The David Matthews Band’s eighth album is their strongest in many years.
Away From the World displays more levity than their usual tastefully complex sound. The Virginia-based group is uncategorizable: a player’s band with ultra-tight chops flying about. They’re also at the nexus of hippie and hipster avoiding allegiance to either.
They have a trademarked sound for sure. There’s Dave Matthews’ stalwart unchanging voice, the violin/saxophone interplay, and the tasteful drum patterns. The band’s organic image has never gotten in the way of instrumental prowess or in-your-face emoting.
On their second album with super-producer Steve Lillywhite, the songs (primarily ballads and fiery jam tracks) are honed to a sharp focus. As well, Matthews isn’t trafficking in bluster – he’s singing of kinder, gentler themes and exploring higher registers.
The group sounds serious but not heavy. They create their familiar swirl of sound with Matthews doing his emotional image shifting above.
The core band (Matthews, vocals and guitar; Steffan Lessard, bass, Rhodes; Carter Beauford, drums; Boyd Tinsley violin) are joined by Tim Reynolds on guitar, Rashawn Ross on trumpet, and Jeff Coffin on sax and flute. Their compressed brand of sophisto-funk is finely represented on Belly Belly Nice, an ecstatic surefire festival freak out.
The DMB really digs into the ballads on this recording. Sweet has an air of poignancy, Matthews sings of aging, that shifts to a stately closing section that gives its share of shivers. Belly Full is a similar mild strum song – short but atmospheric.
From there, the band’s inventive groove making is given a subtle and sexy punch on If Only that reaches back to ‘70s R&B with pretty guitar work from Reynolds and an aching soulman vocal from Matthews.
The group’s churning lines are in classic DMB form on Rooftop, where Matthews revisits past dramatic territory – desire and lust. But never indelicately!
They sound inspired and committed and they’ve expanded their sonic framework. If they’ve been away, they’ve been busy.
–– Dean Gordon-Smith is a local musician who reviews music for the Morning Star every Friday.
