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CD Review: <I>Everyday</I> offers 'DMB' fans another perspective

Date 3/8/2001 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & Culture

After numerous release date changes, a full-out material scrapping and producer switch, the Dave Matthews Band emerges out of the turmoil to bring fans Everyday, the long-awaited fifth studio album release that arrived in stores Feb. 27.

The Dave Matthews Band traded in familiarity for daring in the production of Everyday. Producer Glen Ballard, known for his work on Alanis Morrisette's multi-platinum Jagged Little Pill, took the place of former DMB producer Steve Lillywhite. The recording setting moved from the comforts of the band's home-base Charlottesville, Va., to the seclusion of a Los Angeles studio.

Matthews and Ballard underwent intense sessions of songwriting and recording in the seclusion of Ballard's Los Angeles studio to resurrect the status of Everyday, an album that until then faced the threat of drowning in frustration and creative drought.

Together Matthews and Ballard experimented with the sound offerings that come from a baritone guitar, resulting in a departure from the acoustic-reliant sound so characteristic to DMB's music. The departure from acoustic is strikingly unique, resulting in an infusion of electronics that create an aggressive energy that remains constant throughout the album.

The resonating sounds border on overcrowding, as the instrumentation in Everyday offers few solos. LeRoi Moore's saxophone injects soul, but not to the same saturation as in previous albums.

Violinist Boyd Tinsley offers vocals in the album's first single "I Did It" and finds another strumming function, pizzicato, for his violin. Despite his expanded roles, Tinsley's strong-armed string assaults are less dominant, an unfortunate alteration.

Carter Beauford's percussion talent gives a strong sense of rhythm to the tracks and Stephan Lessard's skill with the electric bass explains why, even at age 16, the members felt him a more-than-welcome addition to the band.

The Dave Matthews Band remains consistent in explorative composition, marrying their standard for nonconforming sound with Matthews' strength in songwriting. The music remains uncategorizable and the lyrics are, for the most part, as inventive as fans have come to expect.

Ballard's keyboards on "The Space Between" is elevating; a positive contribution to one of the album's highlights. In addition to the keyboards, the song has a gorgeous blend of vibrating guitar, steady percussion, robust bass and emotive vocals.

The track "Mother, Father" reunites Matthews with living legend Carlos Santana, whose electric guitar offers passionate cries complimentary to searching lyrics like "Mother father please explain to me/.While still blessed in all the things we see/ Such a sad sad home for you and me."

The love ballad "Angel" is musically pleasing but, despite the enticing introductory riff, it is lyrically not among the best examples of Matthews' prowess in romantic poetry.

One thing fans will not miss is the captivating ability of Matthews' voice. In Matthews' voice, Daveheads find a comforting hand to hold as they travel through Everyday, a daring venture into another world of rock. Matthews' voice soothes and soars, a driving force track-by-track.

Moving from the jam-based method of recording and songwriting to a method marked by refinement, the Dave Matthews Band met the challenge of a new album by challenging its fans to appreciate change.

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Amy Domaszek
Chips Staff Writer

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