p1rana's Full Review: Some Devil [Digipak] [Limited] by Dave Matthews
My Impressions:
As a DMB fan, albeit a fairly new one without many of his CD's, I quickly rushed to the store to pick up this album. In a stunt of ignorance, I failed to even realize this was a solo album by Dave until I started listening to it. To be honest the first time I heard it I thought to myself, this is horrible. The change of pace from much of his jam-band style was probably the culprit of most of this.
I continued to listen to it, knowing other albums I had got took me a while to take much liking to. And as I did this I began to take a liking to it, but not in the same sense as many of his other albums. In my opinion, if you are looking for the uptempo, exciting music which we are most familiar with hearing from Dave, this may not be the CD for you. But, as happened with me, you may take a liking to it for the simplicity and power many of the songs convey. Also, the bonus CD will make up for anyone who is weary of this detachment from Dave's usual style.
The Songs:
The CD opens up with Dodo, a medium paced song dominated by a simple, jazzy sounding guitar loop over some subtle percussion. A good opener, this song poses a simple metaphor questioning the rules of relationships.
So Damn Lucky is a similar sounding song, this time with a higher pitched guitar that varies more. Dave mixes in a good bit of falsetto in another metaphor relating driving a car and losing control to relationships.
Gravedigger is a very powerful song that opens with a light electric guitar that picks up as the song continues. I think this helps the song from becoming overly depressing with the stories of various deceased people. The refrain is very simple, but once again powerful. This song is probably my favorite on the CD.
Some Devil, the title track is Dave playing an electric guitar without any backing. A sad and depressed tone is beautifully conveyed, without being completely overbearing.
Trouble is another slow song but is surprisingly upbeat. Once again it is a track with electric guitar leading, and simple percussion backing. This also has some studio effects in the back, which seem to fit well in this song.
Grey Blue Eyes is another slow song lead by a light electric guitar with a slow beating of a drum. The main focus of this song is Dave's light and uplifting vocals.
Save Me is a song that uses Jesus's 40 days in the desert in a slightly disguised form. It is a fun track with an awesome bass guitar that dominates the song. Dave is also accompanied by a gospel choir.
Stay or Leave is a song with acoustic guitar accompanied by some studio effects. These effects almost sound like clocks ticking. This goes well with the songs theme of reminiscing and time running out in a relationship.
An' Another Thing is a very slow paced song that is primarily a guitar that is barely existent playing to the lead of Dave's falsetto. It may just be me, but I can't understand a word he says and the song doesn't really have much interest.
Oh is a major relief from the previous song. It is a mid tempo song with a guitar accompanied by a bass and drums. I must note that, when I mention drums, it is because they are almost non-existent in many of the songs. Dave's singing is more upbeat and light in this song.
Baby is led by Dave's singing with an acoustic guitar and a string orchestra playing to the lyrics. It is a lighter song with a fairly slow tempo and is about keeping your hopes up.
Up and Away is another upbeat song with medium tempo. It has guitar and drums, but what really leads the song is the organ in the back.
Too High starts with a guitar with a medium tempo and almost overbearing sound. During the chorus, it transitions into being a bit lighter and focuses on Dave's voice. Also as the song goes on the drums pick up and beg for more attention.
Gravedigger in the acoustic form is a bit lighter version then the other. I've seen other reviews that complain about this song being on twice. In my opinion, having heard both I don't think it could have been as good with only one because neither is clearly better.
As a Note:
I had been listening to this CD on my car speakers which are pretty poor. Just today I listened to it in my house and I've come to the conclusion that you are missing some of the tones and backround effects that really add interest to some of the songs.
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