Track Listing

1. So Much To Say
2. Two Step
3. Crash Into Me
4. Too Much
5. #41
6. Say Goodbye
7. Drive In Drive Out
8. Let You Down
9. Lie In Our Graves
10. Cry Freedom
11. Tripping Billies
12. Proudest Monkey

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #163 in Music
• Released on: 1996-04-30
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com essential recording
It's tempting to label the Dave Matthews Band as torchbearers of the Grateful Dead's moderate rock fusion and send them off on the next summer tour featuring either Blues Traveler or the Spin Doctors. But there is more at work here, particularly on the band's second major-label release. Crash pairs soothing sounds (flute, acoustic guitar, six-string bass) with a dark emotional undercurrent. The South African (by way of Virginia) frontman reveals a rare intensity on the title track and the free-form "41," while the group shows that it's not afraid to let loose on songs such as the stirring "Too Much." Producer Steve Lillywhite adds an impressive sheen to the recordings. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews

An extremely consistent and warmly engaging album
4 1/2

This certainly must be as worthwhile a DMB album as any other they have come out with. It is one that, in retrospect especially, you get the feeling the creative effortlessness which guided all twelve of these unique afro-pop-rock-jazz fusion treats and framed all of them in such a warmth has all but completely run dry. Whether you are a fan of the band's signature sound or not is besides the point that Crash can rate as one of the more solid major label rock records of the 90's-easy. What did not become a massive hit on radio is an even greater treat to hear. The only possible problems I see are the sometimes overindulgences Matthews uses vocally, and the fact that Crash Into Me/Let You Down, and Too Much/Tripping Billies feel similar. Similarly great, that is.

So Many Memories
When I was three years old, my family lived in Kentucky, and times were a little rough. My mother was training to be a guidance counsler. My dad was shifting between janitor at a local high school and earning his Ph. D. at Siminary. I saw my dad all day, and my mom all night. Every day before he left for work he would play Crash Into Me for me. "I'm the king of the castle" was the favorite(and only) line I knew. The rest didn't matter. This is one of the best albums I have ever heard, and if I am ever shipwrecked on a desert island this is the only thing I could ever ask for.

The Downward spiral starts here...
Dave Matthews, for the most part, I like. However though, it really seems that DMB just slowly deterioated into crap. Just listen to Everyday, and even worse, Stand Up really got some bad reviews. Too be fair, I haven't heard Stand Up, but just looking at the reviews from actual DMB fans, it just seeems to be a failure. Plus, read the reviews. Half of the reason why DMB is enjoyable is their songwriting.

This album is a bit of a step down, but totally bland songs like Cry Freedom sadly hint of the later days. While this album, as a whole, isn't bad compared to Under The Table and Dreaming, I can already hear some uninspiring songs and ideas, and the worst part is, it's unexciting and forgettable. Thankfully, the majority of the songs are excellent.

Crash is a bit more personal, a little more dark compared to Under The Table and Dreaming. Not dark like a death metal album, but it's so hard to understand. The darker undercurrents is what can draw me into some of the songs like Two Step and the title track. When the band lets loose, this is when they really kick. Too Much, So Much To Say, and Tripping Billies are the songs I want to hear live, if I ever get the chance to see DMB live. They let loose with other songs like Lie In Your Graves. When Dave Matthews Band go upbeat and loose, they hardly fault. Well, except Drive In Drive Out.

The slower songs are the reasons there are boring parts and both engaging. I never really considered Matthews to be a lyrical genius, which is one reason why some of the slower songs on here don't engage me. When they use more interesting melodies and rythms, they hardly make it bland. However, Let You Down (yes, even despite the percussion), Cry Freedom, and Proudest Monkey really don't, which is why they become forgettable. On top of that, Dave's voice is extremely boring, and it's hard to feel anything from the songs. DMB fans may like them, but for me, they don't do much. I like slower songs, but only if I can feel something.

The whole album is well produced, but not overproduced. These guys, while not the most talented musicians ever (one thing Dave heads can never quite understand), play very well. I laugh when people use the solos as an excuse for hating DMB, but to me, they do something to me inside. Not quite all the jams, but it's hard to pinpoint it. Maybe because I like the tones they give out. Who knows? I don't know a thing about physcology!

Overall, this album is solid, but still lacks a bit in the slower areas. Still, I reccomend you listen to Crash and don't exactly judge on the first listen.

PS as of writing this, there are 311 five star reviews. Nice!

8/10