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Crash
Dave Matthews Band (RCA)
The third in a modern rock axis that includes Hootie & the Blowfish, and Blues Traveler, the Dave Matthews Band does little to set itself apart from the eminently forgettable output of their soft-rock compadres.
Really, there's no such thing as a good Dave Matthews Band song. There are decent tidbits imbedded in the seemingly interminable blobs called songs, but these bright moments (the 1:25 mark of "Say Goodbye," the 4:22 mark of "Drive In Drive Out") are inevitably swamped by noodling.
"Crash," produced by Steve Lillywhite (who, it now seems certain, will work for anyone for the right price) is typical jam band fodder: acoustic guitars, pianos, electric violins, drums, every horn imaginable, and bells and whistles blended into a tasteless froth.
The Dave Matthews Band must be designed for people who desperately want some music to love, but who don't come by their passion for songs naturally. If they got out more often, they'd know there's lots more to choose from than music this devoid of form.
"Two Step," a song arranged like a Pere Ubu piece except without a beat, is actually one of the least muddled selections here. A Spanish guitar introduction gives way to some classical gas, jazzy horns creep in, a generally zydeco-style shuffle ensues and Matthews starts singing in a wistful, wounded voice not unlike that of Dave Thomas.
Ultimately, "Crash" makes only a fender-bender of an impact.
-- Paul Hampel
Hear it at 7048
Gato Negro
7 Year Bitch (Atlantic)
This band has been around for a bit of time (released first single in 1990). This band has been through heartbreak (the heroin overdose death of original member Stefanie Sargent). This band has emerged out of the scorched killing fields formerly known as the grunge hot-bed Seattle. You'd think it would have something to say...