DMB's latest release, "Everyday", is an excellent album. Fans of any other band would be thrilled at such a powerful, upbeat product. Fans of Dave Matthews Band however have come to expect something else from DMBs CDs. Dave Matthews Band has never been about following the "rules" of commercial success and confining songs to more radio-friendly 4 minute creations; nor have they ever shyed away from extensive break down jams that lead into the next track (making each album feel like one continuous effort). Dave Matthews Band has always stayed "true to the music, commericial rules be damned." It is these and other qualities that have attracted so many fans of all types. Sadly, Everyday departs from these basic qualities. Glen Ballard, producer of Everday, recently was quoted on PBS's Charlie Rose Show as saying about fans, "They don't want extensive jams on an album...That's what a concert is for." (One wonders if Ballard has ever heard of such bands as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, to name a few...) Ballard therefore packages all songs on Everyday to under four minutes, save one which is slighty under five. DMB fans might find it frustrating that just when the band begins to jam, the music fades out in the name of radio-friendly songs. Musically "Everyday" is complex and exciting, just as one would expect from Dave Matthews Band. Fans however will be disappointed to find that violinist Boyd Tinsley and saxophonist LeRoi Moore are all but nonexistent on the album, instead replaced by Ballard on a retro-80's-style keyboard for accompanyment. In total, to their credit DMB is clearly expanding their musical borders in this album, providing an enjoyable (albeit different) musical experience. Everyday is definetly worth buying and all fans should anticipate amazing concert versions of each song. That said, the strength of the songs despite Ballards best efforts to de-Dave-Matthewsize them leaves one wondering of the album that could have been had long-time DMB producer Steve Lilywhite (and his pro-music/anti-commercial sentiment) had a say in the production.

Though it's a tad early to celebrate, DMB's latest release, Everyday is a great departure for the band. Through their transformation over the years, Matthews, Lessard, Tinsley, Moore and Beauford have gone from the happy jams of Recently (Remember 2 Things) to the brilliant musical composition of The Stone (Before these Crowded Streets) and now to the edgy riffs of the band's new single, I did It. In abonding an already recorded album of songs like Grey Street and Sweet Up & Down, Dave and the boys returned to the studio to rewrite a new album along side new producer Glenn Ballard (Aerosmith, No Doubt), and even colaborating alongside friend Carlos Santana on the latin piece, Mother Father. The final product is an awesome new sound for such a band. Putting a hold on the twangy riffs in What Would You Say and evolving into cutting edge sounds as heard in The Space Between. Have no fear though, Dave fans. Though this recent departure seems tragic in a sense, all of the elements can still be heard. Boyd's still ripping up his violin, Carter maintains his status of best drummer in the world, and Roi is still beeboppin away on his sax (without sunglasses this time). Just go with the flow on this energy-packed release by the band, and remember that they never did a single thing that did a single thing to change the ugly ways of the world, but Dave Matthews Band can still rock!

After listening to this disk for the first time, I could hardly believe it was actually DMB. Dave's unique sound is gone and it's been replaced by typical, over-produced "music by committee."

Even though the sound of this album was designed to expand the band's fan base and get more radio play, I fear it will turn away the die-hards like myself. It just doesn't sound like the DMB anymore.

I truly hope the band can go back to what made them truly great and please send producer Glen Ballard back to working with the boy bands or where ever he came from. He just doesn't fit DMB's style of music (the old one at least).

I still give the album a three because a couple of songs are pretty good. There's just nothing that could rival incredible songs like Ants Marching, Lie in our Graves, Tripping Billies, etc.

Ok first, I'm a HUGE DMB fan. From the first notes of "Remember Two Things" I was hooked. This is the most disappointing album of DMB's career. My biggest question is "Where's the Band?" Unlike other albums,this disc focuses more on Dave's Voice than the band. I think there are maybe 3 tracks with sax on it. That's a sad state of affairs. Sure Dave hasn't had too many radio hits, but the label should have let the band continue their journey other than looking for "Snappy, Upbeat" Songs. So Dave please release the album that RCA made you scrap and bring Steve Lillywhite back. Or at least get a producer such as Daniel Lanois that has a more proven track record. Sure Alanis' "Jagged Little Pill" is a great disc, but ever hear Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl" or The Wilson Phillips album? I rest my case.

For Some Reason, dave matthews now thinks that his traditional 15 minute jam songs, extensive solos and sounds are "boring". As a result of this atitude (most likely provided by the new hollywood producer, Glen Ballard) Dave has changed the whole sound of the record. Daves lyrics and voice help keep this album from beiong blow-torched by traditional DMB fans. The first thing that a lot of people noticed about the album is that Dave is playing an elecric guitar. Also, the music is mixed in short, 3-4 minute songs, the drums, bass, woodwinds and violi are mashed together to create a wall of sound that is different from the classic individualality of the instruments. This is by far, the most mainstream pop sounding album that weve ever seen. I personally think that the band shouldve released the Lillywhite cd which was composed with all the songs that the band successfully toured with in the summer of 2000. Hopefully the guys will realize that they have a huge fan base to play to and that they dont really need to change sound for more audience. If youve never heard the band, this cd is NOT an accurate depiction of the group, if you are a fan, youll be surprised. I should also say that as i review this cd, i am comparing it to the other 8 or 9 DMB albums that have been released, not to pop music today.