PaulBM

This morning we finally got time to listen to Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King. The Dave Matthews Band are back on course, after a serious hiccup with Stand Up. Having said that You Might Die Trying was featured in the second episode of the new season of House the other night. Initially I was convinced the song was from Some Devil because it sounded so good, but I was surprised to find it was from Stand Up.

The main thing I noticed on first listen is that electric guitars pop up all over the place… a good addition. Secondly, no fade outs on any track. It feels like the tracks are written and performed by the band so natural endings are the norm. And those drums… Carter is really high in the mix and sounding great.

And best of all, this CD is not a victim of the Loudness War.. look at the extract of the Audacity sample picture… peaks and troughs, dynamic range. At last these bands are waking up to the fact that less is more and we all have a volume control.

Mmmm, dynamic range!

Listening through again as I write this confirms my initial thoughts. It’s going to be a fine CD. Like most of my favourite CDs, the songs are coming through over time. Lying In the Hands Of God (with a burst of one of my favourite sounds, acoustic slide guitar), Why I Am, Squirm and You & Me have leapt forward so far. I’m sure others will follow.

Oh and Steven informs me Seven is actually in 7/4 time. I’ll take his word for that, my technical music knowledge is limited to say the least.

Isn’t it typical, new CDs are turning up like number nine buses now, Chickenfoot arrived this morning. It’s going to have to wait a bit.

Yesterday an email informed me the new Dave Matthews Band CD has been posted… fingers crossed it’ll be with us tomorrow.

Every now and again there are new CDs that arrive in our household that demand a proper sit down and listen in their entirety on our 5.1 system, instead of via iTunes on our computers. Fear Of A Blank Planet was one that springs to mind (a true classic, especially in 5.1) and Experiments in Mass Appeal was probably the last one. Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King is going to be the next one… my first opinions will follow in a few days.

Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King is the title of the new upcoming Dave Matthews Band CD. Please let it be a vast improvement on the last one, Stand Up.

Having followed DMB for many years, Stand Up was a real low point for my tastes. Apart from a couple of songs, it washed over me without any real lasting gems.

The free taster track, Funny the Way It Is, indicates that they’re back on track. Great lyrics and even… a guitar solo!

Roll on the 2nd June .