Crash

But all that aside, it's an excellent record. "Crash" catches a lot of flak and criticism for being a departure from the original highly organic sound of "Under the Table and Dreaming." But it's not as if this is an entirely different band. This was much more of an electric album. Tim Reynolds' mind-blowing guest guitar work here is mainly done with electics rather than acoustics, and so the sound is a little edgier than Dave's fans were used to. I still have to commend Steve Lilywhite (their producer) for his fantastic audio work in polishing DMB's material.

But back to the album. There are very few songs on here that are not really really good. The concept behind "Crash" (the song, not the album) is really funny in that most people think it's a love song... but listen to it closely... it's not. "So Much to Say" is one of the most fun songs I've ever heard. The main songs that I have problems with are "Cry Freedom" and "Proudest Monkey." "Cry Freedom" is really not that great of a song, even though its message is, and "Proudest Monkey," while the jam session for it is really cool, is probably too long to be on a studio album (the song clocks in at about 9:08). The main problem is that the instrumentation on the jam is too sparse, unlike future sessions on "Before These Crowded Streets."

But the best songs on the album have to be "Two Step" and "Lie In Our Graves." "Two Step," despite not having a traditional rock rhythm until the chorus, is one of the most rocking songs I have ever heard, and "Lie In Our Graves..." well... I don't know. It just has something about it that makes it so cool. I can't really explain it.

I'm a big fan of rhythm, and DMB definitely has rhythm aplenty. Carter Beauford is the God of all drummers and Stefan Lessard is probably the best bassist I've ever heard. "Crash" is a very good album. Not the best DMB has released, but very good nonetheless.


Full of Love and Life   August 4, 2004
A. Bubul (PA)
23 out of 27 found this review helpful

DMB is a ragtag bunch of dudes who devote their entire lives to playing their songs, and Crash is a true testament to that honest, sincere and tenacious desire they have for making thoughtful, upbeat music in a completely original fashion. Most bands can be compared to countless different groups from all different eras, but I think Dave manifests a fantastic sound that is all its own. Sure, the name is tossed around with bands like Phish, O.A.R. and Rusted Root, but honestly, other than being known for putting on outstanding liveshows, DMB has very little in common with those bands. Crash is an archetypal album, a seminal recording that seems to channel the energy of a thousand different cultures into one stunning amalgamation of heartfelt tunes. Songs like Crash Into Me, #41, Lie in Our Graves and So Much to Stay are prime examples of this bands talent. These tracks will stay with you for a long time. I know that Dave Matthews Band is put down by a lot of people for a number of reasons, but personally, I can't find anything wrong with Crash. Check it out.


A New Fan of the Dave Matthews Band   November 28, 1999
James Nelson (Lansing, MI)
21 out of 23 found this review helpful

I am usually a fan of mostly punk rock music and never realy liked Dave Matthews from the songs I had heard as singles ("Too Much," "Don't Drink the Water," ect.). However, after a friend of mine played me "Two Step" off of "Listener Supported," I got chills due to the vigorous emotion the song presented. I immediately went home and grabbed "Crash" from my mother's CD collection and instantly was taken away after I popped the CD into my stereo. I'm still not a fan of "Too Much," but the rest of the album had me mesmerized by the powerful songwriting and flawless performance from the band. I never understood what the big fuss over the Dave Matthews Band was all about; I just figured it was the newest fad, but now I understand. After listening to the sound samples from the other albums, I definitely plan to pick them up. The Dave Matthews band is no fad. They are just going to continuously increase their fanbase as the years progress, and upon hearing "Crash," it's no wonder why.


DMB reigns supreme over all!   February 18, 2000
BGFN8 (Massapequa, NY USA)
15 out of 25 found this review helpful

Dave Matthews Band is possibly the most original band of today, if not all time. Think about it, where else do you here the incredible combination of acoustic guitar, violin, sax, bass, and drums? If this is not original, will someone please define it for me.

This album does not contain one bad song, nor does any other DMB CD. The best song on here is "Two Step," a fast, upbeat song with a great violin pizzicatto solo, it makes you wanna get up and dance. There is also "Lie In Our Graves," "Tripping Billies," "Too Much," "#41," hell, I could go on forever. I would reccomend this album to anyone, as it will be liked by anyone who likes real music. The people who say this is not real music are most likely people who listen to rap and industrial music, which is nothing but mere noise for the most part. These guys are some of the saviors of 90's music, do yourself a favor and buy this record. And if you can, try to catch them live in concert, it'll be the greatest experience of your life.

LONG LIVE DMB!


Talent: Look No Further   September 7, 2000
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

This band is acoustic, but has the most amazing combination of vocals, drums, violins, saxophones, whistles, flutes, bass, and electric bass. Dave may not be your most talented singer in the world, but what he says is so awesome. I'll start at the beginning of the CD. "So Much To Say" is a song that is way too true for me. He's talking about his hell and is ever so wise with, "Sometimes I find it's easy to be myself, Sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else," and God, how true... The only bad part is Dave is bursting with inspiring words, but ends up repeating "So much to say" too much. Then there is "Two Step" with an amazing into... and the awesome metaphor of "Hey, my love, you came to me like wine comes to this mouth, grown tired of water all the time, you quench my heart and you quench my mind," "Crash into me" is your radio played song w/ a cool video... "Who's got their claws in you my friend?" Good question... Dave will always give you something to think about Awesome sounds... "Too Much," has an awesome baritone sax part. It shows off Leroi's talent. Dave sings in an neat way. "#41" is a slow, pensive song, and he is very soft sounding, but deep things are said. "Say Goodbye," is about a girl friend no doubt, and it's kind of sad. Probably my least fav. song, but I have none. "Drive in Drive Out," has some great lines that are humorous poetry... namely, "I hear more than I'd like to, so I boil my head in a sense of humor, I laugh at what I cannot change, I throw it out on the pyre again, go then and do this, I'd do it of for you, when all that I want is so badly to be, by myself again, this is going to drive me right out of my brain..." Awesome... "Let You Down" is mellow, and him apologizing. Another great metaphor enclosed. You'll see. "Lie in our graves" he asks, would we lie in our graves and dream of the things we might have been, and it teaches you to enjoy life. "Cry Freedom" is too true about this country. It has great thoughts, "Hand and feet are all alike, but gold between divide us." Great instrumental. "Tripping Billies" is jazzish. Awesome... "Proudest Monkey" is ten minutes, but worth every second, great metaphor about being too proud to admit when you're wrong. The band creates great sounds of the city.

This CD contains NO bad songs. Carter Beaufort is an astounding drummer. The lyrics are fascinating to dissect and memorize. The amazingly talented violin by Boyd Tinsley changes violin's name forever. Stefan Lessard is amazing, but you have to listen hard to hear it, but his parts are great. Great band, great songs, great sounds... Enjoy the best CD ever.