Customer Reviews

Under The Table and Dreaming

5 star:		(223)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Well I'd like to first start by saying this is my first DMB album. I had difficulty choosing between this album and crash, but there both excellent choices, you can't go wrong. Anyway, this is an amazing. Every song is hypnotic and and just puts you in a trance you don't want to get of. My personal favorites are jimi thing, dancing nancies, and rhyme and reason. Trust me and everyone else who reviewed this album correctly, it's worth it.

This is probably the most fun Dave Matthews Band album. Most of the songs have a great sing along quality. The playing is loose and vibrant. Even the slower numbers have a melodic sway to them. I think the Amazon editorial review hit on the mood exactly. One can just picture the band onstage at a fair or carnival as children run around and adults listen, dance and sing. Then sitting in the grass listening to the last two tracks fade as the sun sets.... It's understandable why this album vaulted them to stardom. Most casual or non-Dave Matthews Band fans I know all agree this is a great CD. While they may not be crazy about later releases, "the songs on Crash are too long", "Before These Crowded Streets is too dark", "Everyday is too slick", etc, this release is always favorably received. If you are new to DMB, this is the best introduction. If you are a long time fan, this is probably never far from your player.

On Dave Matthews Band's first RCA release, 'Under the Table and Dreaming', they introduce their listeners to a mellow, yet energetic musical genre of love, peace, and happiness within their lyrics and music. Dave Matthews lyrics are deep and profound, while his voice soars high above the clouds over head, as his acoustic guitar leads the group and requires all the other instruments to revolve around him. Stefan Lessard's bass guitar is like a faint angel stomping it's feet along to Dave's guitar riffs, with Carter Beauford providing hard hitting, syncopated drum arrangements, which make DMB all the more interesting to listen to. Leroi Moore's saxophone sounds will flutter through your ears like a baby crying in the faint distance, while Boyd Tinsley's violin swerves through the tunes and makes a great backing rythmic string section.

'Best Of What's Around'= Four stars
'What Would You Say'= Five stars
'Satelite'= Five stars
'Rhyme and Reason= Four stars
'Typical Situation'= Five stars
'Dancing Nancies'= Three stars
'Ants Marching'= Five stars
'Lover Lay Down'= Five stars
'Jimi Thing'= Four stars
'Warehouse'= Five stars
'Pay For What You Get'= Five stars
'#34'= Three stars

I reccomend this to people as a first DMB CD. It introduces you to their distinct sounding music, along with some of their more diverse musical genres. Five star all the way.

State Fair. Like riding bumper cars, and then checking out the livestock tent. Everything is for real, just organized.

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I have often wondered why so many people hate the Dave Matthews Band. I have come up with two reasons:
1. They make money.
2. They write songs first and foremost, and for go all the other redundant things that come with being a rock star.
Because if you take even one listen to their records, there is so much good that you can't hate them.
That brings me to their major label debut(and one of the first CD's I ever purchased way back in '95), "Under the Table and Dreaming".
There is a definte inflation of the ratings, but this is really a five star record. From the first song to the end on track "#34", this is a great, just push play record with equal parts joy, sorrow and great musicianship.
The record gets off to a great start with "Best of What's Around", a joyous track that captures the DMB perfectly. Quiet acoustic riff with flawless drumming, a killer bass part and a great jam flow brought to you by Boyd and Leroy. When bands say they tried to get the live vibe in the studio, DMB are one of the few bands that can do it.
"Jimi Thing" rocks out more grooves in one song then many bands can come up with in their entire lives. "Typical Situations" is a non-conformist anthem, with a meloncollie verse with one of the most joyous chorus they have ever written(they later replicate this equally well on "Two Step" off of the equally good "Crash"). And the hit single "Ants Marching", origannely off of their debut "Remember Two Things", is as good as you remember.
So, if you are thinking about getting "Under the Table and Dreaming" for the first time, I would anticapate that you would like it. This is music that is better than genre. This is just great music.

This is as close to a perfect CD as you will find. The songs complement eachother so completely that the songs seem to almost blend into one melodious song with different acts. For me there is no best song on the album because none is capable of standing out from the rest. Instead, DMB brings you into their better world for an hour at a time, and we emerge somehow more ready to face the world having heard the beauty that the world is capable of.

Only the second album released by DMB, it's my 2nd runner-up for the category of "classic DMB album," with Crash winning out; still, it was a tough choice. On the whole, there are a greater # of good songs on this album than on Crash, but the few great songs on Crash (like "#41") are better than the best songs on UTTAD. So, this bumps Crash up a notch though UTTAD isn't far behind. You might dubb it pre-classic DMB. In any case, this album still honorably retains one foot in the grass roots mire, though during its release the music was well on its way to widespread mainstream recognition. Like Remember Two Things and Crash, it's essential for DMB-lovers and a mostly happy-go-lucky mood provides an uplifting listening experience, despite the occasional darker themes. And don't forget "#34" on hidden track 34.

This cd is incredible and it ties with The Central Park Concert for my favorite Dave Matthews Band cd. Here is a review of all the songs:
The Best of What's Around-This song is fast-paced and has very good lyrics. It doesn't focus on the entire band as much, but it's a very good song. 5/5
What Would You Say-A classic DMB song that is just great all around. It has original lyrics "I was there when the bear ate his head and thought it was a candy." 5/5
Satellite-Pretty good song. Carter puts in some good backround vocals and the guitar is amazing. 4/5
Rhyme and Reason-This song has a great guitar/bass line, and has thoughful lyrics, but is not the best of DMB. 4/5
Typical Situation-Different and interesting lyrics, with a pretty good chourus, but like Rhyme and Reason, not DMB's best. 4/5
Dancing Nancies-Better live at Central Park. This is one of my favorite DMB songs, it has great lyrics, and Boyd is amazing. 5/5
Ants Marching-The all-time best Dave Matthews Band song. This song shows all members at their best, and has great lyrics. 5/5
Lover Lay Down-A nice, quiet song by DMB. This has good vocals and guitar, and focuses more on Dave, but a pretty good song. 5/5
Jimi Thing-Better live. This is a great song undoubtably, but sadly the studio version lacks some great live attributes. A great song anyway. 5/5
Warehouse-The second best DMB song ever. This song is amazing. It shows the best of Boyd and the best of Dave's lyrics, and is just incredible. It is also great on The Central Park Concert. 5/5
Pay For What You Get-Good song, with good guitar and message, but not something to listen to over and over. Just OK. 3.5/5
#34-One of the highlights of the cd. The third best and most beautiful song DMB ever played. This song doesn't need words. It is spectacular. 5/5

Overall, this cd is great. Go out and buy it. You will not be wasting your money.

This CD is certainly one of Dave Matthews Band's finest. It is difficult NOT to enjoy listening to this album. Each and every song has a strong point:

1. Best of What's Around- A catchy tune with good lyrics. This is a great opening tune.
2. What Would You Say?- This song is catchy and fun.
3. Satellite- A DMB classic. Amazing lyrics. Also, this song spotlights the talents of every band member.
4. Rhyme and Reason- A "darker" tune, with lyrics that make you think.
5. Typical Situation- Poetic lyrics, good instrumental solos.
6. Dancing Nancies- "What's the use in worry, what's use in hurry?"
7. Ants Marching- I'm sure everyone has heard this catchy song before.
8. Lover Lay Down- The slowest tune on the album. Very sweet.
9. Jimi Thing- Another good, catchy song.
10. Warehouse- "Turn all the lights on, so we can see the black cat changing colors..." Great solos from all the band members.
11. Pay For What You Get- By far, my favorite song of all time. Slow and jazzy.
34. #34- A purely instrumental number, which showcases the wide range of talents from all the members of the band.

Overall, this album proves that Dave Matthews Band really is the Best of What's Around. I highly recommend this CD!

This is currently my favorite CD. I listen to it at least twice every day, and would give it more than 5 stars if I could. Song by song breakdown (stars are relative to other songs on the album, as opposed to all other songs. I think every song on this album is better than almost any other song):

1 The Best of What's Around - 5 Stars
Could very well be my favorite song on the album.
2 What Would You Say - 4 Stars
Nice change of pace and a different sound, upbeat song.
3 Satellite - 5 Stars
Radio single is a beautiful mellow song.
4 Rhyme and Reason - 3 Stars
Probably my least favorite song on the album, but still great
5 Typical Situation - 5 Stars
Love this song, very underrated in my opinion.
6 Dancing Nancies - 5 Stars
Don't like the beginning but turns in to one of the best.
7 Ants Marching - 4 Stars
Everyone's heard this song. Takes the album upbeat again.
8 Lover Lay Down - 4 Stars
Excellent follower for Ants Marching, very mellow.
9 Jimi Thing - 4 Stars
Popular song, switches tempos a lot and great lyrics.
10 Warehouse - 3 Stars
Very different-sounding, grew on me a great deal.
11 Pay For What You Get - 3 Stars
Didn't like it at first, now is one of my favorites.
12-33 - unrated
These tracks are all 0 seconds of silence long.
34 #34 - 3 Stars
Good album-ending instrumental track.