After a hiatus of sorts lasting four years, the Dave Matthews band has come back with their latest contribution, "Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King". To say it is a departure from the earlier work of DMB would be an understatement and stating the obvious.
In the past the Dave Matthews Band was known for a more rocking sound then bands such as Moe or Phish. With their newest release, the DMB goes into a new direction and expends on a more mature approach towards music and it's influences while mourning the loss of their dear friend and founding band member, LeRoi Moore.
In 2008 Moore died from complications caused by an ATV accident. Jeff Coffin, has since taken that role of saxophonist, in the studio. Many believe that the band came back together to make a tribute album, of sorts, to Moore. This is seen throughout many tracks on the album.
Many of the songs on this new album, especially the first release, "Funny the Way It Is", reflect the loss of Moore and the way the band dealt with his passing. "Funny the Way It Is" is most likely the track that most resembles the old Dave Matthews band sound while encompassing their new direction. Other songs on the album, such as "Alligator Pie" and "Baby Blue" show the influence on the band from their time apart, working with other people such as former Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty, and their experience recording in Louisiana with producer Rob Cavallo.
With a Delta Blues sound, along with New Orleans French Quarter influences this album show the bands ability to play, despite the loss of Moore.
Although this album takes a new direction from what fans are used to, they will be sure to find that the feelings of the music has had minimal change. Dave Matthews fans will surely be able to find the heart of the sound as they have done in the past. "Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King" is sure to become a DMB classic, same as"Under the Table and Dreaming" and "Crash", even if the new sound takes a little getting used to.