Review Dave Matthews

Dave Matthews “Some Devil” (RCA Records Label, 2003)

It would seem quite strange for the lead singer/songwriter/guitarist of the Dave Matthews Band, Dave Matthews, to come out with a solo album, but he does it while still changing his style up a bit. He not only writes the songs for the band, but has it named after him. In “Some Devil,” Dave Matthews captures a sense of tranquil sadness throughout the entire album. He talks about love, heartache, and death. The first song “Dodo,” sets the mood and tempo for the rest of the album. “Once upon a time, When the world was just a pancake, Fears would arise, That if you went too far, You'd fall, But with the, Passage of time, It all became more of a ball, We're as sure of that, As we all once were when the world was flat.” This song sheds light on how we all can be naive at times and allow ourselves to accept what this world has to give us. Dave Matthews brings you into a world that is a darker one than the one from the Dave Matthews Band. His first solo album, though not as up-beat and jam blasting as it is with the band, still puts on a show of poetic genius through his lyrics. This album let’s you focus on his own experimental writing style.

The album carries 13 great singles that each one seems to have a great distinct sound to it, and doesn’t feel repetitive at all. There’s an extra added bonus at the end, which is an acoustic version of the “Gravedigger” song. You can almost feel the sorrow and sadness in the song “Gravedigger,” which gives the idea of how short life can be and how death is no stranger to any of us. With “Save Me,” he makes a religious reference to Jesus, “He'd been walking there for 20 days, He was going to walk on, For 20 more, Said "How about a drink or a bite to eat?", He said "No, my faith is all I need," which shows us we can all save ourselves with hope and determination, even in a confused and troubled world. Though this is no “Crash Into Me,” or “Grey Street,” Matthews still has that soothing relaxing voice that helps tell his story. He seems to pull out all the stops with instruments that compliment his guitar like the saxophone on “Dodo,” or the violin on “Baby,” that adds that romantic vibe to the song. He holds a mellow sensation, and then spins you out of control with the beat of the drums, or the strumming of his electric or acoustic guitar that electrifies the sound in the songs. Whether you listen to DMB or just Dave Matthews, you won’t be disappointed with the sound.