come with long intros or are stretched out, which is familiar if you've seen the band live. As with Red Rocks, at the end of the CD, Dave does another killer rendition of "All Along The Watch Tower" (a Bob Dylan song made famous by Jimi Hendrix).
Its kind of funny that when I looked back at my Red Rocks review, I said damn near the same thing about that CD. Like I said at the start, I think its time we got some new stuff from Dave and boys. Let me add this addendum to the review: If you like live music and the band in concert, this CD will fit the bill for you. Personally, however, I'm glad my roommate shelled out the $20 in green backs for it and not me.
Have you ever noticed that when you find something good to do or eat that you can't seem to get enough of it. Time and time again you go back for more, but after a while you need something a little different (hell that can even be said for sex). Well Dave, we need something different! In the two years, Dave Matthews has released 4 CD's (3 of which are live) - Before These Crowded Streets, Live At Red Rocks, Luther College, and now Listener Supported. And as much as I hate to say it, this CD is simply a money maker with nothing new to offer for the fans. Why do I say that? 5 of the songs on this CD were on Before These Crowded Streets. 5 of the others are on his Red Rocks CD. 4 others are on Luther College. Am I saying I don't like the music? No. Am I saying the CD isn't good? No. But I am saying if you have any of the other 3 CDs released last year or in 1998…you've already got this one.
Beyond the fact that Dave
and the guys always seem to put together great albums, the sheer listing
time of this double album makes it a great buy. Personally, I hate
live recordings. There is too much talking and horse shit. Not here! The songs blend all the way
through. Most of the familiar songs
are on this one. So if you looking for a bunch of unreleased stuff,
go buy a bootleg. "Warehouse, Dancing Nancies, and Satellite" all
have great renditions.& My personal favorite on the album is the rendition
of Jimi Hendrix's famous "All Along The Watchtower." While the guitar
is by no means what Jimi would condone, it rocks.
The CD's also have a mix of Dave's fast and slow songs. This makes it a good CD for all occasions. You won't have a killer house party with this playing, but what Dave CD could do that for you anyway? I'd chose this as a Sunday drive CD or sitting around with your friends CD. Also, this is a much better buy than his newest album Before These Crowded Streets. So, if you like old Dave better than new Dave, this may be your last shot at hearing him doing things the way he used to do them. So, I say go out and buy it!
Well, as you might have guessed, Dave hasn't let us down yet. His new album Before These Crowded Streets is not only a good CD, it has a different feel for the band. The CD has 11 songs and one short extra track after the song Spoon at the end of the CD. The CD took off after the release of Don't Drink The Water on most radio stations.So, what makes this different from the bands other CD's? To me, this seems to be a little deeper look into the consciousness of the band. The songs seem to have a more serious tone or meaning to them. This can really be seen in songs such as, The Last Stop, Don't Drink The Water, Halloween, and Stone. But, don't fret, you still get some of the groove happy Dave sounds as well. Not only are the lyrics dark, but the music reflects a gothic sound as well. It's nice, however, to see him change up his program a little.
The true gems of the CD are Spoon and Stay. Spoon revolves around some male/female dilemma. While I'm not sure if he is talking about a sister or girlfriend, the theme is set for a reflection over a cup of coffee. The highlight of the song is a special appearance by Alanis Morissette. The good news is she isn't irritating like in her own records. Stay just has the fun loving summer thing going for it. However, some say this is the first hint of Dave selling out.....I don't buy that, but its your call. Overall, thumbs up. If you like Dave, you'll buy it anyway and you'll like it. If you are still not sure if he is your type of music, you may want to try is earlier stuff first. If you want to buy a CD to fit in with all your friends, put down Spice World and buy this, at least then you'll look cool too.
