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Volume.1.Issue.5 |
High Flying |
Apr/May.2001 |
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Everyday: Listening Enjoyment
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Electric? Dave?! I know that this was my initial reaction when I first heard that the new Dave Matthews Album, Everyday, featured Matthews playing an electric guitar rather than his trusty and familiar acoustic. He had separated himself somewhat from other modern guitarists by relying exclusively on the softer, acoustic sound, which became so popular and recognizable with his fans. When rumors began to spread that he had completely switched over to an electric guitar, I was extremely unsure about the decision because I feared he would loose the originality that made him and the band so unique. My concerns were already numerous at this point, because the band had decided to switch producers, and were in the process of recording a whole new album. They left their long time producer Steve Lillywhite to hook up with Glen Ballard, who produced albums for artists ranging from Aerosmith to Alanis Morrisette. Consequently, all of the new and well-received songs that the band played on their summer and winter 2000 tours were scratched, and together, Dave and Glen began to invent a new sound for the band. The result is a much more funky, diverse, and rock oriented album that Dave Matthews fans and the music world alike are not used to. Even with their dramatic transformation, in my opinion, Everyday is a masterful success and the band’s best album thus far. The album’s first single and first track, I Did it, is very quick and aggressive. This song, along with many of the other tracks on the album, is much shorter in length at 3 minutes, 36 seconds, than most songs found on previous albums which could stretch out to eight or nine minutes. Many singles off early albums had to be cut so that they could be played on the radio. The lyrics in I Did it are direct and unforgiving. “It’s a nickel or a dime for what I’ve done/ The truth is that I don’t really care/ For such a lovely crime I’ll do the time/ You better lock me up I’ll do it again,” and the beat is quite thick with bass and baritone guitar. To me, the lyrics in this song sum up the theme of this album: “we have changed our style and if you like it, great. If you don’t, too bad- because we’re going to keep on doing it.” I think it’s a good song but not a complete representation of the album’s varied musical influences. The main focus of the instrumental voice of the band on Everyday is obviously Matthews’s switch to electric guitar. He produces such a rich, deep, baritone sound with his new instrument, which is extremely effective in complementing the band’s overall array of sound. In addition to Matthews’s guitar change, other instrumental alterations were made to create a fresh sound for the new album. The Dave Matthews Band is frequently compared to the Grateful Dead, due to their long, instrumental “jams” and “solos.” Everyday loses the mellow “jam” appeal, and opts to use each member’s distinct sound as a more equal contribution to every song as a whole. In short, there are few solos on this album, and each instrument compliments the beat and flow of the song. Though some may argue that a great deal of talent is being wasted, the way in which each instrument is used so precisely and economically attests to the talent of the group in its own way. It is amazing how the band extracts so much sound and “fusion” from each individual member in such a shortened amount of time. The product becomes more compact than many are used to, but speaks volumes about the band’s willingness and capability to create a new sound. Another aspect that captures my attention each time I listen to the album is Matthews’s lyrics and singing. I think that his tone changes from song-to-song unfold beautifully and allow each piece to progress from start to finish. Most of all, I think his sudden, accelerated and up-tempo singing style in several songs, such as When the World Ends and Dreams of our Fathers, aid in adding a change of pace and keep the interest of the listener throughout. The lyrics themselves are quite personal and expressive, which follows that of previous works. They are free-flowing and less ominous than the lyrics from the original, discarded collaborations. All in all, Matthews’s voice is very soothing, yet upbeat at times, while assertive and almost unforgiving at others. It is this vocal and lyrical variety that adds to the general mixture and range of the whole album. The vocal and instrumental diversity of Everyday makes the album enjoyable to listen to again and again. I’ll admit it took me a while to come around to the band’s refined sound. The first few times I listened to the album, I was unsure about the various changes that the band, and particularly Matthews, had made. But after about a half-dozen listens, the album captured me and I have not been able to take it out of my stereo. The songs do not become boring or monotonous-instead, you find yourself picking up on the subtleties in each note and string of lyrics that make each track so pleasing. I can’t emphasize the feel of the music enough; it is so full of energy and life, while at the same time, concentrated and individually harmonious. For those who are not familiar with the band, I highly suggest listening to this album and comparing it with the band’s two live albums, “Live at Red Rocks” and “Listener Supported.” These two albums provide an excellent compilation of the band’s earlier work, in the setting that has made their music stand out from other modern bands. They will also give you an idea of the modifications that the band has made musically on their new album. For those who are long time fans, you know where I stand. But please, email the Advocate and tell me what you think. It has taken some time for Everyday to gain my acceptance, but now that it has, I cannot praise it enough.
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