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Realising that this review is the only one that I’ve written that has not been rated Very Helpful, I decided to delete my old pathetic attempt of a review and basically rewrite it so that it may join [ego_inducing_yet_sarcastic_mode_on]the high writing standards that I have set up for myself during the past year[ego_inducing_yet_sarcastic_mode_off]. (I hope that I am not breaking the rules or anything) I’ve realized that a 100 word review will not get you anywhere here on Epinions as most members seem to take pride and invest great efforts into their writing. I can but only hope to reach a portion of their quality but I’ll keep on trying nevertheless. Therefore I have set out to rewrite this review in order to partially reach my objective

The Review
Dave Matthews' sophomore effort is a beautifully constructed CD encompassing the lyrics and musical brilliance of a genius. While at times seemingly simple, this LP earns nothing else but awe. Dave Matthews seems to have wrought the perfect balance of moods, rhythms, acoustics and instrumentation that keeps you attached to the stereo and urges you to push play yet again after the final track. What impresses me most about the disk is that it has a live feel, as if they were constructed for a live set-up and you can feel the band's energy radiating dynamically in songs like the Best of What's Around and What Would You Say only to give themselves a break and relax a little with the following number the sombersome Satellite. This is a pattern repeated over, producing a very balanced and at times even tightly defined album.

Descriptive Song Analysis

1. The Best of What’s Around-4:18
From the very moment you put on this CD you are greeted with a no-nonsense sincere mood of the songs. The first number starts of with a snare fill-in which is immediately joined by an acoustic guitar, bass and Dave Matthews’ vocals welcoming you to sit down and share your worries with him Hey, my friend
It seems your eyes are troubled
Care to share your time with me
Would you say you're feeling low and so
A good idea would be to get it off of your mind
After this initial verse the orchestra is accompanied by a string section and the song goes directly into the chorus which seems to be directly intertwined into the verse as there is no clearly defined song structure, Dave Matthews and co. simply weave in and out of the chorus and into verse and again chorus without clear distinction. This number also has a saxophone solo somewhere in the middle and the feel good factor of the song is multiplied when the song comes to a point where a the lead singer is accompanied by backing vocals and sing repeatedly Oh, oh hey la, oh ho hey la, - easy to the ear and irresistible to sing along to.

2. What Would you Say - 3:44
A tricky acoustic guitar riff accompanied by a bluesy harmonica comes to a stop and then the drums enter thereby making the song complete. As an amateur guitar player I could never really figure out how to play the initial riff, which is actually the basis for the rest of the song, as it seems to have some syncopated notes made all the more difficult by the couple of bent notes which I find hard to define. Oh well, this could actually be only a testament to how bad a guitar player I am instead of the difficulty level of these two bars or so. Anyway, back to the song, it is slightly faster in tempo than the previous one but there isn’t a very distinct difference. The atmosphere is maintained yet this song seems a tad more spontaneous as it tends to give an impression of a stream of consciousness type of song, coupled with a breakdown featuring a wonderful harmonica solo, and a subtle sense of humour embedded in the fabric of the song. One of my favourite parts is when Dave Matthews sings Every dog has its day and every day has its way of being forgotten and then the band joins him in unison singing Mom it’s my birthday. Brilliant, simply brilliant as the song goes from one highlight to the next.

3. Satellite-4:53
The tempo slows down as a relaxing acoustic guitar single not melody line leads us into the song. The single acoustic guitar is soon accompanied by a lead melody and some quaint backing instrumentation and then the vocalist starts singing in a very somebersome, relaxed and laid back fashion:

Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping Tom for the mother station

The pattern is repeated but there is a build up in orchestration giving grander feel to the song as opposed to the forlorn sentiment one gets at the beginning.

4. Rhyme & Reason - 5:17
This song picks up in tempo and rhythm from the opening two numbers. It is basically starts of with a relaxed acoustic guitar verse but then enters into a more powerful chorus accompanied by wind instruments, of which the saxophone is most prominent. The arrangement of the song is much more complex than all the previous songs while Dave Matthews’ vocal delivery is somewhat darker and more serious. This is no wonder considering the topic of the song, just have a look at the dark tone and the desperation encompassed in the following excerpt:
How long I'm tied up
My mind in knots -- My stomach reels
In concern for what I might do or
What I've done
It's got me living in fear
Well I know these voices must
Be my soul
I've had enough
I've had enough
Of being alone
I've got no place to go

6. Typical Situation - 6:01
Another soothing start with a resounding guitar melody accompanied by Dave Matthew’s mellow vocals and a range of quiet and lush instruments. Although the beginning is somewhat gloomy, Dave Matthews and his band soon break out into a faster and happier sounding chorus, with an instrumentation build up leading up to a fantastic flute solo behind a string orchestra.

7. Dancing Nancies - 6:07
Judging by the title, you would be forgiven to skip over this one, as I had done many a time. And indeed it has the strangest beginnings of any song on this album as Dave Matthews exclaims rhetorically “Could I have been, a parking lot attended” and he is supported by an appropriate staccato bass and drums, making it hard what he is actually saying. Nevertheless, the song improves giving us various directions from the somber verse to the very joyous chorus section. The final part of the song forsakes the vocals and enters a purely instrumental section altogether incorporating a rich range of instruments of which the most prominent are the violins, the guitar and the saxophone.

8. Ants Marching - 4:33
Again you would be fooled by the title but this is probably the happiest song on the disk and it truly displays Dave Matthews’ guitar and vocal delivery. Additionally, this song shows the bands energy as an ensemble although, according to what I read, Dave Matthews was so impressed by his session musicians he decided to hire them. In any case this number represents fun listening and will get you foot tapping, but not singing along as again Dave Matthews sings in a very peculiar manner which incorporated unspecific rhythm and timing.

9. Lover Lay Down - 5:39
After Ants Marching this song pales in comparison. It’s basically a three chord pattern joined by a tenor sax with a feeble melody line. The slow pace just adds to the impression that the song is nice for relaxation but you’ll soon get over it.

10. Jimi Thing - 5:59
Jimi Thing picks up a little in tempo with a clever acoustic riff featuring three or four intertwined chords. Once more we are treated to a fairly similar song as the rest in the album thereby not breaking the mold. The only thing that makes this composition stick out is the solo played by a violin with a type of distortion effect giving a heavier sound.

11. Warehouse - 7:08
The opening acoustic guitar pattern gives a very dreamy mood and the initial impression is that this song differs quite a lot. However, again we are treated with the high quality level by the previous numbers as the song-structure anticipates several upbeat twists and turns.

12. Pay for What you Get - 4:32
This is sort of a meditative bluesy song based around three recurring chords played on acoustic guitar. The vocals are somewhat somber and the mood is fitting for a final number on a CD, or perhaps the final number in a smoke-filled bar before closing time. The waiters have started picking up the vacant chairs and putting them on the tables, while a dozen or so people observe the single performer sitting on a bar stool with a guitar in the hand. Everybody knows its closing time but they’re just waiting in the dark room in order for the musician to finish his number before giving a heartfelt applause and leaving in a hurry. Well, that’s the feeling I get when I listen to this song.


A Fitting End (or what Epinions would deem The Bottom Line)
Consequently, Under the Table of Dreaming does not vary in musical styles, but what Dave Matthews and his colleagues had set out to do, they do it very well. I especially love the live feel of the whole CD and would truly love to see the band live. Too bad I missed the boat last time Dave Matthews was on a European tour.
I am so impressed by this album that it I would rate it with 5+ stars and if you haven’t acquired it yet get a copy it is definitely worth listening for any music fan.

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If you liked this Dave Matthews review you may also want to read my review on Crash.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Listening