Pros: A great collection of melodic DMB hits, good for a "first time" Dave listener
Cons: Not any I can think of...
The Bottom Line: Not only does the band perform with emotion and meaning, but they do it in a wonderfully pleasing manner. Under the Table is a great disc for any DMB fan.
ats3322's Full Review: Under the Table and Dreaming [12-Track Pressing] b...
First off I should admit that I am a huge Dave Matthews Band fan. I love the way he is able to incorporate true spirit and meaning into his songs, while still making it enjoyable to listen to. Without a doubt, this album embodies the Dave Matthews Band.
When I first walked into the CD store and picked this one off the shelf I was almost immediately confronted by a store employee telling me how great the disc was. Easy for her to say, right? But she couldn't have been any more acurrate. Under the Table and Dreaming, the album that put DMB onto the conventional airwaves, to me at least, is their most complete and meaningful work. The CD starts with "The Best of What's Around," a wonderfully upliftng song about trying to take the cards your dealt with and use them as best you can. From there, it only gets better. The compilation features incredible drumming by Carter Beuford (check out his instructional tapes on drumming, not only are they informational, but really fun to see) and decent (if not good) guitar from Dave himself. I comment on that only because skeptics of the band constantly criticize him for riding the coattails of his bandmates, while receiving most of the hype.
Dave's philosophical wanderings are once again seen in Dancing Nancies, as he ponders what life would be like if he had been someone else. I love this song, mostly because of the transformation it goes through. The opening lines are mysterious and unsteady (you hear the distant tap of a snare), but soon the band breaks out in the melodic cheery sound that fans have grown to love.
One final highlight of the CD is fantastic saxaphone playing by Leroi Moore. Initially an unknown Jazz musician in Memphis, Moore has grown to become one of the best popular saxaphonists today. While you might not get a great sense of it on this disc, that man is amazing life. The way he takes a simple riff and molds and remolds it to th mood of the song is simply amazing.
Allright, I'm done ranting about how great these guys are.
Under the Table is one of the best CDs in my Dave collection. It would be a great way to start or add to yours.
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