Dave Matthews Band - Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King

[Gregory Robson]

Dave Matthews - Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
Record Label: RCA
Release Date: June 2, 2009

It's only fitting that the first album the Dave Matthews Band (DMB) releases without departed band member LeRoi Moore opens and closes with a sax solo. That opening song is "Grux," a two-minute instrumental, whose title is a shortened nod to "GrooGrux," a moniker Dave and bandmates gave LeRoi during his 15-year run with the band. It's a brief, spicy and accelerated introduction to an album that is easily the band's most daring, buoyant and emotional. It's also their best.

The ultra-funky "Shake Me Like a Monkey," is a sweaty, busy and frenetic romp with sharp edges, dizzying verses and a rollicking chorus that's arguably as sharp and sassy as anything the band has ever put down in the studio. Quite simply it's swerving energy is impossible to deny. Lead single "Funny The Way It Is," opens with a nuanced guitar, and Dave's trademark howl. The soaring and ecstatic chorus details the highs and lows of a life and it's a sentiment that seems to be most appropriate for a record such as this. While Moore was alive during pre-production, he never saw the finished product and that bittersweet sentiment is exactly what the lead single hits on.

The slow-jam "Lying In the Hands of God," begins with a hushed vocal and while melodically it doesn't really go anywhere, Matthews' vocals are crystal clear during the chorus and it may serve as one of his better vocal triumphs. It's chill and tame nature is a perfect companion to the band's prior repertoire, sitting comfortably next to the elegiac "Sister," and "Out Of My Hands," to name but a few. The album moves along with "Why I Am," a song that serves more or less as the title track, and whose lyrics prove to be a nod to Moore and his vibrancy for life. That energy is paralleled nicely with the funky guitar lines, blistering horns and its groove-based jam. There's even a fiery guitar solo and a soaring bridge to kick it into overdrive. While many Dave songs can sound like one giant party, "Why I Am," is the epitome of that exact sentiment.

The intricate horn work on "Spaceman," welcomes a poignant lullaby with a stylized acoustic opening that's soft and light and hearkens back to the band's breakthrough debut Under the Table and Dreaming. While the gooey sentiment of "Just remember, I love the way you move. I love the way you love me baby," is a bit trite, Matthews has always been known for throwing in his fair share of corny verses. The swampy, banjo-fueled rocker "Alligator Pie," is a self-indulgent, zydeco-like boogie with a clever guitar run and a batch of lyrics about his daughter Stella, and while it's an enjoyable song, it doesn't offer much to the album's full framework. It's a groove song, first and foremost, but then again so too are "Grey Street," "Two Step," and "The Best of What's Around," and they remain crowd favorites.

"Squirm" or as Matthews prefers, "Skworm," is a driving rocker with a huge horn-fueled chorus and an urgency and tension that brings the song to a simmering boil. Matthews is always at his best when he allows his vocals to soar to an impassioned degree that borders on seething and "Squirm," is a fine example of how he can do such a thing without compromising the song. He tries that energy again on "Time Bomb, " while chanting rather angrily, "I want to believe in Jesus," and for someone who has endured as much pain as he has, it's a rather believable declaration. Is it a bit overwrought? Absolutely, but no work of art is ever free from its shortcomings. "Seven" much like live favorite "Corn Bread," features vocal gymnastics, a slight scream, and far too much musical chaos. It's as painful as listening to someone with laryngitis and it's far too repetitive, self-indulgent and sex-obsessed to be considered memorable. The album ends exquisitely with "Baby Blue" and "You and Me," both shimmering examples that the band's best work may still be unwritten.

Rather comically, Saturday Night Live's Cheri Oteri once said "if Virginia is for lovers, it's because DMB got them all smashed," and while it's hard to argue that line, it's even harder to argue the band's place in American contemporary music. Now more than 15 years into what has been a landmark career and one that has rewritten the history books, DMB are proudly forging ahead and doing so valiantly without one of its founding members. Is the album as good as their prior efforts? That's certainly hard to quantify. All of them have a rightful place and truth be told, the buoyant and syncopated nature of this release is as solid as anything they've ever done. And yes like much of the early press has documented, it is certainly their heaviest album. But unlike most musicians, the quartet never deviates from their trademark: an innate ability to fuse a cornucopia of worldly sounds into a palette that traverses ethnicity, race and culture.

On Big Whiskey, producer Rob Cavallo (Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, My Chemical Romance) certainly allowed the band to up the sonic ante and the results are tremendous. Matthews offers his consistently sexy vocals, Carter Beauford bangs out elaborate, propulsive beats; bassist Stefan Lessard whips up thick and creative bass lines; and violinist Boyd Tinsley provides lively and spine-tickling violin runs. Though they certainly have their fair share of haters, there are enough that find merit and value in what they do and it's that devoted fanbase that has propelled them to six, incredibly consistent, organic and wholly original releases. Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King is a worthy successor to those six and it's that intensity that makes the anticipation for number eight all the more exciting.

1. Grux
2. Shake Me Like a Monkey
3. Funny The Way It Is
4. Lying in the Hands of God
5. Why I Am
6. Dive In
7. Spaceman
8. Squirm
9. Alligator Pie
10. Seven
11. Time Bomb
12. Baby Blue
13. You and Me

Jethro Tull, Traffic, The Police, Phish, John Butler, Bela Fleck

Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/davematthewsband)
Website
(http://www.davematthewsband.com)

[Cheesus]

amazing

[skyphoenix]

Love this band, definitely am looking forward to finally listening to this.

[crotheian]

This album is very good. I was a bit disappointed with Stand Up, although it grew on me after seeing some of the songs live. However, this album just blew me away!

[highfidelity203]

I'm so excited for this release and that review got me even more pumped....also very well written review...awesome

[Drew Beringer]

such a good album and great review!

[pleasedontpanic]

Loved it. Such a talented band. I might be saying this a little prematurely, but Everyday is still my favorite disc of theirs.

[Ryzenfall]

Great review. I'll check this out. Haven't listened to the DMB for awhile and i'm not sure why.

[on a frequency]

it took me 20 minutes to find this at best buy today... it was hidden at the most obscure end of a random aisle! but that's besides the point. dmb has done it again. another musically impressive album added to their repertoire. it's not my favorite of their albums, at least not after a couple of listens, but it is absolutely excellent. i'm so happy to know dmb isn't done yet.

[bduke13]

Good to see DMB get some love on this site

[astereo]

Love this album, and the concert on fuse the other day was awesome

[Gregory Robson]

Love this album, and the concert on fuse the other day was awesome
Yeah it really was an incredible concert. I was paralyzed by it. Did not leave my room. I was seriously glued to the TV. So amazing.

[heatherg]

Great Album, love this review! I can't wait to see them here in CT on friday and saturday

[con40dmitri]

not a fan, but certainly respect him as an artist.

[Liter-O-Cola]

Wow this many comments and no cliche, unfunny frat jokes! I'm proud of everyone!

This truly is a great album, I'd suggest everyone giving it a chance, even if you're not a fan of the band's previous work.

[iAMhollyood315]

I find DMB boring. my friend had a free ticket and i felt like i could fall asleep. ill check it out though.

[xdrummerxdudex]

It's a grat cd from a great band. It's too bad LeRoi couln't be there for the finished album. I cant wait to see them June 12th!!!!

[Brett9]

Great review! This album really is amazing. Honestly, it completely took me by surprise - I hadn't listened to DMB for a while after Stand Up, and figured their best days of songwriting were behind them. This album proved me wrong...really great stuff.

[RonStoppable]

I enjoyed this review, and album.

[guiguedz]

This album is amazing! Can't stop listening to it!

[spansen]

really? 85/92%?

i liked 4 songs.

[Jamos4184]

Surprised there was no mention of "Funny the Way It is", I think it's one of their best written songs, especially lyrically.

[n1asfan]

Such a great review, I cannot wait to get this!

R.I.P. LeRoi :(

[live4music]

I was just lamenting over the fact that I don't really dig DMB anymore. DVR'd a live show and it was so fucking boring. But this is a wonderful review and you have inspired me to give this album a listen.

[ddjamoos]

I was so reluctant to even read this review. I was sure it was going to be some sort of negative opinion. I've been a huge fan if the band for years and kind of let go when Stand Up was released. I was so stoked for this album and it didn't let me down. Great review :)

[Mochem]

Surprised there was no mention of "Funny the Way It is", I think it's one of their best written songs, especially lyrically.
"Funny the Way It Is" is mentioned in the second paragraph. Out of the four songs I've listened to, it was my favorite.

Great review by the way.

[newfoundmichael]

Wow, I had no idea there were so many DMB fans on this site. Strange.

[WFUJerseyJon]

Phenomenal review. Love the album. The Fuse concert was brilliant.

[The Revisionist]

I heard the single from this and I thought it was pretty weak. Of course, I think the only songs I like from this band are "Don't Drink the Water" and "American Baby", so I guess I am just talking shit.

[boscorelli]

good review, cant wait to see them next week, hope the setlist will be decent.

[Jamos4184]

"Funny the Way It Is" is mentioned in the second paragraph. Out of the four songs I've listened to, it was my favorite.

Great review by the way.
Haha, whoops. Shows how thoroughly I read the review. Only because I didn't need any convincing to buy this album. Pre-ordered it, with Live Trax, such a great deal.

[Bongi5788]

saw them at Fenway Park friday... it was a good time

[stonecoldfox]

ugh, still haven't gotten around to picking this up yet...I really need to get out more.

[fowruok]

I've been rather indifferent towards them since Under the Table and Dreaming (though I've enjoyed all the singles). However, I've heard such good things about this album that I'll definitely give it a listen.

[doppelganger]

hmm i might check this out

[DejaNew]

Great review.

[lindZ629]

A surprisingly decent review. There's not one song I don't like on there, but there's some I like better than others. Even the bonus tracks are all top notch.

"If you don't like this record, then you don't like music." Dave pretty much hit the nail on the head with that one.

edit: No mention of Dive In?

[pteargriffin]

this is a fantastic record and a well written review, i'm so pleased with this record, and the concerts, and i love all the promotion this record has been getting, part 1 and 2 of "road to big whiskey" airs on fuse tonight starting at 7:30 pm .. tune in! as well as they will be performing on jimmy fallon tonight, keep it up dmb!

[guernica5]

cannot wait to serenade a girl to ''my baby blue'' excellent cd, and thank you livenation for not fucking up my dave tickets with service fees today! just got my tickets for the alpine weekend! awesome cd, great job boys! rip leroi

[tbaum]

Yeah this album is amazing. I'm going to my 13th and 14th shows this summer and I have never been more excited. I started losing interest in the last year or so... but this album and that show on FUSE brought me back more than ever. Something clicked in that band. They are playing better than ever. I was face melted continuously watching the live webcast of the show at the Beacon Theater.

Anyone else going this weekend?

[Gregory Robson]

A surprisingly decent review. There's not one song I don't like on there, but there's some I like better than others. Even the bonus tracks are all top notch.

"If you don't like this record, then you don't like music." Dave pretty much hit the nail on the head with that one.

edit: No mention of Dive In?
After I wrote the review, I realized, "Doh! You didn't mention 'Dive In'" and for that I can only apologize. It is a great song and one of the better ones on the album. Thanks for pointing it out. I appreciate it.

[lindZ629]

After I wrote the review, I realized, "Doh! You didn't mention 'Dive In'" and for that I can only apologize. It is a great song and one of the better ones on the album. Thanks for pointing it out. I appreciate it.
No worries. I actually did the same thing today. I was listening to the album while reading the linear notes, and even though there's a page dedicated to the Dive In lyrics, I still thought Why I Am went into Spaceman.

I like the song, the only two that need more time to grow on me are Alligator Pie and Baby Blue, but I'll probably warm up to them soon enough.

[tonighttonight0]

What the fuck is the GrooGrux King?

[dpatrickguy]

whats your favorite song?

[Gregory Robson]

What the fuck is the GrooGrux King?
LeRoi Moore was called the Groo Grux King. When he died, the band decided to make him the focus of the album.

[WFUJerseyJon]

Does anyone else find it a little weird when he told the story about putting Stella in Alligator Pie that he STILL had to mention Grace? I bet Stella grows up to be one pissed off and jealous daugher/sister.

[Gregory Robson]

Does anyone else find it a little weird when he told the story about putting Stella in Alligator Pie that he STILL had to mention Grace? I bet Stella grows up to be one pissed off and jealous daugher/sister.
Completely inconsequential to be honest.

[Gregory Robson]

whats your favorite song?
Why I Am is at present my most favorite. One of the best choruses I can ever remember Dave writing.

[SlowButSpeeding]

Why I Am is one of my favorites, too. But does it even havea chorus?

[Here It Goes]

Yeah it really was an incredible concert. I was paralyzed by it. Did not leave my room. I was seriously glued to the TV. So amazing.
Hey, good review, I'm just unclear on one thing, and I'm not intending to hate on Dave Matthews Band.

In what way is this band a landmark band, and in what way have they rewritten the history books? Am I missing something?

[Gregory Robson]

Hey, good review, I'm just unclear on one thing, and I'm not intending to hate on Dave Matthews Band.

In what way is this band a landmark band, and in what way have they rewritten the history books? Am I missing something?
1. 31 million albums sold over 16 years, making them one of Top 100 highest selling music acts of all time.

2. Their discography:
Under the Table and Dreaming: 6x multi-platinum, gold status.
Crash: 7x multi-platinum, platinum status
Before These Crowded Streets: 3x multi-platinum, platinum status.
Everyday: 3x multi-platinum, platinum status.
Busted Stuff: 2x multi-platinum

2a. Before These Crowded Steets, Everyday, Busted Stuff, and Stand Up were all number one on the U.S. charts. Crash's highest-charting position was number 2. Everyday and Busted Stuff were both number one in Canada, and Stand Up was number 3 in Canada.

3. Two Grammy wins, 11 nominations.

4. Their U.S. and world tours have consistently ranked in the Pollstar Top 10, averaging 51.3 million in ticket revenue per tour.

ANY QUESTIONS!!?!?

[Gregory Robson]

Why I Am is one of my favorites, too. But does it even havea chorus?
The refrain: "But this is why I am, why I am, still dancing with the Groo Grux King," is what I was referring to.

I guess it's more of a hook then a chorus. Whatever. It's one of the best songs he's written.
Glad you dig!

[Here It Goes]

1. 31 million albums sold over 16 years, making them one of Top 100 highest selling music acts of all time.

2. Their discography:
Under the Table and Dreaming: 6x multi-platinum, gold status.
Crash: 7x multi-platinum, platinum status
Before These Crowded Streets: 3x multi-platinum, platinum status.
Everyday: 3x multi-platinum, platinum status.
Busted Stuff: 2x multi-platinum

2a. Before These Crowded Steets, Everyday, Busted Stuff, and Stand Up were all number one on the U.S. charts. Crash's highest-charting position was number 2. Everyday and Busted Stuff were both number one in Canada, and Stand Up was number 3 in Canada.

3. Two Grammy wins, 11 nominations.

4. Their U.S. and world tours have consistently ranked in the Pollstar Top 10, averaging 51.3 million in ticket revenue per tour.

ANY QUESTIONS!!?!?
That's impressive and all, and probably moreso in numbers than I would have thought, but hardly justifying the statement about rewriting the history books. They're a good band, but they haven't influenced an entire generation of music as far as I can tell, and being in the top 100 selling artists of all time is...I dunno, probably not as huge as it sounds. Isn't um...Nana Miskouri in the top 25 of all time or something? I could be wrong, but its a misleading statistic as far as this site goes.

[TheAtticusFinch]

I'm surprised you didn't mention anything about Katrina when you described the song "Alligator Pie". The lyrics, to me, suggest alot about the flooding of New Orleans.

[Gregory Robson]

That's impressive and all, and probably moreso in numbers than I would have thought, but hardly justifying the statement about rewriting the history books. They're a good band, but they haven't influenced an entire generation of music as far as I can tell, and being in the top 100 selling artists of all time is...I dunno, probably not as huge as it sounds. Isn't um...Nana Miskouri in the top 25 of all time or something? I could be wrong, but its a misleading statistic as far as this site goes.
Good call on Nana Miskouri. I think she's a pretty big deal though, and had she been American, probably a more household name.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I have a feeling DMB will be inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, when all is said and done, and that to me justifies me labeling them landmark and rewriting the history books. But we can agree to disagree.

The funny part is I'm not even that big of a DMB fan, I just think what each one of the musicians in the band brings to the table far surpasses what most of the bands on this site do on a regular basis. They took a fiddle, a saxophone and an acoustic guitarand turned it into radio gold. How can you not appreciate that?

[Here It Goes]

Good call on Nana Miskouri. I think she's a pretty big deal though, and had she been American, probably a more household name.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I have a feeling DMB will be inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, when all is said and done, and that to me justifies me labeling them landmark and rewriting the history books. But we can agree to disagree.

The funny part is I'm not even that big of a DMB fan, I just think what each one of the musicians in the band brings to the table far surpasses what most of the bands on this site do on a regular basis. They took a fiddle, a saxophone and an acoustic guitarand turned it into radio gold. How can you not appreciate that?
That's true. I do enjoy quite a few of their songs, "Crash", "The Space Between", "American Baby", "Where Are You Going?"...actually, I love all of those songs. I guess they're just one of those bands that never really stood out as much as they should have for me.

Based on those songs, are there any tunes off this album I should particularly be checking out? I know you referred to it as their hardest album, but I've always enjoyed their down-tempo stuff more. I might still give this album a listen after all.

[lindZ629]

That's true. I do enjoy quite a few of their songs, "Crash", "The Space Between", "American Baby", "Where Are You Going?"...actually, I love all of those songs. I guess they're just one of those bands that never really stood out as much as they should have for me.

Based on those songs, are there any tunes off this album I should particularly be checking out? I know you referred to it as their hardest album, but I've always enjoyed their down-tempo stuff more. I might still give this album a listen after all.
There's a mixture of harder rock and slower songs on this album. You & Me is quickly becoming one of my favorites on the album. Baby Blue is kind of like an evolved Sister, which uses the same riff (never released, but played on tours a lot), so check both of those out. Lying In The Hands of God is very down-tempo as is Dive In, and Spaceman too. The rest are more upbeat, but you should still check those out.

On the topic of slower songs, you should really listen to Crush from their album Before These Crowded Streets. In my opinion, it's one of their best. A great love song.

[Here It Goes]

There's a mixture of harder rock and slower songs on this album. You & Me is quickly becoming one of my favorites on the album. Baby Blue is kind of like an evolved Sister, which uses the same riff (never released, but played on tours a lot), so check both of those out. Lying In The Hands of God is very down-tempo as is Dive In, and Spaceman too. The rest are more upbeat, but you should still check those out.

On the topic of slower songs, you should really listen to Crush from their album Before These Crowded Streets. In my opinion, it's one of their best. A great love song.
I will check out Crush, thanks a mill.

[Cheesus]

Yeah it really was an incredible concert. I was paralyzed by it. Did not leave my room. I was seriously glued to the TV. So amazing.

lol if seeing them on TV left you paralyzed, do NOT see them live. You will die

[what_ever]

this album is fucking fantastic

[HometownHero]

Such a boring band. Actually fell asleep at the arena I saw them at awhile back with my dad who is a big fan. Yeah that boring

[JunkBondTrader]

Such a boring band. Actually fell asleep at the arena I saw them at awhile back with my dad who is a big fan. Yeah that boring
wow. i mean you can have an opinion if you like or dislike a band....but to say one of the most explosive and dynamic live bands of the past 2 decades is boring you must just not have an ear for music. carter beauford is the best drummer alvie right now.

[Gregory Robson]

wow. i mean you can have an opinion if you like or dislike a band....but to say one of the most explosive and dynamic live bands of the past 2 decades is boring you must just not have an ear for music. carter beauford is the best drummer alvie right now.
Yeah, he really is.

[hi_mynameisdrew]

This album just hasn't clicked with me at all. As soon as I heard the lead single, the overall production just didn't sit well with me. It sounds like they're trying so hard to write solid songs, rather than just letting them happen. It sounds forced, not organic like their earlier work. Reminded me of hearing 311's Uplifter. Just.... forced, is all I can really say. That little ascending guitar riff after the "Funny The Way It Is" chorus is borderline laughable.

I'll just stick with Before These Crowded Streets. They'll never top that album, IMO :\

[Gregory Robson]

This album just hasn't clicked with me at all. As soon as I heard the lead single, the overall production just didn't sit well with me. It sounds like they're trying so hard to write solid songs, rather than just letting them happen. It sounds forced, not organic like their earlier work. Reminded me of hearing 311's Uplifter. Just.... forced, is all I can really say. That little ascending guitar riff after the "Funny The Way It Is" chorus is borderline laughable.

I'll just stick with Before These Crowded Streets. They'll never top that album, IMO :\
Won't disagree with you there. It's a hard album to top. But this record does come close in places.