Big Sound, Big Changes - DMB's Big Whiskey



Posted: Friday, July 10, 2009

by Julie Newman

After a four year hiatus, Dave Matthews band has come back with their newest release, "Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King". This album is a departure from their earlier albums, to say the least.

In the past the Dave Matthews Band was known for a more rocking sound then bands such as Moe or Phish. With their newest release, the DMB goes into a new direction and expends on a more mature approach towards music and it's influences while mourning the loss of their dear friend and founding band member, LeRoi Moore.

Moore died in 2008 as a result of complications caused by an ATV accident. His role as saxophonist was taken up in the studio by Jeff Coffin. Many theorize the band came back together to make this album as a sort of tribute to Moore, and this is easily across the CD.

There are many songs on the album, especially "Funny the Way It Is" the albums first track, that reflect on the loss of Moore and the bands reaction to his passing. It is the track that most resembles the old Dave Matthews Band sound while incorporating their new direction. Other tracks, such as "Alligator Pie" and "Baby Blue", deal with the bands time apart and work with others, as well as their experience with producer Rob Cavallo, while recording in Louisiana.

Alongside the Delta Blues sounding songs you can also find the New Orleans French Quarter sound. Overall, this is a solid album, that shows the bands ability even in the absence of LeRoi Moore.

Although this album takes a new direction from what fans are used to, they will be sure to find that the feelings of the music has had minimal change. Dave Matthews fans will surely be able to find the heart of the sound as they have done in the past. "Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King" is sure to become a DMB classic, same as"Under the Table and Dreaming" and "Crash", even if the new sound takes a little getting used to.

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