New Dave Matthews Band - "Funny The Way It Is"
After the tragic passing of saxophonist LeRoi Moore, '90s campus-favorites Dave Matthews Band regrouped and soldiered on with an emotional show the night of his death and plans for a new album. The set's titled Big Whiskey & The GrooGrux King, due 6/2 on RCA. It's their seventh. They've made lead single "Funny The Way It Is" available for the price of an email here, and released a pretty emotional video trailer talking about the record, and what it's like moving on after a death in the family. "If this is the last album that I make, it's the only album I hope people listen to," Matthews says. If that sounds dramatic, you have to imagine he's going through some dramatic times.
Here's the single in streaming form:
Big Whiskey & The Groogrux King is out 6/2 via RCA. Tracklist:
01 "Grux"
02 "Shake Me Like A Monkey"
03 "Funny The Way It Is"
04 "Lying In The Hands Of God"
05 "Why I Am"
06 "Dive In"
07 "Spaceman"
08 "Squirm"
09 "Alligator Pie (Cockadile)"
10 "Seven"
11 "Time Bomb"
12 "My Baby Blue"
13 "You And Me"
And it'll look like this:
Here are their tour dates.
Posted at 2:11 PM by amrit in Album Art, MP3, Video
Tags: Dave Matthews Band
DMB is hippie-stoner junk, but it's kind of at the top of the junk pile. There's a handful of their songs I really enjoy.
Score = 4
well....you all obviously care enough about them to write a review. Personally, I love DMB and am not afriad to admit it. they make great music and put on fantastic shows. so enough with the "...I am so indie-hippie and dmb are sell outs..." cough poser cough What about phish? should their music be considered mainstream, sell out, poser-hippie crap just because they have a million fans around the world? Yeah, so DMB has made tons of money and become oober-famous....isn't that what all musicians aspire to. they do keep it real and write great music. sorry not every band can be another Dispatch and be in it "just for the music"....got news for you....even those bands are raking it in. I suppose everyone has an opinion and they are entitled to it. but come on....you all know you've had at least one memorable dmb moment...and if you're not a fan, I suggest going to a show. Then you will have a new appreciation for them and the music they make. i respect everyone's opinion and take it for what it is....you should all do the same.
Score = -6
Well put. And regardless of how people feel about the music, it's always a sad thing when an influential musician passes.
Score = 2
I don't do drugs and I go to the shows every year at least two or three, Im just making an assumption, and you know I could be wrong here, but, #1 You aren't a musician, and #2 You have never seen these guys live. They have songs i can't stand but the music is great. Hippie stoner junk i would say is a bit harsh, man
Score = 2
get the fuck outta here andrew. you obvi don't appreciate the music and are just another asshole who judges others. Do us all a favor and stfu
Score = 0
what? why?
Score = 3
This band got soo white!!!
Score = -6
One of the best DMB songs to come along in some time. Fitting.
http://diggingfordays.blogspot.com
Score = -3
Another band that should not be on AN INDIE MUSIC BLOG!
Score = -48
Band = ehhh. Drummer = POWERHOUSE.
Score = 22
is this supposed to be troll bait? i have nothing but sympathy for their pain. but in terms of advertising their painfully bland and meaningless music, isn't this a job for rolling stone or spin?
Score = 12
Oops on your cover art, huh Dave?
Score = -5
Yeah, let's tear DMB apart because they aren't indie or Dan Deacon! They're different!
Pitchfork! Torches! Tar and feather!
Whoooooooo!!!!
More Interpol, Jack White, Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kanye, Death Cab, Green Day, Beck, Decemberists, No Doubt news please!!!
Wait, fuck.
Score = 36
if dmb is one thing, different sure isn't it.
Score = 6
"Pitchfork," lol.
Score = 16
Taylor Swift's music is different from what Stereogum covers as well.
Score = 2
after a long time following this band, i can say that the dreaming tree is pretty much the only thing this band did worth a damn
Score = -8
come on guys you can do so much worse than this band.
Score = 13
For all the hate they undeservingly get, its Funny The Way It Is that in 20 years, hipster kids our age will probably be praising DMB much like we do now with Springsteens and Tom Petty.
Score = 10
I'm gonna say no to that one.
Score = 23
Go ahead, say "no" now all you want, because the you in 20 years is going to say "yes" and that's where the discussion ends.
Score = -9
History will also be the ultimate judge of the Bush Administration. You just wait until we're all dead. Then you'll see I was right.
Score = 6
But Springsteen has written some of the best songs of the century and DMB keeps writing the same one every five years or so...
Score = 4
Speak for yourself, brah...
Springsteen and Petty are plain awful.
My ears tell me that...
It's just all big A-Hole music.
Score = -2
Why can't some of you accept the band for what it is? It should be of no surprise to many of you that the band has been around for this long. As a fan of The DMB, I enjoy their music and have had the privileged of seeing them live in concert. Good song writers and amazing musicians when they play live. I love them just as much as I love the latest indie-rock buzz band... but it seems like some of you are too-cool to admit that you like this band and can't wait to bash it and justify yourselves by saying the band is too mainstream and/or overrated. Everyone is free to express themselves but don't say they are at the top of any junk-pile just because they are not to your liking. A band like DMB has been around long enough to deserve some respect. Even from some of you wannabe know-it-alls.
Score = 12
Yeah, I was going to ask how long we have to wait until it will be ironic enough to love DMB again.
I'll admit I listened to a ton of dmb in my jr.high-freshman years, but ya know, taste evolves (thank god). But I agree that the dmb-hate is a bit undeserving, they've never tried to be something they're not. It's always been one of those bands that "what you hear is what you get"--no surprises. And that makes them a complete bore to most of us, but some people are completely content to listen to that style. I also agree that DMB coverage is more fit for Rolling Stone, but geez who cares?! Skip over the post if you're uninterested... the appeal of this story is more about it being a human interest piece rather than "omg we're so psyched about this new album!" kind. Relax kids relax. Let's all throw MPP on our turntables and take a deep breath....it'll be ok.
Score = 24
I'm in the same boat...I was a huge fan for about two years in high school and moved on after they released Everyday instead of The Lillywhite Sessions. I bought their last album out of curiosity and it bored me to tears. Still, I could never hate the band, but honestly, I don't think it's the band that turns a lot of people off, but rather the rabid fan base (or at least the vocal portion of it) who seem to listen to nothing but DMB and DMB-related artists and refuse to accept criticism that's any harsher than, "Before These Crowded Streets is better than Everyday."
Score = 14
Your post is generally quite reasonable, except that they really are promoting DMB's music. They provide news about the release date of the album, give a link to the song, and include a trailer/preview about their album.
Obviously, this is a terribly sad and unfortunate thing, and I'm sure very painful for Dave, the rest of the band and all their fans. But that still doesn't mean their music should be promoted here.
Score = -11
Cut the faux populist bullshit. Dave Matthews is boring.
Score = -9
I noted that in my post... in addition to my populist bullshit.
Score = 10
my initial reaction was to stop reading stereogum because i thought it would one of the few places i could avoid any and all DMB news...apparently i was wrong. this is pointless, as is the band. they are absolutely terrible. yes, that's my opinion and i'm entitled to every piece of it.
Score = -15
What I guess the rest of us didn't realize is that your opinion should dictate what is posted on Stereogum. Sincerest apologies, on behalf of us all.
Score = 3
Hey bros, anyone down for some ultimate frisbee?
Score = 32
Only if we can play Gamecube after
Score = 19
Hate on DMB all you want, but you let me know when you can compete with any of the athletes in this clip...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAyEti-_lR8
Score = -5
Thank you stereogum for making that final leap over the shark!
Score = -13
honestly, i kind of like that stereogum reports on some of these bands we all used to listen to as kids but dont follow anymore. its like hearing an update on an old friend who you don't keep in touch with anymore.
i remember that if you didn't like dmb in high school, you were a total square. so for those of you who rip them apart here, i take comfort in the fact that, even though you are cooler than i am now, you were probably a huge tool in high school and got no chicks.
finally, that video is pretty heavy. sucks leroi passed on.
Score = 19
These 400 character rants have to go. Aren't blog comments supposed to be a short, snarky quip?
Anyway, DMB is a great live band. However, this song, like most of their recent material, is forgettable.
Score = 1
man u guys are obnoxious. you confuse fan culture with the music. that might have a lot to do with why you're all "indie" fans anyway... you feel marginalized in life so you seek out only the music that doesn't have cultural associations w/ the people who left you out in high school, et cetera (or the people that you thought weren't "smart").
my point is, dave matthews band makes a lot of really good music. get over yourselves and become music fans, not scene seekers.
Score = -2
Carter is arguably one of the top 10 drummers in the world. Boyd plays the violin like nobody else. Sure, Dave is only average, and Stefan, well, lets face it, anyone can play bass. But, as a band, DMB is great. If they weren't good, they wouldn't sell out concerts of 70,000 people 4 days in a row at the same place, and then do it again at another place, and then again, and again, and well you get the drift. People who don't appreciate DMB's music, don't appreciate music at all. There are plenty of bands I don't like, but I don't complain about them, I just don't listen to them, and if I have a friend who does, I'm not rude and make them change what's playing. Point being everyone is entitled to their opinion, but negative opinions are usually best kept to yourself. If you are that irritated by their music, I'm sure they're at least glad you took time out of your incredible life to bash them. Dave is one of the nicest and most appreciative guys around, and would never say anything negative about anyone. Give him the same respect.
Score = 2
"If they weren't good, they wouldn't sell out concerts of 70,000 people 4 days in a row at the same place, and then do it again at another place, and then again, and again, and well you get the drift."
That's exactly what I tell people who don't think Hannah Montana is the best artist in America. Spot on.
Score = 14
see if she does the same in 10 years--- only then will there be some validity to your witty remark. better luck next time.
Score = 4
Britney still sells out shows 10 years later. Madonna, 20 years. Does that mean they are respectable?
Score = 3
Whatever. You're clearly manipulating the situation. Artists including Petty, Springsteen etc etc have also been selling out shows for X amount of years, but you choose to compare the likes to Madonna and Brit. All I was saying that the success of DMB has some longevity to it--- I can't imagine the same for Hannah Montana.
And for what it's worth, despite the fact I don't care for her-- Madonna will long outlive god's greatest gift-- Animal Collective.
Score = 2
This is hilarious. Have you ever been in an argumen beforet? They weren't "manipulating" anything just because they went a different direction with the statement than you would have liked. They were pointing out that longevity and popularity do not automatically equal quality.
Score = -3
When she does it for 15 years running maybee your, smart a$$ comeback would be a point
Score = 0
i dont care that you're defending dmb... whatever, do what you will. but your musical ignorance just made me laugh. their violinist sucks. his parts are simple and his "solos" are generic. and anyone can play the bass???? HA! they actually have a good bassist. i can tell you are not a musician. and if you are... well then... you suck.
"people who don't appreciate DMB's music, don't appreciate music at all." in addition to your egregious use of a comma there, i think that statement alone nominates you for worst post ever.
have a nice day.
Score = -12
No. I've been a violinist for over a decade and Boyd is one of the best rock violinist I've ever heard. Playing violin and not making it sound folksy or overly classical is not only difficult, but rarely done. Artists like Andrew Bird, Owen Pallett, Petra Haden, Sarah Neufeld, etc. are decidedly excellent but all obviously classically trained and not that great at extemp or improvisational playing, which is where true genius shows itself. Rarely do you have a violinist in such an incredibly mainstream band who is often featured so prominently and ALWAYS tears it up. His energy and enthusiasm is ridiculous. I think a lot of what I said can be applied to other DMB members (especially Carter and the late LeRoi).
Score = 9
This is such a genuinely nice and non-hateful post, I hate to say anything snarky but, er...welcome to the internet? Every band has their detractors, no matter how nice or good they are.
Also, they are good musicians...well, the rhythm section at least...but Dave being average is kind of the whole reason they got old for me. The songwriting just wasn't up to par. There's a lot of bands with great musicianship who can write excellent songs, so there's not much reason for me to listen to DMB anymore.
Score = -3
it was his role in because of winn-dixie that finally got me.
Score = 4
Anyone can play bass? You're a fucking idiot, learn something about music. (For the record, I'm neither a bass player, nor defending DMB).
Score = 1
i'm real excited. seeing boyd get emotional about leoris passing is pretty sad. i'm sure it will be a wonderful tribute to their friend. here is to hoping it is better than their last studio release!
Score = 8
it sounds like the vivian girls submitted most of these comments.
get over yourselves.
Score = 2
so true.
Score = 1
am i the only person to notice the riff from that opening song on the video (that no one probably watched) is pretty much the same riff from cameo's 1986 jamtastic party starter "word up"? take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKmtsN_gzMM
no comment on dmb's music...
Score = 0
I love it! I saw the lyrics at http://www.funnythewayitis.com - which for some reason I always have to look at when I hear a song I am anticipating for the first time. I definitely can't wait for the album - June 2!
Score = 3
go to a dmb show, and try to act like you're not having fun. bet you can't do it.
Score = 3
I honestly fell asleep seeing them live back in 2001. The twenty-minute "Two Step" was too much to take. Plus the blanket my then girlfriend brought for us to sit on was super comfy.
Score = -2
Well... lets see... I'm guessing all of you that have the insight and knowledge that apparently DMB "has yet to find".. let me ask all of you this ? Are any of you going to playing sold out arenas around the world anytime soon?.... NOPE didn't think so... and do u really think that Dave gives a crap what u think anyway?.... so do us all a favor and stick what u critics do best.... stand in the shadows and never amount to anything even close to DMB.....!!!! To all those that support.. keep it alive.. u all have amazing taste!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Score = -3
Well... lets see... I'm guessing all of you that have the insight and knowledge that apparently DMB "has yet to find".. let me ask all of you this ? Are any of you going to playing sold out arenas around the world anytime soon?.... NOPE didn't think so... and do u really think that Dave gives a crap what u think anyway?.... so do us all a favor and stick what u critics do best.... stand in the shadows and never amount to anything even close to DMB.....!!!! To all those that support.. keep it alive.. u all have amazing taste!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Score = -5
I like DMB for several reasons: he's a talented musician who once in a while uses that talent to effect; his music is generally tolerable (for truly bland stuff you only have to sit through an hour of adult contemporary radio, or alternatively buy your coffee at Starbucks)-- I'm almost indifferent; and most importantly, my girlfriend likes him...and I like her.
For my next trick I'll tell you why Coldplay is more interesting than Radiohead...
Score = -6
Guys, let's get down to brass tacks here.
Is new DMB album > or < MPP/Veckatimist?
Score = -1
Formula:
MPP/Veckatimest dx
Now differentiate like so:
(dx = Big Whiskey & the Groogux King) (x = MPP/Veckatimest)
MPP/Veckatimest (Big Whiskey & the Groogux King) = 21st Century Breakdown
Score = -1
no
Score = 1
It's interesting how many people on here see the need to define their own musical taste by bashing other people's tastes.
Score = 6
i like that sad/lame acoustic riff when they're talking about their late saxophonist/friend. is it actually a song?
Score = -2
Funny the way it is. Can you listen to yourself? Aside from this new album's musical and techinal side, the lyrics of Dave Matthews have always been insightful and very fitting to most life on this planet. I'am a fan of DMB's previous album Stand Up, although not as impactful as past work, the album still holds a timeless message. The ever-evolving sound of a band is exciting. With that said, their have been numerous bands of the course of history that have produced so-so albums and are still legendary. So I say don't let a few "bad albums" ruin your view of a strong, accomplished band.
Score = 3
Boring? Live, they are musical supermen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHMudKi_Fqs
Let me know when you can hold a note for that long at the top of your chest voice range!
Score = 1
Still doesn't mean they're not boring.
Score = 2
Without making any judgment on the quality of DMB's music, I simply do not think Stereogum should be writing about them. They are not an indie band, plain and simple. I'm tolerant of other peoples' tastes, and sure it's pretty hard to define what is and isn't indie. But for there to be any standards whatsoever, a line must be drawn that excludes artists that are very clearly not indie, and DMB definitely falls into that category.
Score = -1
Moreover, in response to those who keep saying, "Oh, but they're such excellent musicians! And so many people love their music!"
So? I'm pretty sure that part of enjoying indie music is that great technical proficiency is not necessarily sufficient for great music — and in fact not even necessary. If I'm not mistaken, Pavement is a fairly seminal group for fans of indie music. By the standards of people trumpeting DMB's technical proficiency, everyone's favorite artists should all be like jazz musicians and Yngwie Malmsteen or something.
And by its nature, indie is not mainstream — meaning that the popularity of any given artist should have very little relation to how much indie music fans like them.
Sorry to be overtly snobby, but the fact is this is an indie blog, and there should be SOME sort of self-censorship amongst fans of indie music, or else what's to differentiate it from top 40 or any other music?
Score = 0
in all honesty i think dave matthews band has sounded exactly the same as they did when they came out & they really care more about touring & the experience of their fans than creating some life changing music. i really don't hate on them as musicians, its the people that go rambling on about how this group is the greatest thing ever and how nothing else but his albums and going to the concerts are the highlight of their outlook on life that drives me fucking crazy. just like tool, ben harper and pearl jam, their obnoxious idolizing fans ruin that music for me
Score = 0
Are we actually surprised that stereogum reports on mediocrity? Rock is dead mofos... all you did was trade in your DMB sandals and hoodies for "indie" skinny jeans and beards. The fuckng Yeah Yeah Yeahs are posted on every 2 1/2 god damned seconds, and you're pissed about this shit? Come on. Get a life and listen to god damned glitch you pack of pretentious melodramatic bitches.
Score = 4
but I like my beard....
Score = -1
i hope it's the last album they make, too
Score = -3
stereogum, what the fuck is this?
Score = -3
its funny. You can obviously tell the people who have not been to the live concerts, and base their whole opinion off studio releases. If they weren't a good band, why would the Rolling Stone give them the number two seat in "best live bands ever." That right there proves all you haters wrong. You are entitled to like whatever you like, but don't go saying they're a terrible band and they can't make music.
Score = 0
Not a fan now, but they got me into Sonny Rollins [and therefore jazz] and once, in a Spin interview, Dave said he wished he had a nose on the end of his dick. And that is awesome.
Score = 2
Well... lets see... I'm guessing all of you that have the insight and knowledge that apparently DMB "has yet to find".. let me ask all of you this ? Are any of you going to playing sold out arenas around the world anytime soon?.... NOPE didn't think so... and do u really think that Dave gives a crap what u think anyway?.... so do us all a favor and stick what u critics do best.... stand in the shadows and never amount to anything even close to DMB.....!!!! To all those that support.. keep it alive.. u all have amazing taste!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Score = -1
I don't like this band but the fact that so many people got upset about this post is sad and plays into the pretentious, snobby hipster stereotype. If you don't like a band, move on.
Score = 3
I've never complained about the content decisions by Stereogum staff...until now. DMB WTF? I didn't like them even before I got into indie rock. What next, a Creed reunion for the next post?
Score = -3
You sniveling indie kids need to get the fuck over yourselves. Being at the heart of Dan Deacon Wham City art-rock bullshit i can tell you what, sometimes it is refreshing just to throw some old DMB from my high school saxophone playing days and relax. And remember a time when wearing skinny jeans was stupid and having more than two dozen fans was considered good.
You all realize that the Hold Steady is opening for these guys this Summer at a couple shows? That, to me anyway, is pretty awesome.
Why do people hate these guys so much? Douchebag fans? Yeah, frat guys are dicks. But you know what, Iggy Pop fans were dicks back in the day. Count the "x'ed" out raver wasted at the next Daft Punk show.
How exactly did they "sell out" I mean they formed a band, wrote their own songs/ music, played them for people and people bought it? They weren't manufactured. They worked on their own touring almost non-stop, keeping ticket prices REASONABLE when they could easily have been charging a lot more.
So what did they do to offend people so much?
Score = 2
some of the greatest times of my life was when listening to this band... all of their albums have been hits. from busted stuff to the central park live concerts.. this band will go down in history as one of the best... screw everyone who thinks otherwise..
Score = 1
Dave melts my heart. I would marry him in a heartbeat, then bought tons of earplugs which would be needed whenever he starts writing his shitty music.
Score = 0
dmb, is an inspiration to everyone who has emotions. there is a moment in life for everyone, whom the dmb captures in music and lyrics, they have so many songs that hit home, thats real, and they know how to dish it out real, the song bartender, freaking awesome, 41, grey street, halloween, say goodbye, if there has never been a moment that one of these songs dont make you want to jump up and run and sing, and feel alive, your allready dead....
Score = 0