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Disc
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| 1 | Dreamgirl / Dave Matthews DVD |
| 2 | Old Dirt Hill (Bring That Beat Back) / Dave Matthews DVD |
| 3 | Stand Up (For It) / Dave Matthews DVD |
| 4 | American Baby Intro / Dave Matthews DVD |
| 5 | American Baby / Dave Matthews DVD |
| 6 | Smooth Rider / Dave Matthews DVD |
| 7 | Everybody Wake Up (Our Finest Hour Arrives) / Dave Matthews DVD |
| 8 | Out of My Hands / Dave Matthews DVD |
| 9 | Hello Again / Dave Matthews DVD |
| 10 | Louisiana Bayou / Dave Matthews DVD |
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With a string of live recordings since 2001's controversial Everyday, the Dave Matthews Band has been grooving in something close to autopilot, more intent on pleasing fans than in stretching out. That M.O. changes significantly on Stand Up, one of the band's most adventurous efforts, and certainly among the most varied studio sets of their career. For starters, Matthews pumps up the energy level surprisingly often, as on the title track, which uses a martial drumbeat to anchor a bottom end that doesn't politely suggest that folks shake their groove thang but rather forces them onto the dance floor. That's underscored by the agreeably gritty playing of saxophonist Leroi Moore, who also struts his stuff on the hip-hop-tinged "Stolen Away at 55th and 3rd." Some credit must go to producer Mark Batson, who helmed India.Arie's breakthrough, Acoustic Soul, as well as tracks for Eminem, Beyoncé, Seal, and Sting. But Matthews retains his unique style, making better use of world music elements here than he has in some time, notably on the sensual "Dreamgirl," which employs eerily echoing backing vocals dripping with aboriginal flavor. That song is one of several that let the singer get his mojo working and provide good counterpoint to topical tunes such as the sprawling "American Baby," a life-during-wartime allegory that's preceded by the separate "American Baby" intro, a mélange of mournful piano and sampled gunfire. There's a similar urgency in "Everybody Wake Up (Our Finest Hour Arrives)," a song that also boasts a fascinating (and somewhat jarring) arrangement drawing as much on modern classical music as on anything from the rock idiom. The vibe of Stand Up is slightly different than the average DMB album, but for those who value a thrill ride as much as a cruise, it's definitely worth buckling up for. David Sprague, Barnes & Noble
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June 03, 2005: I have been a loyal DMB fan for years. Unfortunately, looking forward to a new CD I preordered Stand Up. This CD is packed with redundant lyrics. The songs are boring and the music is not up to DMB's standards. Batson has influenced this CD way too much and the originality and musicality of the band is squelched. This effort has no interesting jams and Carter's talents are wasted on run-of-the-mill beats that any drummer could do. Out of 14 tracks only 3 or 4 of them are not bad. Bring back the truly special music and lyrics of Dave Matthews and the band and get rid of Batson! Bring back Lillywhite. In summary, Don't bother buying this one.
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June 02, 2005: I am a long-time DMB fan, and I will agree with everyone when it's said that their old studio albums are better than this one. But one thing that everyone should keep in mind, and probably one of the biggest reasons we are all fans of DMB, is because when they play their songs live, they are always changing and growing from their original studio versions. For example, look at the studio versions of Rhyme and Reason and Jimi Thing, both with electric guitar solos (obviously neither of which have them now). There's also Warehouse with Dave's rapidly-strummed intro rather than the Stop-Time Intro we are all so used to (and many other songs with intros and outros). Also Two Step, Dancing Nancies, Lie In Our Graves, #41, Jimi Thing, and so many others which now have extended jams live, but did not have them on the studio versions. My point is that, if you forget you've ever heard a live DMB song and just listen to the studio versions, you will begin to notice how different those versions are, how much they've changed, and how some songs even come off weird (like the cowbell in the original Warehouse!). Keep that in mind when listening to Stand Up, as these songs will surely change as well, and get their own intros, jams, Dave scats and all the DMB goodness we are accustomed to. Like I said, wait till they tour baby.