Dave Matthews Band - Busted Stuff
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Free Music Notes for Busted Stuff
Free Music Review: Excellent
Hit: 5 Stars
"Busted Stuff", the new release by the Dave Matthews Band, is a phenomenal album. Highly recommended. I never listened to "The Lillywhite Sessions" mp3, which supplies nine of the disc's eleven songs. But even if you have, this record is so wonderful. One of the most incredible contributions to this album is Dave's writing. His lyrics deal with some more mature subjects, and delve deeper into one of his favorite topics, death. But that doesn't mean that the album is depressing, by any means (unless you listened to "Bartender" and "Big-Eyed Fish" a thousand times in a row).The first song, "Busted Stuff," is wonderful. Every time Mr. Matthews sings "You know she's going to leave this broken man behind her" you can't help but smile at this wonderful work. Next, "Grey Street." I can't put into words how much I love this song. It is truly incredible. I usually do not enjoy listening to the songs about death, questioning existence, et cetera, but this song is wonderful. I could listen to it forever. The power as Matthews' bellows that single word, "PRAY." Amazing. The third song is "Where are you Going," which has gotten quite a bit of airplay thanks to the "Mr. Deeds" soundtrack. Leroi Moore's sax solo in the middle is so joyous, as this laid-back, sweet song plays. "You Never Know," a song new to even mp3 fans, is nice song that delivers the message that you should not lose your dreams. For "they'll only be their till your dead." Next is "Captain." Honestly, this may be my least favorite song on the album, even though I thoroughly enjoy listening to it. It doesn't seem to flow with the rest of the record, in my opinion. Nonetheless, it is a very good song. Next is "Raven," one of my favorites. The idea of this boy holding the world in his hand, telling the man to take care of it, and the man twisting it, the world, is amazing. I love it. "Grace is Gone" begins like a simple drunk's song of lost-love, although you have to love the song for it's witty rhymes and sweet lyrics, however grim they are. Then the last line tells you that it is in fact a widower's reverie of the wife he lost, which makes you like the song even more. The "Kit Kat Jam" is a pretty instrumental piece, full of wonderful pizzicato from Boyd Tinsley, accompanied by Mr. Moore's saxophone, Carter Beauford's great drumming, and Stefan Lessard's rhythmic bass. "Digging a Ditch" is a nice song with a cool background of sax and a great guitar riff. "Cause I'm digging a ditch where madness gives a bit/ Digging a ditch where silence lives...Where all these troubles weigh down on me will rise...Where all these questions spinning round my head will die." The next song is "Big-Eyed Fish." It is hard to describe my thoughts on this song. I like it, and the way it discusses life ("Under the weight of life things seem brighter on the other side"). The way it describes three animal's path to death as they want to change things (like a big-eyed fish who wants to fly on the breeze outside rather than swim in the water). It's sad, but the way it is sung, it is another excellent song. And the closer, "Bartender," is a deep song. As Matthews' drinks at a heavenly bar, he asks the bartender to pour him the wine that Jesus drank. It is a song that seems to have been written as a result of last fall, but fans like myself know that this song is the result of Dave Matthews' thoughts about life and death.
All in all, the album is great. Possibly better than the lyrics is the instrumental music, that I am always astounded by. A lovely album, a favorite for all.
Free Music Review: Lillywhite Sessions Resurrected
Hit: 5 Stars
The Dave Matthews Band finally released the album everyone wanted. Once fans heard the band had shelved an album in favor of their last release, 'Everyday', they have been clamoring for the missing album to be released. They didn't have to wait too long as the tracks from the missing album were released on the internet and quickly came to be known as 'The Lillywhite Sessions', after the producer of the album.Most copies of 'The Lillywhite Sessions' possessed by fans were not of the highest quality, but comparisons to 'Everyday' were usually favorable. Many fans didn't care for the electric guitar tunes that the Dave Matthews Band turned out with Producer Glen Ballard on 'Everyday'.
Finally, 'The Lillywhite Sessions', most of them anyway, have been made available to the public in an official release entitled 'Busted Stuff', named after the first track on the album. Matthews and the band have been quoted as saying that 'The Lillywhite Sessions' were kind of depressing and had a darker tone. Compared to 'Everyday', 'Busted Stuff' is certainly a much darker album.
That being said, a couple of tracks from 'The Lillywhite Sessions' were not included in the 'Busted Stuff' release. They were replaced with two "new" songs: 'Where Are You Going?' and 'You Never Know'. 'Where Are You Going' is the first official release from the album. Both of these songs are considerably more upbeat than the rest of the tracks. However, the rest of the tracks on 'Busted Stuff' have been revised in some fashion, and the album is decidely less darker than 'The Lillywhite Sessions'.
Overall, this album is closer to 'Before These Crowded Streets' and its predecessors than 'Everyday', which should appease most Dave Matthews Band fans. 'Grey Street', 'Bartender', and 'Raven' are especially strong and will be familiar to fans that regularly attend the band's concerts. As far as themes go, death, loss, and doubt are repeated throughout the album. 'Where Are You Going' offers a soft love ballad and a glimmer of hope for the rest of the album. The bluesy and funky instrumental, 'Kit Kam Jam', is also a more upbeat alternative to some of the darker titles.
As usual, the musicianship on the album is first rate. Boyd Tinsley's violin and Leroi Moore's sax playing make a triumphant return after having been absent from much of 'Everyday'. Carter Beuford and Stefan Lessard are solid as usual.
My only real complaint about this album is that having heard most of the songs when they were known as 'The Lillywhite Sessions', much of this album is not new. However, in addition to the music, 'Busted Stuff' comes with some nice extras including a DVD with video performances of two songs. The CD also offers the listener an opportunity to access content on the internet only available to those who purchase 'Busted Stuff', including another video performance, this time of 'Big Eyed Fish', and the opportunity to register for a live internet viewing of a future concert. One can't help but wonder if the band included all the extras as an enticement to get fans that already have a bootlegged copy of 'The Lillywhite Sessions' to buy this album.
This is a wonderful CD, and the extras make it an incredible value. For any Dave Matthew's fan, it is a must have, even if you already have a bootleg copy of 'The Lillywhite Sessions'.
Free Music Review: DMB's Best Work Yet
Hit: 5 Stars
This is easily dmb's best work since crash. The album maybe a but shorter than Before These Crowded Streets, but in making the album shorter it keeps it flowing much more smoothly. From beginning to end this is my favorite dmb album. This album has instant classics like "You Never Know", "Grey Street, and "Bartender" that will woo in new fans as well as regain the lost faith of old fans that were shaken up with the everyday album. And now the song reviews. Busted Stuff: I like this acoustic version much better than the Lillywhite Sessions. And it has a nice mellow outro by leroi. Not much to say about this song other than it's a good opener but by no means is an amazing song.
Grey Street: Okay, I'll admit that I really didn't like the lws version of this song. It just didn't get me hooked like the Busted Stuff version. I love the fact that now you can hear every lyric and the music is really clear.....and dave's screaming at the end is magnificent. Definitely in my top ten dmb songs.
Where Are You Going?: This song is in a good spot on the album. I like the song alot although the radio kind of ruined it a little bit for me but I still really like the song and the placement on the album.
You Never Know: It's definitely the "Pig" of the Busted Stuff album. It has such a great feel to it and I love the line "What if God shuffled by?" such a great song. I has such a great feel at the end and the lyrics are quite amazing.
Captain: This a song that I wasn't really looking forward to but it is much better than people are saying it is. Much better than the Lillywhite Sessions Version. I love the electric in it and the lyrics are pleasent too. One of my favorite's on the album. Has such a jazzy feel like crush(off of BTCS).
Raven: I really am not sure what this song is about. I have read post's saying it's about priest abuse but I have no idea if this is true. However, the song is really good. I really like the lyrics and Leroi shines on this song.
Grace is Gone: The song start's off sounding like you're sitting on your back porch in the bayou. Then it turns into a drinking song and at the end you realize it's actually about a man waking up to find his wife's dead. It's a nice country tune though, and will make an ok single.
Kit Kat Jam: No lyrics, awesome song! It almost makes you jump when it first comes on. It has awesome energy and that's exactly what this album needed. Kinda funky. I was suprised that I actually listened to it more than once considering I usually don't care much for instrumentals.
Diggin' A Ditch: This song is a bit slower but it has a lot more gloss on it than the lws version. I like this song alot although it's kind of like Pay For What You Get, I can only listen to it when I'm in the mood.
Big Eyed Fish: Wow! I like this version alot better. I think it made the best transition of any of the lillywhites and the segue into bartender is perfect.
Bartender: First I've got to say this is my favorite DMB song so I'm a bit biased. However the band took this song and made it into a masterpiece. The dave screams are in there just like the concert version.This is easily one of the best studio songs....maybe the best. The penny whistle outro is so good too!
Everyone should buy this album..get it now!
Free Music Review: DMB shines...and proves to all they still have got it
Hit: 5 Stars
To me, "Busted Stuff" ranks second in the hierarchy of DMB albums, being brilliant but unable to displace the absolutely mesmerizing "Before These Crowded Streets" from the top spot in my book. It provides great music, and to all those disgruntled fans after "Everyday" (I was not one of them) a welcome sigh of relief. The mood is a bit darker, the lyrics even more head-scratching and apparently meaningless than even "Before...", but the instrumentals are lifted up to a new level of greatness. One definite factor: no guest musicians. It's pure DMB from start to finish, and the result couldn't be better. Here are the songs:1)Busted Stuff - a great great song, it has a very mellow pace that works, and shows an absolutely amazing vocal range from Dave: a definite hummer;
2)Grey Street - the defining song for this CD, second best in my view.Remarkably powerful, it makes you want to rise up and yell out;
3)Where Are You Going? - new song, very VERY slow, which works well at this point. Lovely sax ending by LeRoi;
4)You Never Know - this is oddly catchy, although the lyrics are not much. Still one of their good songs, it's on the limit but does not fall short;
5)Captain - does. If there is a disappointment on this CD, this would be it. I have trouble getting it, it takes quite a while to understand his beat and get into it. It's by no means bad, but definitely weak by comparison;
6)Raven - extremely dark lyrics, borderline incomprehensible but thought-provoking. Musically no complaints;
7)Grace Is Gone - by far the best song on here. Not only is it absolutely beautiful lyrically and musically, it produces an extraordinary harmony between guitar riffs and words at the critical points in the chorus. Sounds country (which I would normally hate), but I say it's pure Dave and one of their best of all time;
8)Kit Kat Jam - worthy addition, does it fit? Yes, it certainly does, simply because it's a damn good jam. No, they do not need lyrics. As long as they keep it short (which they did), it's just right;
9)Digging A Ditch - the slowest track on this disc, it might even get painfully slow. It's good to listen to only if you have the patience. In THAT situation, it works on a very deep level. My advice: take your time;
10)Big Eyed Fish - third best song on the album. It's so amazingly performed, and the lyrics are great (yes, you heard me - not silly, not dark, GREAT). It takes you by surprise and maintains that sweet sweet feeling all the way. The first time I heard it, I went back and listened to it again.
11)Bartender - this is classic DMB, somehwat reminiscent of the violence and passion of "Before..." and "Live In Chicago." It has religious lyrics, much like "Spoon" and "Christmas Song", and it nicely runs up to 9 minutes. Great closing to a great album.
In many ways, "Busted Stuff" is DMB's crowning masterpiece. It remains to see what they will come up with next, but this CD shows their ability to come out of difficult and testing situations, i.e. the "Everyday" fan-alienating and the Lillywhite fiasco, to produce pure musical genius at what I think is the peak of their career.
Free Music Review: Why you should buy this album
Hit: 5 Stars
...Almost any DMB fan has heard or downloaded the unproduced Lillywhite Sessions. A good portion of these fans would probably prefer that bootleg to the glossy Everyday album that came out in it's place, myself included. So the question is, should we buy Busted Stuff? I mean come on, Busted Stuff is just the Lillywhite Sessions with the songs "Sweet Up and Down", "JTR", and "Monkeyman" replaced by two new songs, right? Well, not really. There are several reasons to purchase this album. First of all, cover art. I'm not saying it beats Crash but the five face portraits inside the album booklet are pretty slick, not to mention the cover. Secondly, clarity. The album doesn't sound like a bootleg so you can understand Dave and can hear all the parts clearly. However some may prefer the bootleg sound over studio sound. Thirdly, enhanced stuff. And there's a bunch of it, including a DVD with concert segments for "Bartender" and "When the World Ends". The audio CD also has a webcast for "Big Eyed Fish" and a CD key for a live concert webcast to be aired July 26, 2002. So if you are planning on buying this album, hurry up. Some of the songs have had a facelift as well, my reviews go as follows:
Busted Stuff (9.5):
This song's just awesome. Not much difference than Lillywhite. Best song on album.
Grey Street (8.5):
One of my favorites, but I think I liked the Lillywhite version better. Still, upbeat and catchy.
Where Are You Going (8.0):
One of the new songs, and the current radio hit. It's pretty good, but I think I've heard it too much.
You Never Know (9.0):
The other new song, and it's real good. Positive lyrics, upbeat, great guitar riff. Odd beat.
Captain (8.0):
A little more upbeat and jazzy than the Lillywhite version.
Raven (8.5):
An older song, lyrics (which are completely different) are easier to pick up on than Lillywhite.
Grace is Gone (9.0):
The slide guitars are real cool, gives the song a country feeling to it.
Kit Kat Jam (6.5):
I didn't too much like this song on Lillywhite, but it's a little better on this album. It's completely instrumental now (no more Humpty Dumpty). Should have put "JTR" or "Sweet Up and Down" in instead of this one.
Digging A Ditch (8.5):
Almost the same as Lillywhite, but a good, slow song. Extended guitar intro by Dave is nice also.
Big Eyed Fish (8.0):
Lyrically this song is real negative, which makes it kinda funny. Not much difference than Lillywhite other than the verses being switched around.
Bartender (9.0):
Epic 9-minute song with a really cool penny whistle solo by Leroi at the end. This song shows that DMB can still jam forever and make it sound good.
Overall (5 stars):
Mostly accoustic, plenty of violin and sax jams, good variety, and enough difference from the Lillywhite Sessions to warrant its purchase. This album may not be what Dave wanted, but I still think it's the best album they've come out with. The songs aren't necessarily new, giving them a mature and pure sound that really shows what Dave and the band can compose.