Let It Rock: DMB Knows Who They Are

By Sues

Sometimes I think the toughest part about being a musician isn’t all the fans throwing their undies at you on stage or all the money you make from touring…it’s got to be be finding yourself in such a giant industry. Out of all the possible genres and sounds, you need to pick the one that’s best for you and stick to it.  You know – figure out  “who you are” (Yes, I sound like a Disney movie).

But seriously, if you’re not sure who you are, why is anyone going to like you? One thing you can say about the Dave Mathews Band is that they know who they are and they have since their first album. Now, with this latest release 15 years later, they remain true to themselves and their sound, while still trying new and innovative things. The other two new releases this week are still probably trying to find who they want to be, but I have faith they can do it! And now I conclude this public service announcement. You may now return to your regularly scheduled album review.

Dave Matthews Band- Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King

Let me tell you, back in the day I was absolutely obsessed with the Dave Matthews Band. Obsessed. As in, I’ve been to at least 9 concerts, listened to them non-stop, and knew everything about them. Then they started getting on my nerves a bit. Or maybe their fans did. It began to dawn on me that a whole lot of douchebags like Dave Matthews, and the band seemed to get all haughty and into themselves. So I slowly stopped listening. Not that it mattered because they weren’t coming out with anything new, anyway. But now they finally have and I figured I better give Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King a listen, if only for old time’s sake. And it’s not bad.

I really think Dave found what worked best for him and has stuck with it. The album reminds me of a cross between Stand Up and Some Devil, and I think most people will enjoy it. I’m not really into all the Southern-ish songs like “Shake Me Like a Monkey” and “Alligator Pie,” but it worked on Stand Up, so Dave wanted to continue. I really like some of his slower songs, like “Funny the Way it is,” which really makes you think about the world (like so many of Dave’s songs). In it, he sings, “Funny the way it is, if you think about it/Somebody’s going hungry and someone else is eating out/Funny the way it is, nor right or wrong/Somebody’s heart is broken and it becomes your favorite song.” And “My Baby Blue” reminds me of one of the sweet little love songs found on Some Devil, with lyrics just as enticing and romantic. The Dave Matthews Band knows what they’re good at and does it once again on this album. I might be turning into a little bit of a fan again. Damn it.

Paolo Nutini-  Sunny Side Up

I became a big fan of Paolo Nutini the first time I listened to his last album These Streets. Filled with hits like “New Shoes” and “Last Request,” Paolo got me grooving and had a unique sound to boot. I’m having a bit more trouble getting into his new album, Sunny Side Up, and can’t seem to figure out why he sounds like such an old man. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Willie Nelson, but to hear his voice coming from a 22-year-old is just tripping me up. However, the album contains many really well-written tracks and I’m loving the island-y feeling it starts with in “10/10.” The island-sound is a little discording next to many of the other songs on the album, though, some that sound very big band, while others sound country. Not to mention, “Pencil Full of Lead” makes me feel like I should be in the 1920s at a sock hop. What exactly is this album? A mash-up of a bunch of good songs that really don’t fit together? I mean, I like each song individually, but I just feel like Paolo could have made about 5 different albums with it, all in different genres.

Adam Hood- Different Groove

I had never heard of Adam Hood before listening to his new album, Different Groove, but since I’m always open to new country music artists, I decided to give him a listen. He didn’t drive me OMG, Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney type crazy, but I am enjoying him so far. He seems like a typical nice country guy, unlike someone like Trace Adkins or Toby Keith. Adam Hood is probably more of a Dierks Bentley, but with less clever lyrics. Not to say that Adam isn’t good; I think he’s just still trying to find himself.

I did enjoy the album’s title track “Different Groove,” which is what is says, a different groove. Adam sings, “I’m gonna find a style that makes me smile… Gonna put my soul in the music and find a different groove.” That’s an idea I can always get behind, but I’d love to hear a little bit more of Adam’s so-called soul. Surprisingly, I also kind like “Cars, Trucks, and Me,” which is so not a “me” type of song to love, unless, of course, a gruff country voice is belting it out. But this song does a good job of showcasing Adam’s smooth, boyish voice and the tune is definitely pretty catchy. Though I’m not yet going crazy over him, I’ll keep my eye (and ears) on Adam Hood to see what he comes up with next.