{this is how i waste my time}

neuski:

Dave Matthews Band - Funny The Way It Is

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I was debating posting this the other day when it was released, deciding I needed more time with the song before I could add my reaction.

I must admit, I was very nervous before listening to it the first time.  It’s been 11 years since DMB released their last studio album that I truly fell in love with.  Everyday was complete crap (save for “When the World Ends,” ”If I Had It All, ” and ”What You Are.”  And I didn’t even really like those until I had heard them live).  Busted Stuff—a pretty good album overall—was only released because the demos had been leaked and fans rallied long enough for it happen.  The album never really felt like a completed work to me, however.  And Stand Up pretty much sucked as well until they figured out how to play some of the songs live.

When it comes to DMB, I’ll be the first to admit that I get pretty snobby.  I enjoy being able to say I’ve been in their online fan club since 1999.  A lot of their more recent stuff I haven’t forgiven them for, but I still support them, listen to their music, and give them way too much of my money through concert tickets nonetheless.

This new song worried me a little during my first listen.  The initial verse does this weird thing where the beat of the music and Dave’s singing don’t quite match up in a way I like.  With more listens I finally “got it” and it’s grown on me.  The chorus seems a little forced, but it’s too catchy not too like.  Same thing goes for the bridge. They then bring in Boyd’s violin solo and Tim Reynold’s guitar solo.  Both of these should lead to great entry points into 5 or 10-minute jams.  This song could easily be a 15+ minute live gem.

The song is heavy on Tim’s electric guitar and lacks any horns, but I like it.  A lot.  That’s saying a lot given that their initial singles off of albums aren’t always the best songs.  Only about 6 more weeks until Big Whisky and the Groogrux King comes out.