I have been carpooling for about 6 months and my carpool guy is obsessed with this band. I feel like I'm supposed to like this band but I just cannot wrap myself around them. I like the sound of Dave Matthews voice but the music is boring to me. Laughingly my carpool claims to like complex music but listens to one of the most boring acts on the planet.

Can someone explain the appeal to me? Is there a political or social bent to the Dave Matthews band? From what I can tell, they aint sayin much. What is it about this band that actually has people excited?

I like them.

"Crush" is a great song.

But I'm not a big enough fan to be able to tell you why you should like them.

I'm on the same side of the fence as you; one of my college roommates albsolutely loved Dave Matthews Band. I think it's almost a rule that college age kids must worship at the feet of DMB.

I was even dragged to one of his concerts, on the premise that it would be the best show I've ever seen. Needless to say, my mind wasn't blown.

From what I understand they win you over live.

I like Dave Matthews Band as much as any non-stoner could. Nothing Earth-shattering, but I think the rhythm section is tight. I like the arrangements of their songs and I like Dave's lyrics. I think they fell victim 2 the timing of their popularity. They got lumped in with Hootie, The Gin Blossoms, Ect...But I think they're a much better band than they're often given credit 4. But that's me.

Those guys can really play, but

I don't enjoy what they're playing (the songs).

CynicKill said:

This guy plays the live CDs all the time and I haven't heard anything that bowls me over. In fact there is one song we listened to this morning and there was one part that was a carbon copy of the rock portion of "Stairway to Heaven". Not exact, but the bassline, the drums and the general guitar riff were the same. I asked my carpool if he didn't hear the similarity, he said "no, it sounds like it's own song to me". Come on now....

I can't explain their popularity except that jam bands always seem to draw hardcore fanatics--like Phish and The Grateful Dead.

grammar edit
[Edited 2/8/05 12:26pm]

sextonseven said:

2 more bands I don't get. OK, I can understand the appeal of these bands if I was high, but I've known people that were obsessed with these band's music and I think the obsession was more for the drug and the "scene" that came with the music than the music itself. Do people get high at Dave Matthews concerts?

I don't get it either. I bought what I'm pretty sure was their last studio album a few years back and liked it. Like, I can understand....Being obsessed, I don't!
[Edited 2/8/05 11:53am]

npgmaverick said:

Greatest....avtar....ever! (I should break out some ole' Ann Coulter myself)

VinnyM27 said:

Vinny, you crack me up! No thread is safe from Vinny's political rants

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[Edited 2/8/05 11:57am]

I'm a DMB fan, though far from an obsessive one.

I like DMB because of Dave's lyrics. He writes very simple, but very sexy songs. He also has extremely talented musicians playing with him and they all really seem to enjoy and care about what they're creating. That vibe comes through in the music.

I am one of few who does not like to see DMB live. I've seen them twice and I got bored with their "jam-sessions". I do enjoy seeing Dave do his funky little white boy dance, but it just wasn't enough to hold my attention.


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OK....I'll give the band their props on being great players. However to me it's kind of like Celine Dion. She is technically perfect, but it's like a computer. Sure you can hear that all notes are executed with flawless perfection but it lacks soul. I feel the same way with this band. My carpool even had the nerve to say he didn't see what the big deal with Prince was. I can't say that statement surprised me at all....considering the source, a Dave Matthews fan!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Yeah I wouldn't worry about it.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I've been trying to hold back but I see Skeletor, you get an Ann Coulter reference! And the fact that it says "Bitch, Please"...classic!

VinnyM27 said:

Thanks. I would love 2 take the credit 4 it, but I swiped it from a friend. It made me howl with laughter the 1st time I saw it.

DMB broke out at at time when rap was getting harder and dumber, and most of the other singing songwriters who wrote about feelings and relationships were women.

So, for the same reason that John Mayer strikes a chord with a lot of people, Dave Matthews and his KICKIN' band (except for that fiddler -- he's always irked me) so strike with them, too.

Carter Beauford is one of the best drummers I've ever heard. The foundation and subtleties he brings to the band (as well as the able playing by DM, Stefan on bass and Leroi on sax & flute) are always a treat.

In short (too late), DMB always has brought a wonderful alternative to the music scene, even when that "alternative" label has grown tiresome. Everyone doesn't dig 'em, but I do.

Crash (to me) is their only good song.. that I can go back to and play many times.. few others, but their on an acoustic double disk..





why? probably cause it doesnt sound like daves other work...
[Edited 2/8/05 22:53pm]

yeah, what is it with them? they look good on paper, the bricks and mortar are all there, but it all just comes out so..... blah.