Published on Oct 26, 1998
The Dave Matthews Band are one of pop music’s biggest stars and
yet one of its unlikeliest stars. I say this because their latest
album,
Before These Crowded Streets, shows a band with good musical
chops, imaginative arrangements, and an indifference to writing
“hit” songs. In a music scene where all the bands seem to sound
like second rate versions of Pearl Jam, their popularity is quite
an accomplishment.
But while there is a lot I admire about
Before These Crowded Streets, the band somehow seem to miss
the mark. There are definitely some impressive moments on this
album musically, but the trouble is that in the end, the weak
songwriting eventually sinks this release. A good example of the
bridge between performance and songwriting is on “Rapunzel,” which
is a silly song that uses the fairy tale as a metaphor. But on the
other hand, the band really cooks, with a great jazzy rhythm and
some standout performances by Boyd Tinsley on violin and Leroi
Moore on soprano sax.
Most of the highlights of
Before These Crowded Streets come early. The song “The Last
Stop” is a moody piece with a Middle-Eastern flavor about hatred
that may or not be directed at that part of the world. Showing off
different styles musically, the bridge of this song brings a
bluegrass element with help from guest banjoist Bela Fleck. The
next song, the single “Don’t Drink The Water” is also an intense
number that could be a companion piece to “The Last Stop.” It
starts out slow until it builds to its riveting conclusion.
By this time, the second single, “Stay (Wasting Time)” comes as
quite a relief as it is a light, catchy, R&Bish number. The
laid-back fun of this song is short-lived as we get to “Halloween.”
Here, Matthews contorts his vocals in such a way that he sounds
like he’s auditioning for a heavy metal band. But this is not a
metal song as guest musicians, the classical outfit, The Kronos
Quartet, provide a string background, and Carter Beauford provides
some caribbean-sounding precussion, giving the listener three-way
musical whiplash.
If the second half of
Before These Crowded Streets was anything like the first,
this would be one hell of an album. But unfortunately, when The
Dave Matthews Band settles into more traditional rock numbers, the
weakness of the material is more evident. “Crush” has a slightly
winning melody, but it is overlong and unfocused. “Pig” is even
worse. This song is credited to the entire band and proves that too
many cooks do spoil the broth. Not only is the song overlong, but
it lacks form and melody, and its over-earnestness just becomes
annoying.
Speaking of annoying, “Spoon” is a duet between Matthews and
singer Alanis Morissette. Admittedly, both of these singers are an
acquired taste and their combined efforts just do not gel well.
Although it would have helped if the song was more inspired. “The
Dreaming Tree” is the only song in the second half that shines.
This is a quiet song reminiscent of one of Peter Gabriel’s later
recordings, and is a fine piece of songwriting by Matthews and
bassist Stefan Lessard.
The Dave Matthews Band are dynamic performers and show a lot of
imagination and versatility in combining different genres of music
and making them work. But right now, that is about all they seem to
have going for them. There are enough moments to give me hope that
this band will improve, but for now, I consider
Before These Crowded Streets a fascinating but flawed
album.