Big Sound, Big Changes – DMB’s Big Whiskey
Dave Matthews Band has returned with an all new album and an all new sound, after a four year hiatus of sorts. There newest album “Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King” has departed from earlier works by the DMB.
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.
In 2008 Moore died from complications caused by an ATV accident. Jeff Coffin, has since taken that role of saxophonist, in the studio. Many believe that the band came back together to make a tribute album, of sorts, to Moore. This is seen throughout many tracks on the album.
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.
The New Orleans French Quarter sound finds its way into the album alongside more Delta Blues sounding songs and other clear laments. All in all the album is solid with band’s ability play showing through even in the absence of LeRoi Moore.
While it is a departure from past albums, true fans of the band are likely to find the feeling of the music little changed, although the sound has. If those same fans have found the heart of the sound with the Dave Matthews Band before, they will find it again here, and enjoy the little bit of change the band offers up. “Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King” is sure to become a DMB classic on par with “Under the Table and Dreaming” and “Crash”, even though it may take a little getting used to if your listening to it right after those albums.