Quote:
Originally Posted by SpotlightEyes
I have hopes for this album, and I'm not ashamed to say that its ONLY because of Steve Lillywhite. I've really lost confidence in Dave's ability/desire to write quality songs. However, I have NOT lost confidence in Steve Lillywhite's mandate that music meet his standards, or not carry his name at all.
Before you flame the shit out of me, anyone who can write Cornbread, and then turn it in to the dog shit that it is today, deserves a second thought about his current ability to write music.
I realize he HAS written better stuff, and during the same time period, but that doesn't change the fact that 2010 and 2011 suffered through a ton of, "All I wanna do is go down on you." Like, shut the fuck up, seriously. We're not 12. No one finds that amusing.
The same people who come hoping to hear Typical Situation don't want to hear that shit.
Sorry, end rant. Can't wait for the album, its going to be awesome, because Lillywhite won't allow it to suck.
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You bring up a good point in the beginning of this point. A lot of the concern/excitement regarding the upcoming album has to do with the two following points, which are almost entirely agreed upon:
1) Steve Lillywhite has been the best producer DMB ever had, and his approach to DMB definitely makes for better texture and overall sound.
2) Dave Matthews' writing ability has seemingly diminished over the years - specifically since the Lillywhite Sessions.
There are a few other things that play into all of our debates on these boards...
- Lillywhite openly says that Everyday (and Stand Up) were horrible albums. He sees the same problems with those albums that the fans do.
- Lillywhite is very much aware with, and in tune with, the more hardcore DMB fans. He is a perfectionist in the studio, and likely would not release an album that is anywhere near Everyday or Stand Up.
-Dave has shown his writing ability is NOT gone. Since 2000, we've seen potentially amazing tunes (You Never Know, 2004 songs, Shotgun, Idea of You, and much of Big Whiskey).
-Dave has also put out songs that are not the best - but there are usually potential in these songs. Sweet, and quite a few songs from Everyday and Stand Up, etc, would be able to be great with Lillywhite's touch.
So the question remains, will this next album be great? Could it match the power of the Big 3 (or 4). Big Whiskey was a great album, but it didn't have the same touch that the Big 3 or 4 did. Would Lillywhite's presence have changed that?
I think so. One prime example is what role Lillywhite has in the creation of songs. Don't Drink the Water, for example, was gonna be a failed attempt in studio, when all the members of the band stormed out after they couldn't get it right. After working on it all night, Lillywhite alone took different takes, and combined them into a successful tune. His work that night is the studio track of DDTW.
My only concern is that Lillywhite cannot control one variable - lyrics. I don't know what to expect for that. All I can do is trust Lillywhite to be honest with Dave and tell say no to You & Me and go in the direction of Baby Blue or Squirm.
I trust that this album will surpass Big Whiskey. Much like Crash and BTCS sound way different, the sound on this album will be another step in this band's progression. What direction it goes in, I really do not know. I can't wait, though.