Gobuckeyes--I think most of the people that think it all sounds the same haven't listened to much Dave. I used to be like that.

#41 is their best

Under the Table is the only album that I would consider good/worth listening to again, IMO.

I had to listen to their last album, and I wasn't all that fond of it, but could at least see the appeal in it. I'd prefer it to win the Album of the Year Grammy, just because I dislike all of the other albums so much.

I do commend them for being able to play their instruments, but then again....if that's where I'm starting, then it's probably a problem, as that's what they're supposed to be able to do. Often times, their sound gets overwhelming to listen to, as I can tell that on record, they're so overproduced. I haven't seen them live in person, but I'm not sure how high my desire is, either, as I've watched them perform live on numerous occasions.

You take a band like the E Street Band, for example. Their best strength is that they know when NOT to play, or when to fade into the background and halfheartedly hit a tambourine....that's missing in the DMB sound, IMO. There's almost this frantic need, seemingly, to have everything going at once (at times), which a lot of people see as energetic, I just see it as sloppy. And, lastly, I just don't buy him as a lyricist, which is important for me...at least in a lot of cases.

I was in Virginia when this last album was being recorded @ the Haunted Hollow in Charlottesville, and the excitement that people had out there was cool to see. And I was also there when Leroi Moore was in the hospital...Virginia really loves DMB, and I always think it says a lot if a band's hometown hasn't turned their backs on that band.

Upper90 wrote: Under the Table is the only album that I would consider good/worth listening to again, IMO.

I had to listen to their last album, and I wasn't all that fond of it, but could at least see the appeal in it. I'd prefer it to win the Album of the Year Grammy, just because I dislike all of the other albums so much.

I do commend them for being able to play their instruments, but then again....if that's where I'm starting, then it's probably a problem, as that's what they're supposed to be able to do. Often times, their sound gets overwhelming to listen to, as I can tell that on record, they're so overproduced. I haven't seen them live in person, but I'm not sure how high my desire is, either, as I've watched them perform live on numerous occasions.

You take a band like the E Street Band, for example. Their best strength is that they know when NOT to play, or when to fade into the background and halfheartedly hit a tambourine....that's missing in the DMB sound, IMO. There's almost this frantic need, seemingly, to have everything going at once (at times), which a lot of people see as energetic, I just see it as sloppy. And, lastly, I just don't buy him as a lyricist, which is important for me...at least in a lot of cases.

I was in Virginia when this last album was being recorded @ the Haunted Hollow in Charlottesville, and the excitement that people had out there was cool to see. And I was also there when Leroi Moore was in the hospital...Virginia really loves DMB, and I always think it says a lot if a band's hometown hasn't turned their backs on that band.

i stopped after the first paragraph...if you don't think crash is worth listening to again than I really don't know what to say

Well, if you stopped, then you missed a very clear explanation as to why I feel that way.

Huge DMB fan here. Seen him live 4 times over the past 3 years.

Favorite Songs:
#41
Crush
Dancing Nancies
Grey Street


Favorite live recording is probably Dancing Nancies/Bartender Intro from Central Park. I have the DVD so sometimes when I'm high I'll watch it for a ton of enjoyment.

One of my favorite things about Crush and Grey Street, and a lot of other songs as well, is the slight changes in each chorus. In Grey Street the chorus progresses, and that's something not a lot of other musicians nowadays do.

His music certainly doesn't sound the same, but for the people that only know his radio music, then I can somewhat see what you're saying.

A lot of people say Green Day's music sounds the same, and I wouldn't put DMB in that same category.

I despise them and all that they stood for! BOOOOOOO!

Upper90 wrote: Well, if you stopped, then you missed a very clear explanation as to why I feel that way.

you can clearly state something that doesn't make sense...doesn't mean it makes sense. I don't see how you could think Crash wasn't a good album.

Lay off Upper--he at least came in and explained himself like I asked people to do if they don't like Dave.

derek bomar wrote:

Upper90 wrote: Well, if you stopped, then you missed a very clear explanation as to why I feel that way.

you can clearly state something that doesn't make sense...doesn't mean it makes sense. I don't see how you could think Crash wasn't a good album.

because people have different tastes?? how are you even trying to argue this?

derek bomar wrote:

Upper90 wrote: Well, if you stopped, then you missed a very clear explanation as to why I feel that way.

you can clearly state something that doesn't make sense...doesn't mean it makes sense. I don't see how you could think Crash wasn't a good album.

Did you read what I wrote? I'm curious as to what part of it you found to not make sense...but, Here, let me try it again...and I'll give my opinion of Crash by itself.

That album, IMO, was just too overproduced for me. (Are you following? does that "not make sense"?), and it was a bit jumbled instrumentally, so while the great instruments were there, the song structure didn't really enhance the sound of the band. In short, I often feel like I'm unsure whether DMB is a jam band trying to be a "legit" alternative band fronted by a singer/songwriter, or vice versa. And when there's that clash, it's not appealing to me. You take a group like Phish, they know what they are. They're simply a jam band, nothing more, nothing less. Do I like them? eh, not a ton, but I at least know what I'm getting into.

And the lyrics, as I stated, just really turned me off. Not that I'm a lyric snob, and to his credit, I'm not sure Matthews has ever really claimed to be a great lyricist, but I think that album really didn't take any lyrical risks, and it played to a crowd, at a time, that he knew would eat it up.

I can post examples of lyrics, and go further in depth with my issues with their song structure if you'd like, but I don't want to venture too far into "not making sense"

Fly4Fun wrote: I despise them and all that they stood for! BOOOOOOO!

I agree..cringe everytime I hear them..right behind Nirvana on my 'hate' list as far as music goes. Do I have a specific reason? No..it's just not my style as far as music goes.

Upper90 wrote:

derek bomar wrote:

Upper90 wrote: Well, if you stopped, then you missed a very clear explanation as to why I feel that way.

you can clearly state something that doesn't make sense...doesn't mean it makes sense. I don't see how you could think Crash wasn't a good album.

Did you read what I wrote? I'm curious as to what part of it you found to not make sense...but, Here, let me try it again...and I'll give my opinion of Crash by itself.

That album, IMO, was just too overproduced for me. (Are you following? does that "not make sense"?), and it was a bit jumbled instrumentally, so while the great instruments were there, the song structure didn't really enhance the sound of the band. In short, I often feel like I'm unsure whether DMB is a jam band trying to be a "legit" alternative band fronted by a singer/songwriter, or vice versa. And when there's that clash, it's not appealing to me. You take a group like Phish, they know what they are. They're simply a jam band, nothing more, nothing less. Do I like them? eh, not a ton, but I at least know what I'm getting into.

And the lyrics, as I stated, just really turned me off. Not that I'm a lyric snob, and to his credit, I'm not sure Matthews has ever really claimed to be a great lyricist, but I think that album really didn't take any lyrical risks, and it played to a crowd, at a time, that he knew would eat it up.

I can post examples of lyrics, and go further in depth with my issues with their song structure if you'd like, but I don't want to venture too far into "not making sense"

couldn't disagree more man...especially on the lyrics

Not my favorite band, but I'm definitely a fan.

One of very few bands that I enjoy live.

Die hard DMB fan here.

As many have said before, if you have ONLY heard the stuff that makes it to the radio, then yes, the songs do somewhat sound the same.

Their music doesn't sound the same if you listen to every album. In all reality, they have only had 2 "busts" for albums. "Everyday" and "Stand Up" which both brought some of their most famous hits to the world.


As for those who say, "I can't stand them because of what they stand for." What do you exactly mean? or are you just being sarcastic...


And I am definately not here to argue about why they are better than your band. I respect all musicians. The only thing you can't be wrong about is their musicianship. They literally have some of the best musicians in the past 15 years in one band and do a lot of things that many bands can't/don't/won't do.

There is a reason why they are one of the top grossing bands over the past 10-15 years.

As far as lyrics, I think Dave is one of the best. I can see why some don't like them, but take into affect that he puts many of the compositions, melodies, etc...together, outside of just writing lyrics and playing his guitar. If you know a lot of the background with the band, you would have a better understanding of many of the lyrics from every CD.

I am 20 years old, I have seen DMB live 14 times in Columbus, Cincy, Cleveland, and Virginia Beach. My dad is 61 and is a musician and has the upmost respect for them and their talents. So just make yall. Keep on keepin on!

dont like the music and the fans annoy me. its just not my type of music. luckily since leaving highschool i havent had to be around too many "dave" fans. the only thing i did like about him was his ozzy impression on SNL he did a few weeks ago haha.

When you first go to college, you either follow the dmb or radiohead. I chose radiohead.

Now I respect the band and I actually have pretty much all their records. I just got bored with them pretty quick. Jam bands have never been my thing and like upper I feel the dmb tries too hard to do that. Doesn't come off as natural to me.

some are okay--never was much of a fan