Customer Reviews

Busted Stuff

5 star:		(239)
4 star:		(93)
3 star:		(32)
2 star:		(22)
1 star:		(25)

 

 

This is much more complex and satisfying then the Everyday album. The songs reach deeper emotionally while creating music that is both complex and absorbing. There are also some subtle differences from the Lillywhite Sessions songs, mostly good, a few bad. But considering that Dave Matthews Band is simply reiterating quality songs that have already proven themselves on bootlegs and in concert, it's fairly hard to go wrong. So the good news is that nearly all the songs are well done, well layered, and atmospheric. The lyrics are excellent, some of the best I've read by DMB, and are at times quite poignant, as with Grey Street, Bartender, and Grace is Gone. The down side is that some of the songs seems a little restrained and focused on mechanics above emotions, and a few seem rushed, incomplete, and disorganized(You Never Know, Captain). Because the afore mentioned come one after another, the pace lags a tad in the middle portion and seems unsure. However, DMB makes up for it with a great first 3 songs, and a very solid 6-11. Here's a quick overview of each piece:

1)BUSTED STUFF--(7 out of 10)--This is an excellent opener. I'd describe it as a slightly funky blues song that sets the tone for a fairly melancholic cd. Pretty similar to Lillywhite's, but with an o.k. sax outro and a removal of the "silly one" lyrics that he repeated in the original. Solid and well-done.

2)Grey Street--(9 out of 10)--Very, very good song that sounds like a subdued Tripping Billies with better lyrics. Musically very good, lyrically even better, and with a pace the escalates in emotion to the end. Maybe a tad restrained at first, but Dave makes up for it with some great howling at the end. Better than the Lillywhite version.

3)Where are you Going--(8 out of 10)--This is a new song and the first radio release, and it's actually very well done and fits sequentially. The saxophone has a surrealistic effect on the song's atmosphere, and the acoustic guitar is arranged in an unusual but effective manner. Lyrics are a little soft by comparison to the rest, but the mood and music make up for it.

4)You Never Know--(6 out of 10)--Another new song, and unfortunately this piece just doesn't sound right. Lyrics are interesting but akwardly arranged, and the music seems like a disorganized jumble, not even with much of a flow. It's also overlong at almost six minutes. The very beginning and end are pretty good, and the refrain isn't bad, but it's the verses that are really messy, in almost every way. Still, it holds interest, and is slightly above average.

5)Captain--(6 out of 10)--Another semi-bust that starts out with a promising sound and then fades into vague and unoriginal lyrics/music. I remember the Lillywhite version as actually being better, but neither one is classic material. This song following You Never Know hurts the pace of the CD, as both pieces seem unsure and unfinished, and at worst unnecessary.

6)Raven--(8 out of 10)--Suddenly we're back to solid ground and the reworking of this song is excellent. The saxophone intro and subsequent interludes has remained, but nearly everything else has changed, and the result is very positive. The beat and rhythm have good energy, the saxophone adds a funky spin, and the lyrics are interesting(I've heard rumors that it's about priest abuse, but I don't know, the tone seems too upbeat). Overall, this song was an unexpected surprise and is one of the best.

7)Grace is Gone--(9 out of 10)--The band took everything good about the original, and melded it into a near masterpiece. The guitar plucking intro reminds me of U2's Running to Stand Still from the Joshua Tree. Lyrically, the writing is astute and beautifully rendered. It's also sparse in a good way, preventing the blabbering that occured in You Never Know. And this time around the music has the energy to lift the song up to genuine levels of emotional transcendence. The violin-based outro jam is a perfect ending.

8)Kit Kat Jam--(7 out of 10)--Here we have an all-instrumental that shifts like a chameleon to stay interesting. In reality, it is a good listen, and is a positive, upbeat change of pace. Much better than the disjointed and unfinished Lillywhite version.

9)Digging a Ditch--(8 out of 10)--More melancholy and nostalgia, and a slower version than Lillywhite's, which is a good thing. Working with a very simple song structure, this piece is executed to near-perfection. I like the guitar and the improvising saxophone, and the lyrics are thoughful and affecting. Very well done, but because of its simplistic parameters, it isn't a ground-breaker. You'll see what I mean, the song kind of treads water without escalating, but the mood and the message are great.

10)Big Eyed Fish--(8 out of 10)--One of my favorites from the Lillywhite Sessions makes the transition fairly intact, albeit some minor changes. The guitar arrangements are slower than before, but I like the effect, and am not sure which is better. Also, the lyric order is swapped, but that isn't a biggie. Still retained is the hypnotic, almost middle-eastern groove that was so mesmerizing the first time around, and combined with the clever narrative lyrics, it's an excellent song. However...this song is a bit more restrained than before, and doesn't seem to jam out as well at the end. Also, the howling that Dave did before has been amputated, cutting off some of the emotions and preventing the music from peaking. Still very good, but one of only two songs that aren't better than the original(Along with Captain).

11.)Bartender--(10 out of 10)--Flawless. This is a true masterpiece, and you can tell the band spent time on it. From the shifty violin into, to the powerful and emotional lyrics, everything ranks as unbelievable. The 8:30 minute song structure is separated into 3 parts: the lyrical build-up phase, the howling phase(from choirish to animal wails), and the musical conclusion phase that culminates in a brilliant pennywhistle solo framed by acoustic strumming. Really, really good. Beats out the Lillywhite version.

Overall, this CD is excellent with just a couple of misfires. The rest of the ensemble more than makes up for it, and because of that, I highly recommend "Busted Stuff."

I don't mean 'return' in the usual sense since the DMB hasn't really been away. I mean that Busted Stuff is a welcome return to the lively interaction and infectious jams that were sorely missing on Everyday. They're well rid of Glen Ballard and his production work, which spotlighted Dave and treated the other members like a nuisance to be subdued as much as possible. Here nobody's buried in the mix. The group chemistry is as electrified as ever. They're all rejuvenated and ready to let loose, and Dave's wonderful ear for melody hasn't produced anything this addicting in years. It's good to have them back.

Even with such a set of well-written tunes as Busted Stuff offers, a couple examples stand out - the joyously sunny instrumental "Kit Kat Jam" (have they been listening to a lot of Dixie Dregs lately?), the simple but powerful sound of "Grey Street," and the hymn-like "Bartender".. particularly its achingly sweet three-minute jam that ends the disc. The not-quite-bluegrass "Grace Is Gone" is also smooth and pleasing; nevermind that it's got the most wretchedly unimaginative lyrics Dave's turned out in a good long time. That track is the exception, however. Dave's lyrical skills have grown beyond what he showed on Under the Table... and even Crash. Check "Grey Street" which paints vividly drab pictures of a woman's slowly fading faith. Check the Kafka-esque parables of "Raven" and "Big Eyed Fish." There's a fair amount of bitter cynicism floating through the songs, with some occasional flashes of hope.. even if it's in the fatalistic thoughts of "Bartender" or "Digging a Ditch."

There are some CD-ROM features and an extra DVD included with some unreleased live video footage and interviews, but everything's a secondary bonus to the music. If you like the band's videos it'll be a nice plus. If not.. well, it's free anyway.

Busted Stuff is a more than worthy addition to the group's catalogue, an example of their distinct pop/rock/jazz sound in fine form. In terms of strength and performance I rate it even with the near-perfect Crash. It shows once again why the B in DMB is vitally important; without the intense splashes of color and wonderful tones of Boyd and Leroi, not to mention Carter's endlessly inventive percussion, this could very well have been an average alt-rock group.. albeit one with a nice knack for memorable hooks. But the music these guys produce is more than the sum of its parts. It's Dylan meets Coltrane meets Bruford with a little Bela Fleck tossed in. Get some of this Stuff.

I admit that I was one of the many who induldged in the bootlegged compilation of "The Summer So Far" aka "The Lillywhite Sessions." I think that disc contains some of the best DMB material ever recorded. It was direction filled with fertile creativity that they dumped for that disappointing EVERYDAY, which I promptly dumped. When BUSTED STUFF was released, I immediately scooped up a copy and listened to it with a raised eyebrow as the album made its way through each track. It wasn't bad, but what happened?

The energy and PASSION was lackluster and the songs smoothed over. Was Dave bored in the studio? GREY STREET, originally such a hard-driving song both musically and lyrically has been melted down into a nice little ditty. This is a song about a woman caught in an abusive relationship looking towards her religion to free here...on Lillywhite, Dave sang it like every word came from the pain and fear inside this woman. Now he sings it like he's narrating the TV movie of the week. He also changed the lyrics....they're not passionate, they're no longer angry for the woman who has found herself in such horrific circumstances. I had the opportunity to see him perform both versions live, and believe me, the new one makes you feel all melancholy inside. That's not what the song should do.

Lillywhite's BARTENDER took me awhile to like, now it's one of my favorites. What sold me was the jam at the end. It's a little shorter on Busted, and again, lacks the dynamic energy that Lillywhite's had. Dave (and all the instruments) emoted raw emotion. It was if you could feel the narrative of the lyrics continuing in the jam. But on Busted it just sounds like a nice little, well-scripted jazz jam. And the outro has been sweetened with a happy little flute solo as opposed to the emotional sax on Lillywhite. For me, depending on my mood, the sax playoff could make me feel sad or uplifted, either way, fulfilled. In my opinion, it was an unfortunate tradeoff on the Busted recording.

BUSTED STUFF it good, but Carter's terrific percussion has been reduced to just your standard drumming. On Lillywhite it had many layers. Which I feel is an ongoing trait of this album. Carter is one of the best drummers out there. And you can tell that he likes what he does. But for some reason or another, he's been pulled back on the Busted album. He was a lot more creative on Lillywhite....his personal choice....Dave's....or new producer's? Who knows.

JTR is missing from the album. It was a good one and had a great jam at the end. GRACE IS GONE is probably the only carryover song that is still strong even with the changes. But on Lillywhite, Dave did sound much more sincere in the narrative which made the song all that more heartbreakingly endearing.

The 2 new songs are nice little tunes, but unfortunately not up to the caliber of Dave's writing skills.

I just saw the guys in concert; front row center! Great place to be. But as much of a good time I had, I could seee that the guys were bored. They barely related to each other, and it felt like they were just stumbling through the night. Maybe the band needs a break. Stop touring for a bit and spend time with the new kids. They are one of the hardest working bands. There was a lot of energy when the old songs were played: Warehouse, Too Much, Ants Marching....that's when it seemed that they were enjoying what they were doing.

It's nice to hear these great songs recorded better, (technically since the Lillywhite disc was a basically of preliminary/high-grade demo quality). But I wish that the band hadn't messed around with them so much, or at least sounded more interested in the material. Maybe they should officially release the Lillywhite tracks, but after they've been remastered.

There's a part of me that sort of wishes that I had never heard the Lillywhite tracks, because it made me aware of the potential these songs have.

To me, "Busted Stuff" ranks second in the hierarchy of DMB albums, being brilliant but unable to displace the absolutely mesmerizing "Before These Crowded Streets" from the top spot in my book. It provides great music, and to all those disgruntled fans after "Everyday" (I was not one of them) a welcome sigh of relief. The mood is a bit darker, the lyrics even more head-scratching and apparently meaningless than even "Before...", but the instrumentals are lifted up to a new level of greatness. One definite factor: no guest musicians. It's pure DMB from start to finish, and the result couldn't be better. Here are the songs:
1)Busted Stuff - a great great song, it has a very mellow pace that works, and shows an absolutely amazing vocal range from Dave: a definite hummer;
2)Grey Street - the defining song for this CD, second best in my view.Remarkably powerful, it makes you want to rise up and yell out;
3)Where Are You Going? - new song, very VERY slow, which works well at this point. Lovely sax ending by LeRoi;
4)You Never Know - this is oddly catchy, although the lyrics are not much. Still one of their good songs, it's on the limit but does not fall short;
5)Captain - does. If there is a disappointment on this CD, this would be it. I have trouble getting it, it takes quite a while to understand his beat and get into it. It's by no means bad, but definitely weak by comparison;
6)Raven - extremely dark lyrics, borderline incomprehensible but thought-provoking. Musically no complaints;
7)Grace Is Gone - by far the best song on here. Not only is it absolutely beautiful lyrically and musically, it produces an extraordinary harmony between guitar riffs and words at the critical points in the chorus. Sounds country (which I would normally hate), but I say it's pure Dave and one of their best of all time;
8)Kit Kat Jam - worthy addition, does it fit? Yes, it certainly does, simply because it's a damn good jam. No, they do not need lyrics. As long as they keep it short (which they did), it's just right;
9)Digging A Ditch - the slowest track on this disc, it might even get painfully slow. It's good to listen to only if you have the patience. In THAT situation, it works on a very deep level. My advice: take your time;
10)Big Eyed Fish - third best song on the album. It's so amazingly performed, and the lyrics are great (yes, you heard me - not silly, not dark, GREAT). It takes you by surprise and maintains that sweet sweet feeling all the way. The first time I heard it, I went back and listened to it again.
11)Bartender - this is classic DMB, somehwat reminiscent of the violence and passion of "Before..." and "Live In Chicago." It has religious lyrics, much like "Spoon" and "Christmas Song", and it nicely runs up to 9 minutes. Great closing to a great album.
In many ways, "Busted Stuff" is DMB's crowning masterpiece. It remains to see what they will come up with next, but this CD shows their ability to come out of difficult and testing situations, i.e. the "Everyday" fan-alienating and the Lillywhite fiasco, to produce pure musical genius at what I think is the peak of their career.

Yes, like many hardcore Dave Matthews Band fans, I wasn't very pleased with the group's work on their 2000 release "Everyday," in which the band abandoned their previous demo recordings with producer Steve Lillywhite and opted for a new sound with Glenn Ballard. And, like many fans, I was ecstatic when the group remade their "Lillywhite Sessions" material into "Busted Stuff," a great new album with enough of the old DMB sound to keep me nostalgic, but also enough new ideas to keep me guessing. The title track is a nice slow introduction to the album, leading into the wonderful "Grey Street," with its traditional Dave Matthews acoustic guitar rhythm lick leading the track with the usual musical gifts provided by bassist Stephan Lessard, violinist Boyd Tinsley, brass player Leroi Moore, and of course the godly Carter Beauford on drums. The additions of "Where Are You Going" and "You Never Know" are a great replacement to some of the weaker demos on the original "Lillywhite Sessions" material, like "Sweet Up and Down." The funky bassline and complementary jazzy guitar lick on "Captain" is a new and interesting sound to the group, as is the instrumental "Kit Kat Jam." The more melancholy "Grace is Gone" and "Digging a Ditch" provide some of the softer sounds on the album, while "Raven" and "Big-Eyed Fish" are both strong tracks in my book, leading up to the new DMB masterpiece and final track, "Bartender." I heard this song when it first came out as an acoustic concert piece and couldn't wait to see what the group would transform it into on the album. I wasn't disappointed.
Though "Before These Crowded Streets" is still my favorite Dave Matthews Band record, "Busted Stuff" is definitely up there in my book.

A couple of years ago I wrote a scathing review of DMB's Everyday. I have to admit that the album grew on me over time (sort of like a fungus?) but Busted Stuff comes as a huge relief. This is a strong album from the Dave Matthews Band, definitely a more natural continuation from Before These Crowded Streets. From what I remember of my astronomy class years ago, a retrograde movement is a kind of illusion, in which one of the outer planets seems, from Earth's point of view, to be moving backwards; but the planet is actually moving forwards, just at a rate more slowly than Earth's. (Or something like that). Anyway, DMB seems to be moving backwards to an earlier style, but I think they have taken that earlier style and developed it further.

There are two tracks I routinely skip on this CD, but in general that's more because I love "Grace is Gone" than because I dislike "Captain" and "Raven" (though I feel "Captain" is the weakest track on the disc). I had heard many of the Lillywhite Session tracks before, both in concert and on bootlegs, and I admit that there are a couple missing that I would have liked to see in this set. That said, however, the band compiled an excellent album.

The themes of the album seem to be loss, regret, and a seeking for higher things. In "Busted Stuff" and "Grace is Gone" the themes of a lost love are explored. The exceptional song "Grey Street," which moves my feet to tap and my eyes to tears, talks about a woman who is trapped in a life she doesn't want. The narrator of "Digging a Ditch" gives a positive look at death. "Big Eyed Fish" and "Bartender" (more songs that make me cry) speak of a regret over trying to be what you're not, and a reaching upward for something bigger and higher than yourself.

Musically speaking, Dave has gone back mostly to his acoustic guitar, and the band as a whole has a much bigger presence. You don't have to search for Boyd and LeRoi's contributions the way you did with Everyday.

In general, I have to admit that some good things came of Everyday, but Busted Stuff is to be preferred.

Dave Matthew's Band had become a favorite of mine over the last few years and I was pleased to finally get the chance to hear a version of the Lillywhite Sessions, since I'm not into stealing music I had not yet heard it.

"Busted Stuff," the new and from what I hear better than Lilywhite, was a must buy for me when it came out. I eagerly listened to it bit had mixed feelings, I wasn't sure about it, but after giving it a few more listens I fell in love with the album. Dave's lyrics have never been stronger, they are deep and express so many ideas and thoughts that listening to this CD becomes an almost spiritual event. The songs all are so nicely tied together as Dave questions God, religion, and mortality.

Highlights:
Grey Street: this song has a great sound and the words are beautifully sad
Where are you Going: this is very much a DMB song
Grace is Gone: this is perhaps my favorite song, the words are so deep and powerful and the ending of the song is a surprise
Big Eyed Fish: I love this song very much, it's a fun song but has a message all the same

Anyone who thinks music can't make a statement hasn't heard this album. This album makes you think and makes you face your own God issues. I praise DMB for putting these ideas and messages out there.

So go buy this CD, you won't be dissappointed plus you get a pretty cool DVD with it.

DMB's newest CD does not disappoint. Although many fans already had copies of the songs on this CD by downloading the famous Lillywhite Sessions, the album still has a fresh, new feel to it. Although the absence of JTR and Sweet Up and Down are apparent, the addition of Where Are You Going and You Never Know fills these spots well. Each song has had an overhaul, and many have benifited from this.

1. Busted Stuff - sounds very much like the version on Lillywhites, which is a good thing. This is one of the weaker tracks on the album IMO but still a good song. 7/10

2. Grey Street - love the new version. Dave has changed the CD version to sound more like the live version, and has changed the lyrics from the lillywhites version. My favorite song on the album. 10/10

3. Where Are You Going - the first single off the new CD. This song is a little slow for my taste, but defiatley a good song. 8/10

4. You Never Know - slowly becoming my favorite DMB song. This is a really cool song musically, and the change in timing throughout the song flows extremely well. This is my second favorite behind Grey Street. 10/10

5. Captain - my vote for most improved song. I liked the Lillywhites version, but it seemed underproduced. This version is much tighter than the lillywhite version, and is a very good song. 9/10

6. Raven - another greatly improved song. This song was very dark and mysterious on the Lillywhites, but the new version has a new twist to it that makes it catchy and fun to listen to. 8/10

7. Grace is Gone - this is the biggest disappointment of the new album. The Grace is Gone on the Lillywhites was a slow ballad, and they sort of sped it up for the new CD. I still like the song, but the old version was definatley better. 6/10

8. Kit Kat Jam - liked it better with the words, but still an incredible song. Again, much tighter than the Lillywhites version, and a really cool song with awesome groove. 9/10

9. Digging A Ditch - most underrated song on the album. Although this song is kind of weak live(comparatively speaking), the studio version fits really well into this CD. 9/10

10. Big Eyed Fish - the intro has been changed a little, from saxophone on Lillywhites to guitar on Busted Stuff. This song, like many others, is a lot tighter than the version on the Lillywhites, and a little more upbeat. 8/10

11. Bartender - full of power. This is the perfect way to close the CD. This song is even more amazing live, but the CD captures the power and energy of the live version pretty well. 10/10

I've never been a fan of the Dave Matthews Band. I've heard some of their more popular tracks from time to time, but never truly enjoyed what I heard. And, as we all know, 'Where Are You Going' has become a hit on the radio across the country. I liked it immediately, and wondered if I had given DMB a fair shot: I bought the CD on a whim, and was disappointed at first. It just wasn't my style. (Metallica, Godsmack, System of a Down, however, ARE my style.)

But as the days passed, I found myself wondering why this hand't left my stereo. And then when I grabbed my portable CD player on my way to school, I was surprised yet again when I reached for this album. The same happened while on my computer. What was going on? Well, it's simple: this album is amazing, and I now look forward to purchasing more albums by this band.

Here are my thoughts on each track:

1. Busted Stuff (7.5/10) Not my favorite track, and I usually find myself skipping over it. Yet, it's not terrible either.
2. Grey Street (8/10) A faster, stronger song, and may have been better off as the opening track. Not the best on the album, but I listen to it quite often.
3. Where Are You Going (8/10) My favorite at first, but that's always the case with an album you buy for one track. Slower, not as deep as the others, but still great in its own way.
4. You Never Know (7.5/10) I don't listen to this very often; somehow it hasn't quite clicked with me yet.
5. Captain (8.5/10) Slower, more melodic. One of the better, I'd say.
6. Raven (9/10) I've never heard the darker version, but can only assume it's better. I love the lyrics to this one and ranks high on my list of favorites.
7. Grace Is Gone (9.5/10) A song I disliked when first listening to it. It seemed too 'country' for me. Now, however, I listen to it more than any other. My favorite on the album!
8. Kit Kat Jam (8.5/10) These guys can really jam. It's evident even they were impressed judging by their cheers at the end. We cheered to, Dave.
9. Digging A Ditch (9/10) Begins with a yawn and ends powerful, in my opinion. Again, it's one of the better, and I'm beginning to think--only as I write this--that the second half of the album is stronger.
10. Big Eyed Fish (9/10) My favorite at first, it was replaced by 'Grace is Gone'. I find it funny, but maybe that's just me.
11. Bartender (9.5/10) Competes with 'Grace is Gone', but falls shy but just a little. The first time I listened to it, I hated it, and then realized how amazing it really was.

Busted Stuff, Dave Matthews Band's follow up album to the 2001 release of Everyday does everything that Digging a Ditch (which was later called the Lillywhite Sessions) was supposed to do and more. All of the fan favorite songs are there and the weaker songs have been wisely excluded (songs such as "Monkey Man" and "Sweet Up and Down"). While the Lillywhite Sessions seemed the logical follow up to the 1998 release of These Crowded Streets because of the layered instrumental accompaniments expressing its melancholy and pain, Busted Stuff is more of a return to what Dave Matthews Band used to be. The songs have shifted from a dreary depression to a much lighter mood. Dave uses an acoustic guitar instead of an electric on songs like "Busted Stuff" and "Grey Street". Moore's woodwind riffs remind me of a style that has been absent in many Dave songs since Under the Table. Songs that have noticeably changed for the better are "Raven" and "Kit Kat Jam." You can actually understand the lyrics now in Raven and the Jam is now wordless, which I think was a wise decision. The oldest song on the album is actually the most changed though. "Captain" (which is an older song that used to be called "Crazy") is the most changed. It is no longer just a mediocre filler, but now stands out far above many of the other songs. It is much neater and its hook is very tight. This song's sound is very thick and one can hear the orchestration under the guitar and bass. To me this, along with "Grey Street," are the two best songs on the album. "Where Are You Going" is a much better song then the first single off of Everyday ("I Did It"). It is more true to the Dave Matthews style that many of his older fans love. As a whole this album works very well. Some of the songs are simple ("Where Are You Going" and "Digging a Ditch") and others are much more complicated ("Captain" and "Grey Street"), but all of the songs are great. Matthews uses a collaboration of everything that he has learned from his five other studio releases in Busted Stuff. There are parts of each song that sound like styles from other albums, creating a whole new and refreshing style. For those of you who have and love the Lillywhite Sessions, this album changes enough of those songs that it will keep you interested and for those who do not know the songs, this is a great way to be introduced to them. Dave Matthews Band is back for all of the fans that were scared off after Everyday; they have abandoned the poppy lyrics and gone back to what they started with...the straight jam.