Being one of the biggest Daveheads out there, I have scores of concert bootlegs, and so in order to properly review "Crash," I had to go back and listen to the actual album so I could remember what the studio recordings sounded like. There's always sort of an artificial feel to DMB's studio recordings, mainly because they don't expand into eight and 12-minute jam sessions. They are simply the jam sessions reduced to an album-length format. Because almost all of the songs on "Crash" had been performed by DMB numerous times by the time they got onto and album.

But all that aside, it's an excellent record. "Crash" catches a lot of flak and criticism for being a departure from the original highly organic sound of "Under the Table and Dreaming." But it's not as if this is an entirely different band. This was much more of an electric album. Tim Reynolds' mind-blowing guest guitar work here is mainly done with electics rather than acoustics, and so the sound is a little edgier than Dave's fans were used to. I still have to commend Steve Lilywhite (their producer) for his fantastic audio work in polishing DMB's material.

But back to the album. There are very few songs on here that are not really really good. The concept behind "Crash" (the song, not the album) is really funny in that most people think it's a love song... but listen to it closely... it's not. "So Much to Say" is one of the most fun songs I've ever heard. The main songs that I have problems with are "Cry Freedom" and "Proudest Monkey." "Cry Freedom" is really not that great of a song, even though its message is, and "Proudest Monkey," while the jam session for it is really cool, is probably too long to be on a studio album (the song clocks in at about 9:08). The main problem is that the instrumentation on the jam is too sparse, unlike future sessions on "Before These Crowded Streets."

But the best songs on the album have to be "Two Step" and "Lie In Our Graves." "Two Step," despite not having a traditional rock rhythm until the chorus, is one of the most rocking songs I have ever heard, and "Lie In Our Graves..." well... I don't know. It just has something about it that makes it so cool. I can't really explain it.

I'm a big fan of rhythm, and DMB definitely has rhythm aplenty. Carter Beauford is the God of all drummers and Stefan Lessard is probably the best bassist I've ever heard. "Crash" is a very good album. Not the best DMB has released, but very good nonetheless.

This band is acoustic, but has the most amazing combination of vocals, drums, violins, saxophones, whistles, flutes, bass, and electric bass. Dave may not be your most talented singer in the world, but what he says is so awesome. I'll start at the beginning of the CD. "So Much To Say" is a song that is way too true for me. He's talking about his hell and is ever so wise with, "Sometimes I find it's easy to be myself, Sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else," and God, how true... The only bad part is Dave is bursting with inspiring words, but ends up repeating "So much to say" too much. Then there is "Two Step" with an amazing into... and the awesome metaphor of "Hey, my love, you came to me like wine comes to this mouth, grown tired of water all the time, you quench my heart and you quench my mind," "Crash into me" is your radio played song w/ a cool video... "Who's got their claws in you my friend?" Good question... Dave will always give you something to think about Awesome sounds... "Too Much," has an awesome baritone sax part. It shows off Leroi's talent. Dave sings in an neat way. "#41" is a slow, pensive song, and he is very soft sounding, but deep things are said. "Say Goodbye," is about a girl friend no doubt, and it's kind of sad. Probably my least fav. song, but I have none. "Drive in Drive Out," has some great lines that are humorous poetry... namely, "I hear more than I'd like to, so I boil my head in a sense of humor, I laugh at what I cannot change, I throw it out on the pyre again, go then and do this, I'd do it of for you, when all that I want is so badly to be, by myself again, this is going to drive me right out of my brain..." Awesome... "Let You Down" is mellow, and him apologizing. Another great metaphor enclosed. You'll see. "Lie in our graves" he asks, would we lie in our graves and dream of the things we might have been, and it teaches you to enjoy life. "Cry Freedom" is too true about this country. It has great thoughts, "Hand and feet are all alike, but gold between divide us." Great instrumental. "Tripping Billies" is jazzish. Awesome... "Proudest Monkey" is ten minutes, but worth every second, great metaphor about being too proud to admit when you're wrong. The band creates great sounds of the city.

This CD contains NO bad songs. Carter Beaufort is an astounding drummer. The lyrics are fascinating to dissect and memorize. The amazingly talented violin by Boyd Tinsley changes violin's name forever. Stefan Lessard is amazing, but you have to listen hard to hear it, but his parts are great. Great band, great songs, great sounds... Enjoy the best CD ever.

The second studio album from the Dave Matthews Band, entitled "Crash" is outstanding. As shown in their previous studio album "Under The Table and Dreaming", the Dave Matthews Band creates a sound that is unique from all other bands and catches the ear of any listener with a sence for good music. Dave Matthews, Carter Beauford, Stefan Lessard, Boyd Tinsley, Leroi Moore, and guest electric guitarist Tim Reynolds have put together 12 outstanding songs that demonstrate amazing musical talent. "So Much To Say" is upbeat and discusses we are innocent and quiet until we reach a certain age, and then we become older and we begin to talk a lot, not necessarily in a literal sense. "Two Step" is also upbeat and begins with an amazing into and an amazing chorus which preaches the words "Celebrate we will because life is short, but sweet for certain." "Crash Into Me" is probably the most popular song on this album. It is a love song the sound of the Dave Matthews Band with Dave's incredible gift of song writing. Song number 4, "Too Much" is the one of the most popular live songs on this album due to its blend of talent of the amazing musicians in this band. Next, "#41", titled as so because of it was the 41st song written by Dave Matthews and describes his strugle with money in his early life. "Say Goodbye" compares very well with "Crash Into Me" and is another outstanding love song. "Drive in, Drive Out" also draws comparisons to a previous song, "Too Much." "Let You Down" is a mellow tune that includes Dave appologizing for sins. "Lie in our Graves" is an upbeat song that is about having no regrets. "Cry Freedom" is a slower tune than "Lie in our Graves", but attempts to show the state of our country socialy. Then, "Tripping Billies", my personal favorite song on this album, is very upbeat and is one of the most popular live songs along with "Too Much" amd "Lie in our Graves." Lastly, "Proudest Monkey" is a twelve minute song that shows that individual talent of each band member. "Crash" by the Dave Matthews Band is a must have for any music fan.

Without any shadow of a doubt, Dave Matthews Band 1996 release "CRASH" is my personal favorite album. I love all of this band's works of musical art, but "CRASH" remains my favorite.

There is no hint of imperfection on this CD. The lyrics and music blend into this perfect harmony of soulful bliss for the ears. You'll love the jams and the creative thought found here, whether spoken or played.

I don't think it gets much better than a CD that contains "So Much To Say," "Two Step," "Too Much," "#41," "Say Goodbye," and so many more. They are all excellent songs, each on their own as well as together. Everything fits together so nicely on "CRASH." It's a beautiful thing.

I suggest you add this album to your collection as soon as possible. It isn't complete without it.

What makes Dave Matthews Band so widely listened to and enjoyed? Their music is such a unique blend of jazz, pop, rythm and soul. Aside from having awsome studio albums DMB also puts out tremendous live audio c.d.'s and if you have ever seen them in concert it is an amazing experience. Their music crosses all genres and draws listeners from many different age groups. Dave is loyal to his fans. So back to the album titled "Crash" which comes from the third track Crash Into Me. I have picked out quotes from almost all of the songs on this album and if you find them meaningful and inpirational wait until you hear them song by Dave Matthews with instrumentals by Carter Beauford, Stefan Lessard, Boyd Tinsley and Leroi Moore.

"I find sometimes it's easy to be myself: Sometimes i find it's better to be somebody else."~so much to say

"Celebrate we will, because life is short but sweet for certain, we're climbing two-by-two to be sure these days continue, for things we can not change"~two step

"Why won't you ever be glad, it melts into wonder, I came in praying for you. Why won't you run in the rain and play, let the tears splash over you?"~#41

"All we are is wasting hours until the sun comes up its all ours."~say goodbye

"I hear more than i like to, so i boil my head in a sense of humor, I laugh at what i can not change..."~drive in drive out

"I can't believe that we would lie in our graves, dreaming of things that we might have been."~lie in our graves

"The future is no place to place your better days"~cry freedom

"Hands and feet are all alike, but gold between divide us, hands and feet are all alike, but fear between divide us, all slip away..."~cry freedom