Big Whiskey & the Groo Groux King, the seventh studio album by the Dave Matthews Band, an American band whose inspiration lies in the fusion of traditions, currents, cultural and musical roots, was released on June 9, 2009.
In the title, original and catchy, you can read the homage to LeRoi Moore, saxophonist of the group who, having died prematurely in August 2008 due to complications following a fatal accident, was nicknamed precisely King.
The record is proposed to listen to those who approach it, caressing it with initials and velvety jazz-inspired suggestions which, supported by a carpet of vigorous percussion, create a tensive crescendo towards the second track, "Shake me Like a Monkey"Which, merged with"Grux“, The first, is propelled by a powerful engine, dry, aggressive, propulsive, energetic: a real funk-rock that forces the blood in the veins to run fast. A rhythmic and harmonic construction towards which indifference, to the listener, is undoubtedly forbidden. Melody, muscular and intense rhythmic section with associated changes and passages with a decidedly "flavor"progressive"
The third song is detached from the previous ones, it wants to be a separate discussion: hit single from the album, "Funny the way it is”Is an exciting, passionate song that lifts the listener from earthly reality to high peaks of inspiration. The melody of the voice is fantastic, truly lyrical and full of feeling and drives the development of the piece towards unpredictable rhythmic changes full of a completely rock vigor. The vast and overbearing presence of the instruments, the dry and very present drums, risk creating a certain heaviness to listen but the piece fascinates and creates the need to be listened to again.
"Lying in the Hands of God”Is track number 4 which, with echoes of a near east mixed with an always dry and decisive drums, speaks directly to the heart of the listener, with glimpses of authentic pathetic effusion; the listener is lulled and distracted by his everyday trifles that make him "only" human.
"Why I Am“, The fifth piece of the record, reacts to the one that precedes it, with a more aggressive and pressing attitude. A non-original performance, a well-thought-out but not at all innovative melody, build a piece that is always of excellent quality but which certainly does not have the characteristics of the imperishable classic; at least until the unpredictable minute number two, when the music forcefully imposes itself on the listener's memory. Not the best moment on the record.
"Dive In”Is track number 6, captivating and very catchy but dangerously close to something familiar; a cautious trend, up to the variation which, inspired and lyrical towards the highest peaks, continues to propitiate titles of merit in favor of this extraordinary musical formation. The most intensely sentimental gashes, with a dreamy yet dry guitar melody, speak almost naively to the listener and know how to move.
A pause and then "spaceman“, A song, the seventh, which has a different, mature approach, far from the adolescent sentimental-emotional impulses peculiar to the most aggressive and exasperated rock. Mature cut that continues with "Squirm“, A piece with a suspicious trend, which evokes the atmosphere of investigation, of doubt, of the restlessness of the man who is waiting to know, consumed by the fear of being the only naive, unaware lamb among wolves.
The atmosphere of track 9 evokes the south of the United States of America: " the opening words of Alligator Pie”Seems to be a clear homage to the reality of the countryside, of the acoustic stringed instrument, of the earth; elements that make up the fresco of the rodeo, of tough cowboys. But the melodic variation intervenes, to surprise the listener, which, set in an aggressive, dry and incongruent context, remains in the ears and makes the whole piece much more pleasant to listen to.
"Seven“, Tenth piece, has a hard and aggressive beginning which is counterbalanced by a very subtle, almost incoherent falsetto voice; up to an obsessive, rhythmic, syncopated development. The piece has impressionistic accents of difference: the variety of colors, typical of Arlecchino's dress, is the image that can convey the idea of these different yet harmonious inspirations.
With "Time Bomb”We arrive at piece number 11, now a bit burdened by the musical richness of the disc which, varied and supported by many instruments, tires the listener. The initial evocation of the explosive device leaves room for an atmosphere reminiscent of Dire Straits up to a fully rock outcome, in musical aggression and with a shouted voice.
"Explicit"Which in an oxymoronic way anticipates and introduces"baby Blue“, A song of intense sentimental inspiration which, caressing and soft, with its passionate and measured harmony again forces the listener to show admiration for Dave Matthews' band. A group that knows how to transform the accents of the most diverse traditions and various musical genres into interchangeable pieces of an infinite mosaic.
The caressing conclusion of "baby Blue"Prepares the ground for"You & me“, A sentimental piece with a sincere, true, inspired melody, but a little too predictable: the development of the piece, which could lead to any outcome, unfortunately runs aground on very obvious shores. At minute 4.53, however, there is an unpredictable musical insert between jazz, funk and a soft "progressive“, Completely incongruous with the alleged final track of the disc: an alienating element that introduces two bonus tracks.
The first, "Write a Song“, Really intense and original: catchy yet powerful, it lets you express the DMB in the way that best suits you. Not to mention "Cornbread", The second song" gift ": the approach, in all respects metropolitan, American, fully American, is pleasant, decisive, aggressive and yet melodic. Here the band gives further proof of excellent taste and enormous compositional and musical maturity. The record ends almost suddenly but the sensation is that of a signature, as if to say “… this is what we are capable of doing; does that seem little to you? ". In a stagnant musical reality, nostalgic for a past child of flowers, a slave to his own version visible and far from his most sincere clothes (if not in the cracks of independence), this record can only deserve a rich 8.
THE PROPERTY
Big Whiskey & the Groo Groux King
Dave Matthews Band
Label: Bama Rags Recordings
1. Grux (1:11)
2. Shake me like a monkey (4:00)
3. Funny the way it is (4:26)
4. Lying in the hands of God (5:13)
5. Because I am (3:53)
6. Dive in (4:26)
7. Spaceman (4:08)
8. Squirm (5:32)
9. Alligator pie (3:59)
10. Seven (4:17)
11. Time bomb (3:59)
12. Baby blue (3:41)
13. You & me (5:41)
