Customer Reviews

Under the Table & Dreaming

5 star:		(249)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

IF YOU'RE A BIG DMB FAN, THIS REVIEW IS A WASTE, 'CAUSE YOU ALREADY KNOW ALL THIS STUFF. IF YOU'RE NOT... READ ON!

I was introduced to the Dave Matthews Band by way of "Before These Crowded Streets," rather than going in the proper order. But when I finally did get around to buying "Under the Table and Dreaming," I was already perfectly confident that it would be just as fantastic as the rest of the DMB material I had heard/purchased up to that point.

I was right.

This was the second CD they released and the first studio CD (if you don't count the studio takes of "Seek Up" and "Minarets" on the "Remember Two Things" CD), and you can hear the limitations in their sound quality and a little less ambience than on "Crash" and "BTCS." They were just starting out with Steve Lilywhite and had not found their signature sound just yet, though you can hear it developing more and more throughout the disc.

Of course, everyone on Earth knows "Satellite" and probably "Ants Marching." They've been overplayed to death and stil I enjoy them when I hear them. That is one of the things that separates DMB from the rest of the crowd, to me anyway. I can listen to them over and over and not get tired of them. But back to the album.

Like I said, everyone is probably familiar with those two by now, but if you're not a Dave fan already, you probably have never heard the intricacy of ballads like "Pay For What You Get" and the beautiful "#34." You also may not be familiar with the rocking "Dancing Nancies" (which asks the question, "Could I have been anyone other than me?") and the poetically-inspired "Typical Situation."

I can't say that this is "early" Dave Matthews, because the order in which all the band's songs were written belies the order in which they appear on albums. But I can say with confidence that this is GREAT Dave Matthews... but then... what ISN'T?

This is as close to a perfect CD as you will find. The songs complement eachother so completely that the songs seem to almost blend into one melodious song with different acts. For me there is no best song on the album because none is capable of standing out from the rest. Instead, DMB brings you into their better world for an hour at a time, and we emerge somehow more ready to face the world having heard the beauty that the world is capable of.

Awesome CD. When I discovered these guys, I was immediately drawn to their unique sound. I love the combination of rock, jazz, soul, funk, SKA, alternative. This band definitely has its own sound.

I loved every song on the album except "Rhyme and Reason," which I thought was not very well done. However, all the other ones are excellent, especially, "Best of What's Around," "Jimi Thing," "Satellite," "Warehouse," and "What would you say."

Just a phenomenal effort.

I'm a little worried about the future of DMB, however. I liked "Crash," but not nearly as much as "Under the Table," and I found "Before These Crowded Streets," to be a disappointment.

Of course it's tough to top this blockbuster. "Under the Table and Dreaming" is an incredible album.

So, I've never really been a fan of the Dave Matthews Band. The main reason for this, I think, is because I just never really gave them a chance. I initially didn't care for Dave's voice, and I just really didn't think this was something that would interest me. I was wrong.

This is, in fact, a fantastic album, with solid songwriting, and immaculate musicianship. Strains of jazz and funk adorn the jam-oriented alt-rock sound perfectly. The "band" part of the Dave Matthews Band in fact overshadows the "Dave Matthews" part by great lengths. He is backed by an extraordinarily talented band, anchored perfectly by the super-groovin' rhythm section of Carter Beauford and Stefan Lessard. Other instruments, like violins, flutes, and saxophones swirl about in dizzying patterns, adding brilliant color to he melodic palette. And, harmonica chief John Popper even adds his trademark brand of awesomeness to "What Would You Say".

Now, back to Dave's voice. It is undoubtedly an acquired taste, and while he's not exactly my favorite singer, he's definitely grown on me quite a bit. He shows unexpected versatility, from the gentle, ethereal melodies of "Lover Lay Down" and "Satellite", to the suprisingly vicious growls of "Rhyme & Reason", to the trademark oddness of "Ants Marching". His acoustic guitar playing is not too shabby, either. True, he's no Monte Montgomery, but he still adds something special to the band's sound (listen to "Warehouse", in particular).

Anyway, this is a well-crafted, damn near perfect album, that deserves your attention. Don't worry if you don't love Dave's vocals right away, as there's plenty more here to enjoy. And yes, this is still the only DMB album I have. I definitely want more.

I will confess that I have not been a true fan since the beginning and I was turned on to Dave in an interesting way. I bought the Crowded Streets cd and then worked my way back to Under the Table which I bought most recently. I absolutely love it! With an almost eclectic mix of fast, party quality songs and sensual slow songs, the cd is perfect for any mood. Great to sing along with, this Cd is essential for any true fan as well as for anyone who wants to check out Dave's style. Who can resist the urge to sit around with friends blasting Dave or attending one of his more than entertaining concerts! In my opinion, his blend of rock and alternative and even a bit of pop (though I hate to say it) makes for an awesome album and he has continued it with the next two, Crash and Before These Crowded Streets. I highly recommend this album.

I've often wondered what it would have been like to hear bands like the Beatles, Stones, the Doors, Hendrix - any of the true greats, hell even U2 in the early 80s, when something comes out and you don't really know where it'll stand in time but you know it's pretty darn good.

I first heard Under the Table when I was in high school 12 long years ago, and remember thiking what a great disc it was, but not really knowing if it was great b/c I was 17 years old chasing girls over the summer or whether it was a truly great album. Well let me tell you, 12 years later this disc still sounds SO much different than most of the regurgitated "alt" rock that's thrown together for the delight of the radio-listening masses. There is so much feeling in this music, much much different than a lot, not all, of the music today.

Remember, putting this band in the early 90s, there were not many other bands like it out there, and certainly none that broke through and made an impression on a large scale - I'm a Phish fan and cannot say that Phish is well-received by most people. This disc broke through on its own, it's pure, prior to Dave succombing to the pressure of being a well-known huge band. It's not his fault the masses liked this disc and those to follow. Just like the Doors, just like the Beatles, just like any other band out there that was first discovered. This is DMB in the purest sense.

I'm not going to go into a detailed analysis of this disc - I"m sure the other 400 reviewers can do that just fine. I'm writing this for the young teeny-boppers out there. As a child of the 90s, I never heard those great 60s and 70s bands live or during their era. All you need to know is you still can see DMB right now, and the sound of this disc, and many of their earlier discs, stand out as something that is beautifully unique and will stand the test of time for years to come. This disc has a way of getting into your heart and soul and bringing you to a place far, far away, which is really the purpose of music.

Buy this disc. You won't regret it.

Dave Matthews Band came from the south just as grunge was dying and rock fans were looking for something new, and things don't get much more different than having a full time violinist and sax man.

It took me a while to be sold on DMB because I really didn't care too much for the first single, What Would You Say as I found it a little too odd. But as each subsequent single was released, Ants Marching followed by Satellite, the band grew on my more. Eventually a buddy of mine got me the album for my birthday and I was blown away. The interchanging of the different instrumentation was refreshing and the melodies were so well crafted you never realize that most of the songs clock in at over five minutes.

The album starts off with what still remains as one of my favorite songs, The Best of What's Around. The song start what seems to be the common theme of the album, no matter how bad things get, you still have me, and I still have you so let's live life to the fullest. And whenever you want to go a little further with a lady friend, you can always bust out the line, "See, you and me have a better time than most can dream, have it better than the best." Further along on the album is Dancing Nancies, a clever ditty pondering your life as someone else then realizing the one you have is good enough.

Ants Marching is a great song that I would always put on whenever my life got too monotonous. It always reminds me never to get in a rut or I'd become another marching ant on the sidewalk. Jimi Thing is just on of those songs you need to play in the summertime blaring in your car with the windows down. The song was the highlight of my first ever DMB concert. Then near the end is the best song on the album, Warehouse, a song that has only gotten better with age. If you are lucky, they will play this the next time you go to one of there concerts so you can go "woo" at the beginning. The album caps off with the instrumental #34, which is also the track number, a song is a light, moving song, that plays as a lullaby to the album.

Dave Matthews Band has gone on to make many more album, all of which I own, including most of there live ones, although Under the Table and Dreaming still remains their best.

I was floored. I admit not all at once but I was very taken by this CD. I got this CD in 98. I had never heard of the DMB before this point. I was sitting at home watching something on TV and the show mentioned something about the DMB and I realized I didn't know who they were. The program had wonderful things to say about the group and for some reason I had to go get the CD. Then I though it was weird but now I am a true believer that music choices us we do not choice the music. Music takes its curvy body and wraps its self around us and we have no choice but to surrender. I listened to it, and I listened to it. I even had it set to my CD player to wake me up in the mourning. Honestly I didn't like it at first except for that one song satellite. Two days latter I hated it except for that one song satellite and the groove ants marching. A week after that I hated it except for warehouse, satellite and ants marching and it went on and on until I loved more and more songs and had to listen to them everyday. I craved the Band. The Band is deeper than what you could ever imagine from a few listens. DMB IS a musical black pit that we can fall down for days and days and still not reach its bottom. I have not reached my bottom and if you hear them you will not either.

First of all, while I'm not suprised at all that there are people who don't like DMB, what does bother me is that their criticism is remarkably non-descript. Dave Matthews is a fantastic lyracist (call it yuppie trash if you want) using evocative imagery and metaphor worthy of poetry to give someone something to listen to, not just sing along with. With rhythmic beats not just in 4/4 time, Dave and Carter, the drummer, believe it or not (and almost sadly to say) have created one of the most rhythmically complex sounds of the nineties. In addition, the saxaphone and fiddle (which even I find repetative at times) adds a dimension not commonly seen in the bland, Backstreet Boys era of today. No it is not hardcore, in your ear, ultraloud punk metal, nor does it scream a message in your ear ala Zach de la Rocha (Rage Against the Machine, another of my favorite bands); rather, it is music that energizes with quiet musicallity and lyrics revolving (not tritely) around the universal themes of love, death, God, and so on, which, even if you don't like this particular type of music, anyone can respect.

I have heard all of the DMB albums, and I can say that "Under the Table.." is the best Dave Mathews CD by a hair. While every CD deserves awards and praise, "Under the Table.." has a sound which is just amazing, especially for their second release! Typical Situation is mesmerizing in the way that the melody develops. Ants Marching is simply amazing, and leaves you wanting more. This song pumps you up, and then Lover Lay Down will relax you and make you want a girl in your arms,(or guy, you know). #34 is so gentle and warm that you could fall asleep to it while mowing the lawn. And coming in at the most amazing song on this CD, or live, is Satelite. The sonic power of this song is over whelming, and when the base chord comes in for the first time on the first word of the song, you get goosebumps. If you want to up the ante, listen to Satelite live. The crowd literally goes insane when that recognizable guiter part begins. If you love the sound of a guiter, buy Dave Mathews. If you love symphonic music, Dave Mathews Band is in your alley. I have yet to hear a better combination of Folk, Jazz, Swing, and Easy Listening. Don't get me wrong. I am a hardcore Mettalica fan and I love hard rock. But Dave Mathews is simply the best written music out there. These are real musicians singing the music that they love. And this love of the music shows itself in the passion of their music, and is why their concerts are so incredibly awesome. For those who scold DMB for being "popular" music, they're popular because they're good! Go listen to your N'SYNC or Backstreet Boys. Dave Mathews will be around while all of them, and you, are filling up my yuppie gas tank! For every one else, its good to know that there are still good bands like Dave Mathews Band out there to irritate the losers. Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! You won't regret it, but you will soon be addicted to DMB music. What's wrong with that?