Dave Matthews “Some Devil”
RCA
In his much anticipated solo debut, “Some Devil,”
Dave Matthews exposes a raw and intimate side of himself that he
has previously hid behind the cover of his band. Longtime fans of
the Dave Matthews Band shouldn’t expect to hear the
singer/songwriter telling them to celebrate and get high as he
often did in the past. The solo Matthews is now a father, as well
as a more melancholy musician who is looking to cope with feelings
of both loving and losing someone. Matthews embraces a lyrical
style of singing in this album, though the throaty voice he is
famous for continually resonates in the album. On the title track,
“Some Devil,” Matthews is alone with his guitar singing
high, sustained notes that create the feeling of a somber lullaby
as he pleas, “I’m broken/ Don’t break me/ When I
hit the ground.” Matthews tells the world he has been hurt in
the past, and by doing so, he has put his vulnerable self out in
the open. Matthews proves he is still an adept guitarist and
innovative musician who refuses to be restricted to one genre, as
is represented by including guest artists ranging from guitarist
Trey Anastasio of Phish to string and horn musicians from Seattle
Music Group. In the single “Gravedigger,” Matthews
wrestles with the pain that loss and death invokes upon the
survivors of a loved one, but on a more personal level, he shares
his persisting desire to make his late father proud of him.
“Oh” is another highlight of the album, with that
intricate guitar playing Matthews has mastered and a gentle
percussion section. The soft sound of the music, combined with
simple lyrics like “I love you oh so well/ like a kid loves
candy and fresh snow,” makes the piece a welcome break to the
many morose compositions of the album. With “Some
Devil,” Matthews has proved he has different sides, both
musically and lyrically, to show the world as a soloist ““ a
side that isn’t afraid to put his voice out there and reveal
his innermost struggles on life and death. Although on the album
Matthews is considerably more personal than he has been in the
past, “Some Devil” lacks the energy and complexity of
his DMB releases. -Jess Rodgers