DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
BUSTED STUFF

By Steven Snyder

This is not Dave Matthews' best album, but it's close.
It holds the distinction of an album without a bad song, a feat never before accomplished by this band. "Under the Table and Dreaming" had "Rhyme and Reason," "Crash" had "Cry Freedom," hell, even "Before These Crowded Streets" had "Halloween." And then there's most of "Everyday…"

But as I flipped through "Busted Stuff," track by track, nothing turned my stomach. In fact, the few songs that I initially shrugged my shoulders to grew on me. Few tracks on "Busted Stuff" will reach the radio, but maybe that's the point. This is not the watered down Matthews from "Everyday," but a more solemn, occasionally depressed Matthews talking about life, God, mortality, disillusionment. These are not all happy songs, but enjoyable and intelligent works about the human condition at both its ups and downs.

The story behind "Busted Stuff" is one of the better known tales of modern rock history. All but three of these tracks were originally made and discarded due to their modest pace and sometimes-depressing subject matter. Their longtime producer, Steve Lillywhite, was fired and "Everyday" was produced to appease the masses.

But then, the songs from those infamous "Lillywhite Sessions" were leaked on the internet in studio quality. They circulated among fans and many thought these songs, while still a bit rough and depressing, were far better than the three minute crowd-pleasers on "Everyday." In fact, Entertainment Weekly even went so far as to give the unreleased, but popular, Lillywhite Sessions a higher grade than the released "Everyday."

The band's decision to release the work on "Busted Stuff" is a vindication for Lillywhite, who may not have made blockbuster hits in the Lillywhite Sessions, but made damn good music. It is also the group's response to their fans, giving them exactly what they asked for.

So most of this material is not new to diehards like me. We are aware of the songs, their titles and lyrics. We know this new, depressed Matthews well. What we aren't expecting is a "Busted Stuff" that meets and surpasses almost every expectation.
I was not expecting the varied sounds of every track. I mean, every single song is different in tone and style. Even the Lillywhite tracks have been dusted off and polished. I wonder if the band had fun in assembling the track's play list, in spinning a listener's head from one track to the next.

Also, if you look closer, it's clear that every Matthews trend has returned. On "Everyday," we were happy for the scraps of "So Right," "The Space Between," and "Everyday." "Busted Stuff' is pure Matthews from beginning to end.

There is time for jams. One of the best songs The Dave Matthews Band has ever made, "Bartender," ends in an extended jam. "The Kit Kat Jam," well, speaks for itself. "Grey Street" explodes after each chorus with a full band moving ahead. And, in the album's biggest surprise, the new song "You Never Know" actually gets better as the music builds and becomes increasingly complex.

Matthews is also known for strong lyrics, an uncommon trait in most popular music. Thankfully, that continues here as well. "Grace Is Gone" is a heartbreaking song of lost love, "Grey Street" a depressing song of a lost soul, "Bartender" about a man questioning his faith and "Big Eyed Fish" a cynical look at an oppressive world.

But best about The Dave Matthews Band is its unlikely makeup. A pop band with a violinist, a saxophone and a jazzy sound, this is not a Blink 182 or Goo Goo Dolls. And, unlike "Everyday," they finally recapture their distinctive sound. There are solos, jams, jazzy themes and just something unique you won't find next week on the "new release" wall.

I literally felt goose bumps during several songs. Not just one, but many. As I heard the music, the ensemble sound, and the lyrics, I found myself engrossed in a CD for the first time in a long while. I would give you my favorites on "Busted Stuff," but there are so many. "Busted Stuff," "Grey Street," "You Never Know," "Grace Is Gone," "Diggin' A Ditch," "Big Eyed Fish," and "Bartender" are all exceptional works.

"Busted Stuff" may be Dave Matthews' response to his post-"Everyday" fame, a recalling of what made this band great in the first place and where they are committed to venturing in the future.

The CD's most frivolous and fun song, "Busted Stuff" is appropriately the first track of the CD, tempting the listener into the compilation only to blast him or her off-balance with the dark-themed "Grey Street." For those who became Matthews fans solely due to "The Space Between," SURPRISE!

I loved this CD. It is unique. It is intelligent. It is everything you hope to hear on the radio and everything so many bands shy away from. I can once again praise The Dave Matthews Band and cite a recent album.

PS - A note to music buyers: While most artists are focused and hell bent on fighting Napster, file sharing, and are looking into copy protection, Matthews has actually found a way of tempting people back to the record stores. "Busted Stuff" is an enhanced CD, and included in the package is a bonus DVD. Matthews has decided to give his fans something more for their $18 rather than bitch and moan. The CD links to a live web cast and offers special internet features. The DVD has live concert footage of some very good songs. Rather than fighting the fans, he has found a way to make them even happier for their hard-earned money! I doubt you will see Destiny's Child or 'N Sync offering a similar deal.

I hope his CD beats any other this year.

Best Viewed at 800 X 600 or greater
Design by David Johnson