2009 - RCA (Division of Sony)
Track Listing
1) Shake Me Like A Monkey 4:00
2)Funny The Way It Is 4:26
3) Lying In The Hands Of God 5:13
4) Why I Am 3:53
5) Dive In 4:26
6) Spaceman 4:08
7) Squirm 5:32
8) Alligator Pie 3:59
9) Seven 4:17
10) Time Bomb 3:59
11) Baby Blue 3:41
12) You & Me 5:40
DMB formed in 1990 and have released many live and studio albums . Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King debuted at number one on Billboard 200, giving DMB their fifth consecutive number one debut, making them the only band besides Metallica to do so.
The seventh studio album of DMB, dedicated to the life of LeRoi Moore ( featured as the "GrooGrux King" on the album cover). The term GrooGrux was coined to describe the "vibe" and "energy" of their "wild-sounding rhythms" they made when they started playing music together. Theres something about this album that just makes you want to hear it over and over again. There is just this infectious enthusiasm. You can tell that they really enjoy themselves.
The first track I heard from this album was "Spaceman" and i loved it instantly "probably get it wrong as much i get it right, but i got it right, woman when i caught your eye". There's a sensuality and a honesty to the track. The honesty comes from the lyrics as well as the repetitive scales. "I'm not all bad but I'm a faithful sinner,I might get lost but ill be home for dinner". Dave Matthews gravel really shows in this track. Catchy lyrics and a thumpin' bass, perfection!
I deem the intro to "Shake Me Like a Monkey as a sort of tribute to Moore, the singular saxophone. Which then kicks into the "Grux", filling the room with intensity and just plain funkiness. Grux is the only to describe it. The lyrics are basically telling you that love is the answer, and you should do what you need to find it "I ain't waitin' for the world to change, gunna change the world for you". I really don't know how to describe this fusion of sounds that create such a memorable ensemble. Its funky, bluesy, jazzy, sexy all rolled into one. Definitely up there for this album.
"Dive In" takes it down a little bit, telling you to take in more of the world, to open your horizons, and maybe not everything is as perfect as we like to believe. "Do you think we will wake up in a world that's on its way to getting better?". Tim Reynolds electric solo draws out and gives you thinking time. The track end with "dive in and empty ocean" with a distorted fade out that imposes a sense of doom.
The bluegrass/blues vibe to "Alligator Pie" just add another dimension to this album. Its toe tapping perfect, the combination of the banjo, electric, bass and kick drum gives it and intensity which just drops off and becomes very bluesy and cruisey- as as Dave Matthews draws
out the lyrics with the music.I cannot for life of me decipher the first verse of "Seven" (or some of the chorus for that matter)(but you can in this video..), but its still a fucking sexy song. Heavy with the drums and bass, making it earthy and grounded. The sax brings it just that little bit under the belt along with little bits of suggestive lyrical content "I can still taste you, and I will again". And "red is the colour of the sun with my eyes closed" such a dreamy line.. perfect end..
Its completely understandable that this was nominated for album of the year, and I find it terribly disappointing that it missed out. But this album is definitely worth the time of day. Its and instant pick up, a blend of so many styles in one and pure vocals.
Enjoy.
Pour L'amour
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