I'm full aware of the stereotypes that this band is a victim of. You can thank your typical college aged doucher for that. I understand that this band isn't for everyone, but i'm not sure that I understand why people choose to hate or make fun of the band without ever really hearing their full catalog.
Now that i've got that off my chest, let's move on to the album review for "Away From The World", currently America's #1 selling album. The band reunited with Steve Lillywhite for the first time since 2000. The last time they had released anything with him as producer was 1998's "Before These Crowded Streets". It's pretty clear he knows how to get the best out of the band in the studio, and it's validated with "Away From The World"
Broken Things-A pretty simple song, with an extremely catchy sing along chorus. It also features a violin solo in the middle, which is interesting because you could argue that Boyd Tinsley has seen his role with the band decrease over the last couple years.
Belly Belly Nice-Straight up sex. This song is this generation's version of "Too Much", except it's not about greed. It's about sex. This packs a punch and you get the funk and the jazz. Strong horns would be the dominating force behind the song, but it's got a pretty cool riff. This song also has a horn section solo and a violin solo. "Gonna eat your belly jelly til' the kingdom come" is the lyric that sticks with you until the end of time. Sex, man. Sex.
Mercy-I understand the main stream appeal, but I just don't really like this song. I do like the horn fills, and the outro is kind of cool although it doesn't really go anywhere. A good song, but definitely one of my least favorites on the album.
Gaucho-This song took a while to grow on me. It's got that whole "change the world" message. Love the fuzzy bass in the middle of the song. This is a weird thing but I kind of like when rock songs incorporate choirs, and this song features a stop down with a children's choir at the end of it. Although calling them a choir is kind of offensive to actual choirs. It's more just kids screaming the chorus. It works though, along with a pretty mean saxaphone solo from Jeff Coffin.
Sweet-One thing about this record is that it's dominated by Dave. This song is mostly him playing a ukulele, but it really is one of the more celebrated slow/love songs. I really like it. When the full band comes in at the end, it really proves that this song was perfectly done in the studio. They knocked it out of the park here, even though it's one of the more dry songs on the album.
The Riff-I rank this one strong to quite strong. It starts out with Dave solo, playing a really difficult riff, although it's a classic Dave style riff. Of all the songs on the album, I really think Lillywhite's influence is evident on this one the most. This is a very well produced, 5 minutes. I love this song.
Belly Full-They sandwich a 1:45 song between two 5 minute monsters. Dave solo, with a really simple love song. The change of pace in the chorus is the highlight for me. Nice and quick.
If Only-The second single from the album, and it's the most bluesy tune on the album. A song of despair and hunger for a long lost love. Overall just a really good adult alternative song. Great work with the violin and horns at the end of the song, and really strong fills from Tim Reynolds on the electric guitar. This is a beauty.
Rooftop-Not sure really what to think of this one yet. It has a fast paced Dave guitar riff to begin the song, but then the chorus kind of comes out of nowhere to smack you in the face. Lyrically the chorus is extremely weak, if not lazy, but the payoff is there because it is a pretty rocking chorus. This one is the biggest question mark on the album to me. I think I like it though.
Snow Outside-Sounds like a country song most of the way with some really strong musicianship by all members of the band. The last two minutes it accelerates and turns into a full fledged jam session, to lead us into the final track of the album. Really like this song, and it has extreme potential when played live.
Drunken Soldier-There's a lot going on here. This one clocks in at 9:48, and you get a funky, almost country riff at the beginning of it. It then peters off into more of a classical guitar style part, before the horns and other instruments come in, for a pretty amazing song intro. Boyd then plays one of the most beautiful violin pieces he has ever played in my opinion. The song then goes on a high speed blast until the 6 minute mark and it turns into a soft 4 minute segment that is a cross between something Neil Young might do, but it also had some Pink Floyd tendencies. The work by the brass section is phenomenal, and it's really a perfect way to end the album as it fades out, with the "that's not a star, it's a satellite" line.
Overall, I really like this album. I'm not sure where to rank it on the DMB totem pole, but I know that Steve Lillywhite definitely helped make this album sound as good as it is. Great musicianship, somewhat decent lyrics, and an album with not a single turd on it's ledger. Check it out, even if you're not a DMB fan. Highlights are "If Only" "The Riff" "Belly Belly Nice" "Sweet" and "Drunken Soldier".
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