Is Big Whiskey getting worse to anyone else?

[btpeters]

Still love Big Whiskey

[Lsawtell]

Originally Posted by jaymas9

I also think everyone needs to remember...this is a very different album if Roi doesn't die. In preview videos, including the first one on ilike in 08 to the inside the studio one's, you heard Roi playing his ass off on tracks that never saw the light of day, including the song the time bomb intro became. You could tell his hand was heavy in the arrangement of these tunes, Dave said him and Cavallo hit it off, and Rob was very much looking forward to having him everywhere. Unfortunately we all know what happened, and the rest of the band had to try and fill in, and it changed the landscape of the album. You can't just cut and paste little melodic fills all throughout songs for an entire album, it is way too difficult. So they all changed their approach and honestly made the best album they could without Roi, while being one that paid him respect (not really letting Jeff get involved creatively) and honored him.

Who knows what would have become of Big Whiskey, it probably would have been better, Roi had that knack for the unique arrangement that set dmb apart, a great sax line that got stuck in your head, or just some little fills that really elevated a song. But they made a damn good album in a real tough situation.

How true is this! I have been trying to figure out why I have such a hard time with JC, because he is a damn good sax player. For me the differential is exactly what is quoted here, it's the small stuff. Leroi never tried to make it about himself, ever, to the glasses, to the muteness, he just played. I miss that.

[SmoothG]

Still a mediocre album. I haven't listened to it in quite a few months. A couple decent songs, but meh. Hasn't aged well for me.

[aclay1919]

Originally Posted by kydmb99

It seems like the more I listen to the album, the more mediocre I feel it is. Other than Squirm, Baby Blue, LITHOG, and Shake Me, I really don't listen to much of it anymore. A lot of times it takes a while to really make a judgement on an album, and I think with more listens BW is settling into a position just above Everyday for me and miles behind the Big 3... Not trying to flame, just my thoughts...

yes i hate most of it now and always will

[phatpig]

Don't listen to it as much as I did a few months ago, but I still think it's a solid record. My opinions haven't changed on what I like and don't like on the album though.

[Panther41]

I still have the hardest time understanding how anyone sees it as a mediocre album. A mediocre album, to me, would be lackluster--lacking energy, lacking variety, lacking any noticeable sense of ambition. Something that passes by without anything really memorable happening.

It just seems to me like you'd have to be an extraordinarily jaded DMB fan not to feel the shine comin' off BWGK.

[Taylor/Martin]

I love this CD and listen to it just as much now as I did when I first got it

[LowEnd_Theory]

I wish Roi would have been able to see it through. My guess is that it would have been better. They knew they had to make an album that would sell, and appeal to the mainstream, yet please enough big fans. From that standpoint, they did a great job balancing the two. An album filled with awesome shit like the Squirm jamming, 8 minute songs, etc would have been eaten up by us. It wouldn't have sold nearly as well.

They have some breathing room again. Maybe they'll feel more comfortable to make a record that isnt as poppy next time around, provided thats what they want to do and they actually make another one

[canes101190]

Originally Posted by LowEnd_Theory

I wish Roi would have been able to see it through. My guess is that it would have been better. They knew they had to make an album that would sell, and appeal to the mainstream, yet please enough big fans. From that standpoint, they did a great job balancing the two. An album filled with awesome shit like the Squirm jamming, 8 minute songs, etc would have been eaten up by us. It wouldn't have sold nearly as well.

They have some breathing room again. Maybe they'll feel more comfortable to make a record that isnt as poppy next time around, provided thats what they want to do and they actually make another one

I agree with this. They had to get their studio legs back under them so to speak, and doing it without Roi must've made it that much harder. They did what I believe they sought out to do with this album, become relevant again and please older fans.

Originally Posted by Panther41

I still have the hardest time understanding how anyone sees it as a mediocre album. A mediocre album, to me, would be lackluster--lacking energy, lacking variety, lacking any noticeable sense of ambition. Something that passes by without anything really memorable happening.

It just seems to me like you'd have to be an extraordinarily jaded DMB fan not to feel the shine comin' off BWGK.

Couldn't agree more. Everyday is a perfect example of a mediocre album to me, very boring and plain. Big Whiskey is full of color and energy and so many other things that make it stand out to me. It's tough for everyone to see it, and like you said, could be part of the jaded aspect. This album is gold to me and it has been since day one.

[jaymas9]

Originally Posted by Panther41

I still have the hardest time understanding how anyone sees it as a mediocre album. A mediocre album, to me, would be lackluster--lacking energy, lacking variety, lacking any noticeable sense of ambition. Something that passes by without anything really memorable happening.

It just seems to me like you'd have to be an extraordinarily jaded DMB fan not to feel the shine comin' off BWGK.

. People misuse words on here sometimes.

[Evans]

Big Whiskey is really what the band wanted to do in 2001 with Everyday. It's a perfect blend of the dmb sound and a pop twist. I very much enjoy the album, but it is clearly not on the same level as Crash or BTCS.

[eddes409]

I Liked Big Whiskey at first, gave it a little rest and now I love it!

[DMBCardinal]

I'm listening to it now for the first time in a while. It's still a really good album!

[SteveIsGood347]

Originally Posted by Evans

Big Whiskey is really what the band wanted to do in 2001 with Everyday. It's a perfect blend of the dmb sound and a pop twist. I very much enjoy the album, but it is clearly not on the same level as Crash or BTCS.

One of the best descriptions of the album I've heard.

[dayswonder]

still better then their last

[bigeyefish22]

Nope!




Not possible; it started at the bottom, and remains there

[Heyberto]

Originally Posted by Evans

Big Whiskey is really what the band wanted to do in 2001 with Everyday. It's a perfect blend of the dmb sound and a pop twist. I very much enjoy the album, but it is clearly not on the same level as Crash or BTCS.

I disagree.. ED was much more 'pop' than almost anything on BWGK. Pop just does not come to mind when I listen to it.

[Aurelie]

Originally Posted by Taylor/Martin

I love this CD and listen to it just as much now as I did when I first got it

This about sums it up. If anything, at times, I love it more.

[Panther41]

Originally Posted by LowEnd_Theory

They have some breathing room again. Maybe they'll feel more comfortable to make a record that isnt as poppy next time around, provided thats what they want to do and they actually make another one

I think they like bringing a little bit of creativity and class to the mainstream, though. Dave (or was it Carter?) said something in an interview about how they thought it was cool that a song as musically unconventional as "Seven" could have mass appeal.

[Panther41]

Originally Posted by dayswonder

still better then their last

Heh... I'm not sure "Stand Up" is the best yardstick for anything.

[1eyed_jack]

when i first heard it i didn't love it, but i was OK with it. listened to it a bit and enjoyed it. many months later i put it on after not listening to it and i almost couldn't stand it. there's like 2 songs i can listen to but the rest are just not good in my opinion. i wish that wasn't the way i felt, but oh well i guess

[ibeheath]

I wish Dave would say, "Screw the mainstream. The next album is for the fans." Give us a little taste of the magic that was created with the first three albums. Just stop appealing to a wider audience, because as the net widens the appeal seems to dissipate for me and the DMB community. DMB used to be something special for me, now their music sounds meh and lack luster.

[inmytree]

What other pop music that's on the charts now does Big Whiskey sound like? I'm actually curious, because I can't think of any examples.

[jaymas9]

Originally Posted by ibeheath

I wish Dave would say, "Screw the mainstream. The next album is for the fans." Give us a little taste of the magic that was created with the first three albums. Just stop appealing to a wider audience, because as the net widens the appeal seems to dissipate for me and the DMB community. DMB used to be something special for me, now their music sounds meh and lack luster.

There is nothing about Big Whiskey they did for mass appeal. They already appeal to the masses, hence the reason their touring numbers are ridiculous year in and year out. And like the post below me states, give me any example of a song doing well in triple A radio or on top 40 radio, anything remotely mainstream in fact, that sounds anything like a tune off of Big Whiskey. You probably can't, so this whole mainstream appeal bs people think they took with the record is just that...bs. And electric guitar doesn't mean necessarily mean "bad pop appeal."

[inmytree]

I think sometimes people equate way too easily "I don't like this", with "this is too mainstream, watered-down, and neutered for the mass public." If you feel the former, it doesn't necessarily mean the latter is true.

[Kevaroo]

Loving Squirm more than ever!

[manderso]

Originally Posted by jaymas9

There is nothing about Big Whiskey they did for mass appeal. They already appeal to the masses, hence the reason their touring numbers are ridiculous year in and year out. And like the post below me states, give me any example of a song doing well in triple A radio or on top 40 radio, anything remotely mainstream in fact, that sounds anything like a tune off of Big Whiskey. You probably can't, so this whole mainstream appeal bs people think they took with the record is just that...bs. And electric guitar doesn't mean necessarily mean "bad pop appeal."

BW is radio pop. Sorry to burst your bubble.

[inmytree]

I'd love to see which songs in the top 40 you think sound anything like Big Whiskey. After all, if it's watered down radio pop, you should have no problem finding examples. Here's the link; http://www.top40-charts.com/chart.php?cid=27.

I don't know, maybe you hear some connection between Rihanna and Squirm that we don't hear. We'll just wait for our bubble to be burst.

[canes101190]

Big Whiskey? Radio Pop? Is that why I hear Squirm, Seven, and Time Bomb on the radio all the time? Radio doesn't even want SMLAM which I find to be the most radio-friendly.

[btpeters]

It's been said many time before, but, sorry the album wasn't Before These Crowded Streets Part 2 or The Non-Busted Stuff Lillywhite Sessions. Some people fail to see the evolution, refuse change and want the same thing over and over and over again. And if they DID get that, then they'd bitch that the music is boring and never evolves.

People are allowed to dislike the album. But, hey, that's their loss. Do i think its the best DMB album of all time? Not in my opinion, but i'm not going to let that stop me from listening and liking it. i'm still enjoying the hell out of it, and plan on continuing to do so.