Review Summary: After delivering three excellent records in the 90’s, Dave Matthews Band falters for the first time in their career.
Dave Matthews Band is a band that has always known how to put on a great show. The band was a massive hit in the 90’s, having released three great albums and gaining popularity by tearing it up on stage. Records “Under the Table and Dreaming,” “Crash,” and “Before These Crowded Streets” were critically acclaimed and were major hits with fans. The latter is arguably the band’s best release and illustrated their diversity. “Before These Crowded Streets” was a much darker record than its predecessors, and included fan favorites such as
Crush,
The Stone, and
Pig. Following the 1998 release however, the band faced its first setback with the 2000 release “Everyday.”
“Everyday” was considered to be much “poppier” than the 90’s records, and really doesn’t live up to them in any way. This album was composed of twelve somewhat unoriginal tracks that don’t include the transitions and changes that made the previous records so good. This becomes an issue because it exposes another flaw; lyrics. Dave Matthews has never been a great lyricist, but has the ability to write excellent lyrical tracks from time to time. “Everyday” suffers from this throughout most of the record, and is especially displayed in
If I Had it All. This keyboard driven ballad has the instrumentation to be a good track, but falters due to lyrics such as, “If I were king, if I had everything, If I had you and I could give you my dreams. If I were giant-sized on top of it all, then tell me what in the world I would sing for, If I had it all.” Opener
I Did It is another example of this. The track is very catchy and upbeat, but is really brought down by, “I did it, Do you think I’ve gone too far? I did it, guilty as charged. I did it, it was me right or wrong. I did it, yeah.”
Another issue plaguing the record is the lack of breakdowns and solos that is normally associated with Dave Matthews Band. Several of the tracks are rather straightforward and really lack any type of complexity. Violinist Boyd Tinsley had major implications on the success of the three previous albums, especially in tracks
Lie in Our Graves from “Crash” and
The Stone from “Before These Crowded Streets.” Tinsley however, is virtually non-existent here, occasionally delivering short interludes during breakdowns.
Despite the flaws, “Everyday” does have its strong points. Saxophonist Leroi Moore is especially brilliant on
Sleep to Dream Her, which is a fairly basic ballad that Moore escalates.
What You Are is clearly the best song here; its originality and darkness suggests that it does not belong on this record. Matthews’ vocals are the most powerful and emotional they have been the entire album, and the track has a very mysterious feel. Title track
Everyday is another one of the few highlights, featuring a guest appearance by South African Vusi Mahlasela on vocals. This song contributes to the “poppy” theme of the record and is typically much more enjoyable live.
When the World Ends, is a hook-laden love song in which possesses a great deal of sing-along value. Even these highlights however, are mediocre compared to the band’s earlier work and seem uninspired.
After delivering three excellent records in the 90’s, Dave Matthews Band falters for the first time in their career. Unfortunately, “Everyday” was the beginning of a decline for studio releases for the band, as they have yet to reach the standards set in the 90’s. “Everyday” is not a bad album, for it is rather average. Even when the album is at its best, it is no better than good.
Recommended Tracks:
When the World Ends
Sleep to Dream Her
What You Are
Everyday
