What @CaseyLiss got wrong (and right) about the Dave Matthews Band

On this week’s podcast of Unjustly Maligned, Casey Liss did a great job defending one of my favorite bands of all time- the Dave Matthews Band.  If you’re a fan of DMB as well, take a listen.

But I wouldn’t be writing just to agree with him, so here’s my quick takes on the things Casey got wrong.

Most glaringly- “Seek Up” is NOT from Before These Crowded Streets.  In fact, the only “studio” album it appears on is Remember Two Things - the band’s first and self-produced album.  That had me yelling at my speakers a few times.

I also disagree that Before These Crowded Streets is the band’s “pinnacle” as Casey asserts.  I do, however, think it’s fair to call it the “apex.”  “Pinnacle” suggests this was the best thing they produced and- for me- that title goes to the un-released “Lillywhite Sessions” that leaked out after the album Everyday.  But that said, I totally agree that Before These Crowded Streets was the band’s “apex;” the highest point in their career trajectory and the album that we all remember as being the height of DMB fandom.  (Also unmentioned was the album Big Whiskey and the Groo Grux King which I think is also amazing but on the waning side of the apex.)

But overall, I loved the podcast.  As a fellow life-long DMB fan (and a fellow member of the seemingly small “I enjoy DMB and have never done drugs” club) hearing Casey articulate so well what so many of us think and feel about the group was just a treat.  So for a stirring defense of the Dave Matthews Band, at tip of my hat to Casey Liss (whoever that guy is...)

PS- if you don't know who Casey Liss is, you should.  So go check out his blog or follow him on Twitter (@CaseyLiss) because you'll be glad you did both.