Dave Matthews Band

See also: Tim Reynolds, Dave Matthews

It sucks to like an artist before he gets big. But it sucks even more to like an artist before he gets big, commercialized, uncreative and loathefully attractive to throngs of pre-teen girls. Yes, Dave Matthews has a great voice. Yes he has a great band. And damnit, he was once able to pen inspired pop songs. But rather than evolving into an artist you love to follow, Dave has evolved into a frat-house circus monkey you love to hate. Essentially, he and his band hit their zenith in 1994 with Under the Table and Dreaming and its been downhill since. The cheesy videos. The collaboration with Santana. The attack on the bootlegg industry. The guy's become a loser. While 2002's Busted Stuff was a slight improvement over his most recent efforts, the NATN editorial team doesn't hold much hope of him ever returning to our favor.

Album reviews

Everyday
RCA (2001)
Many of you have undoubtedly read reviews that have made Everyday seem downright acceptable, in spite of itself. No such luck here. Basically, it sucks.

Before These Crowded Streets
RCA (1998)
What happened to this guy?

Live At Red Rocks
RCA/Bama Rags (1997)
Should responsible record purchases feel obligated to shell out $20 only to get the third released versions of "Dancing Nancies," "Warehouse," "Tripping Billies," "Recently," and "Ants Marching?"

Crash
RCA (1996)
The second major label release from the sultan of acoustic pop is a bit of a mixed blessing.

'Recently'
Bama Rags (1994)
Yes, they were that good.

Under The Table And Dreaming
RCA (1994)
Dave Matthews Band's major-label debut is the masterpiece of a career that started to slowly deteriorate after its release.

Remember Two Things
Bama Rags (1993)
It is here we get our best look at the singer's creative core. Stranded on a deserted island, go with Matthews' first debut.