the Dave Matthews Band Review Archive

Dave Matthews Band
Under the Table and Dreaming




Dave Matthews Band
Crash




Dave Matthews Band
Before These Crowded Streets




Dave Matthews Band
Everyday




Dave Matthews Band
Busted Stuff




Dave Matthews Band
Stand Up




favorite song: "One Sweet World"


MP3's (for SUPER FAST connections only):

an awesome live version of "One Sweet World" from about 10 years ago: "One Sweet World" (live) (MP3) (this one has a long instrumental intro; the actual song starts at the 3:39 mark)

a beautiful version of "One Sweet World," Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds-style: "One Sweet World" (Dave and Tim acoustic) (MP3)

"#41," the #4 all time DMB song: "#41" (MP3)



top 11 Dave Matthews Band songs of all time:

1. "Grey Street"
2. "Two Step"
3. "Ants Marching"
4. "#41"
5. "Warehouse"
6. "You Never Know"
7. "All Along the Watchtower" (Bob Dylan live cover)
8. "Bartender"
9. "Halloween"
10. "Tripping Billies"
11. "Dancing Nancies"

honorable mention: "What You Are," "Grace is Gone" (especially the slower live version), "Rapunzel"

the official Dave Matthews Band website

poker and life: meeting people is easy

to quote the Radiohead film of the same name.


But, I consider 95% of everyone I've ever meet and ever will meet so ordinary and scared of life that I sometimes find myself wanting to vomit out of sheer boredom (isn't that something out of Fight Club or Seven?).

A fellow poker pro, Keith, recently wrote about high school reunions, rather accurately summing up my thoughts on post-educational life, as well as how other "normal" people perceive us.

Keith's blog is called Caught Up in the Craze and can be found under the "Cool Kids" section in the left-hand column.

I'd rather be dead broke and happy than average, somewhat well off, and unhappy. Just speaking for myself here. Obviously, the key to my life is figuring out what happens to me when I'm dead broke and homeless and all my friends abandon me.

You'll find me either dead or a millionaire before I take a job at the local Walmart.

I might lose my hearing eventually, the Brits finally get it right

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: A Scary Problem and the Possible Ways to Prevent It

This is a cool article, mostly because it manages to mention some of my favorite bands/artists of all time (R.E.M., the Who, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Neil Young, the Beatles)

the slow, steady decline of hearing in Americans, and what we should do to prevent it (we should listen to our friends Rolling Stone magazine, they're cool dudes)

This article reveals alot about our culture and society in general (in other words, we Americans are a loud bunch of A-holes). Theodore Roosevelt was right on, the symbol of our great nation should have really been the Grizzly Bear (instead of the Bald Eagle).

In addition, it's quite well researched and nicely written; the journalist interviewed a Johns Hopkins physician in order to get a cutting-edge viewpoint.

The really sad thing is that, when I was 18, I had my ears checked out by an audiologist because I was worried about this exact thing happening to me. I was told by the doctor that my hearing was perfect, but I had a feeling that I had been misdiagnosed through no fault of his own.

They Love Their Alcohol in the UK

Courtesy of my friend CausticAndy, apparently the drunkards in London are finally giving in to their inner urges and keeping bars open a little later.

come follow us to the London Gymnasium! (CNN article)

I gotta be honest here: this is a great play by British legislators and bar owners. Drunken fights and deaths will become slightly more commonplace, but more in terms of the hours you'll find Frank the Tanks starting fights (instead of fights happening at 11pm sharp, they'll spread out to later hours of the night).

In the short run, incidents will probably go up, but the long run numbers should subside to pre-party law rates. Expect less trips to the local Home Depot (or whatever it is they have in England) whenever Londoners have a big Saturday afternoon planned.

Thanksgiving "Break" 2005

was a blast. The Local News Team was out in force, beers were shared, and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy was quoted to sad extremes.

Papa Burgundy, Champ Kind ("WHAMMY!!!") and Brian Fantana pose quickly for promotional shots.

Capote the best film of 2005

I caught the biopic Capote over the weekend. I was floored, and I can't wait to see it again soon.

The acting was incredible, with Philip Seymour Hoffman a shoo-in to land a Best Actor Oscar nomination; unless he has enemies in Hollywood, he'll win it easily, which says a lot considering the other contenders this year.

Capote will also effortlessly garner a Best Picture nomination.

This film was an exercise in character study, allowing the viewer to see how simultaneously manipulative and vulnerable Truman Capote truly was. Catherine Keener was wonderful as Nelle Harper Lee, delivering a quiet but strong performance. The entire supporting cast was on their game, most notably Chris Cooper as Alvin Dewey and especially Clifton Collins Jr. as convicted killer Perry Smith.

In the near future, I will have a full review that hopefully comes close to doing this movie justice.

Duke visit recap

the ubiquitous old school O's hat, cooling out in Durham (say like Will Ferrell's Neil Diamond in storytellers would)

I had a great trip down to Duke University in Durham, NC recently, where I visited my sister. We went out last Wednesday and Thursday nights, and fun was had by all.

Seton Hall vs. Duke 11/16 @ Cameron Indoor Stadium

Wednesday night we took in the Seton Hall/Duke game. I'll be writing some of my observations of the game soon. Duke looked pretty good, destroying Seton Hall 94-40.

Thanks to Emma for hooking us up with really nice tickets.

Kenin/Badfish Show 11/16 @ Cat's Cradle near Chapel Hill, NC

At around halftime of the game we left to check out a Badfish show. Duke band Kenin opened for them, and to be honest, I thought Kenin were a better, more talented band. The dudes in Kenin graduated from Duke around 2000, where most, if not all, were in the same fraternity (what used to be considered the coolest fraternity at Duke - not so much anymore).

I'm not really too into cover bands (Badfish is a technically proficient Sublime cover band), which is why I appreciated Kenin's showmanship and skill (Badfish were also awesome showmen and crushed their instruments with chops and passion).

Kenin has some really good songs, but the unfortunate thing is, those songs are too complex for the average music listener. Kenin will never be hugely commercially successful unless they change their song structures and look, which is what most people call selling out. If they're willing to dedicate another 10 years to what they love, they'll eventually break through either way.

Angus Barn and the Chocolate Crack Dessert

On Thursday night, I took my sis and her roommates out to dinner at my favorite restaurant of all time, Angus Barn. A fancy steak joint, they have a dessert called the Chocolate Chestnut Pie, which I refer to as Chocolate Crack. I didn't mind dropping more than 300 on dinner, which is the closest I've come to spending 100 a person on dinner (you stay classy, red wine). I'm sure I will surpass that number once I move out to Las Vegas.

a short history of Angus Barn

We went out to a local Duke party, and more fun was had by all.

It was great to run into my brohan, The Bease, and chat for a short time.

my Sis (on the right - the resemblance is shocking) and DC Ashley

Research for One of My Books

I'm currently writing two books. I started the research process for one of them on Friday afternoon (the other isn't as much of a source-based work), and it was nice to see that the Duke campus keeps exploding architecturally, as well as facility-wise.

My current plan is to research extensively at the Eisenhower Library at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, then hit up Princeton's library, followed by Harvard, Yale, and then back to Duke. If I manage to get an advance on the book, which is within the realm of possibility, I would also like to include Oxford and the other internationally elite academic libraries around the world.

I'm a raging nerd.

a small wing of the Duke Divinity Library

another stellar (2) show(s): We Are Scientists/Hot Hot Heat and the Oranges Band 11/19 @ Sonar in Baltimore, MD

I'll have a full review, including a couple of the pictures I took, of both shows coming up soon.

Hot Hot Heat are from Canada, and I wasn't terribly familiar with their stuff going into the show, with the exception of their singles, which I've always found catchy and fun.

about the band (from their official website)

Unfortunately, I only caught the very end of We Are Scientists set (I got held up), which was upsetting because I could tell I would have loved them. There were a total of three bands, with the Heat finishing the night in a somewhat jovial, intense, dancing kind of way. They are a part of what I call the Rhythm Guitar Movement. They fucking rocked.

I can only describe Hot Hot Heat's sound as a happier Interpol, or a more serious Franz Ferdinand. Or to be even more accurate, a more talented (but currently less successful in terms of album sales) version of the Killers.

The highlight of the night was the main set closer, a strong "Bandages" with a little confetti explosion. The light show was also cool throughout the evening, as it wasn't too ostentatious nor distracting, but supplemented the music quite well.

The Heat are the kind of band that guys like because they rock, and cute college girls like because they make them dance.

The Oranges Band are a Baltimore, MD based rock band.

After the show, I spoke with the lead singer of the band for a split second. As it it turns out, he graduated from my high school in 1994. Sounding a lot like the Smiths, early R.E.M., early U2, and the Violent Femmes, the Oranges Band put on a great show for a smaller but still solid crowd of about 100 people, which for a 12:30 am show ain't bad.

More blogs about oranges band.


more to come

Friday night poker

poker night with the guys. "hey! it's Ben McDonald from the 1994 Baltimore Orioles!" we played 10/20 mixed rotation into the early hours of the morning, when i snapped this.

Walk the Line

Saw this while down in North Carolina.

This movie, along with the new Johnny Cash compilation I mentioned, makes a fitting tribute to one of the most rebellious figures in rock and roll. Seeing characters such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Waylon Jennings ("insufficient fundulation") well portrayed, along with an outstanding ensemble cast, make Walk the Line an Oscar contender in some categories (T Bone Burnett, for example, produced the stellar music/soundtrack - Burnett also produced the first Counting Crows record August and Everything After as well as the music for O Brother, Where Art Thou?).

An awesome film for both Johnny Cash completists and fans of well-told stories. The talented Joaquin Phoenix offers a spot-on impression of the Man in Black. Reese Witherspoon was amazing as June Carter Cash.

full review forthcoming

Fear

I saw the above just a short while ago while walking through BWI airport, so I snapped a quick picture. I just had to throw this out there, if you don't like it, you can send it right back.

The Maryland Men's Bball team will be very good this year, mark it down.

off to Durham, NC

Flying down to Duke for a couple of days to visit my sis, catch a basketball game, check out a concert, and have a few drinks. Should be a fun time.

coming up: Duke ----> poker night/guitar jamming ----> Capote ----> Hot Hot Heat/We Are Scientists 11/19 @ Sonar in Baltimore, MD (w/ the Oranges Band playing a separate show at the same place, how sick is that?) ----> Atlantic City, NJ -----> Ted Leo/Pharmacists 11/21 @ Ottobar in Baltimore, MD ----> Thanksgiving

"what the F was that, ref?!? that was a freaking charge and you know it. i'm going to own you!!!"

for those of you about to rock...

... we salute you.

My Top 11 Guitarists of All Time list will be coming up soon.

Also, CaptBinky is preparing a Top 15 Nintendo Games of All Time list, which should be phenomenal.

The Who

Mike Myers to play Keith Moon (from Variety), wreck hotel rooms, drive cars into pools, party with prostitutes, dominate the drums

"last night . . .

. . . she said"
- the Strokes, "Last Night"

Pictures acquired last night from my new digital camera (this thing is going to capture some interesting "images," to say the least).

this kid is too important to look at the camera. "sorry man, I have to field this urgent call, at 1 am at the bar." too important.

"hey!!!" (say like Harry Carey would have). "it's a young Tom Hanks/Lance Armstrong!"

me. most likely singing along like an idiot to the Who.

"it's Hansel and Hottie Amy. he's so hot right now... Hansel." Hottie Amy was partly responsible for us drinking and then asking pretty girls to take pictures with us.

the Letter Never Sent Random Sports Minute

Orioles try to stay classy, tell Palmeiro, Sosa to get the hell out of town. This move is simple addition by subtraction.

I love how the ESPN article linked above starts out, "In a move that comes as a surprise to no one, . . ."

Congratulations to the Duke Blue Devils Men's Soccer team, which beat rival North Carolina in penalty kicks today to win the 2005 ACC title.

Wow, the Ravens really freaking suck. I find it appropriate that Byron Leftwich crushed us almost singlehandedly, seeing that I've always thought, ever since I watched the 2003 NFL Draft as it happened (which if I remember correctly was also the year The Minnesota Vikings commited one of the funniest oopsies I've seen in Classy Sports History when they just completely missed their draft pick by taking longer than the alloted 15 minutes - what?!?), we should have traded up even higher to draft Leftwich instead of Kyle Boller as our QB of the future (Brian Billick can't tell the difference between quarterback talent and his big fat head).

At this point, the entire team needs to be blown up. Not even drafting Matt Leinart in the 2006 Draft could make us slightly competitive next year.

Oh well, at least I can STILL laugh about the controversy caused by those Carolina Panthers cheerleaders - way to go, UNC-Charlotte!.

FJDelgado gets a stripper's number

cutie Natalie Portman in Closer

Well, it was probably just a matter of time, but I can finally cross off one of the few dozen items on my "Asinine Things To-Do List."

I was pretty hammered at a bar in Towson, MD (the hometown of Seinfeld's Elaine character) earlier tonight when this chick came up to me and my friend, Chill Mark. I had been humoring her in conversation for a little while when, seemingly out of nowhere, she busted out, "Do you have a pen?". After getting her number, and as she was leaving, she revealed that "Layla" was her stage name, and "xxx" was her real name. And that I should go see her dance at the local mid/high-end strip club.

In my crazy, fucked-up mind, I danced a little jig.

Sophomoric high-fives were exchanged throughout the bar...

... and then I rode off into the friscalating dusklight.

The hilarious thing is that she went to high school around here, and she was classmates with the sibling of one of my buddies.

You stay classy, Layla!

off to AC, another new contributor

photo courtesy "archangel" @ Two Plus Two

I'll be heading to Atlantic City for a brief stint of poker and drinking at the Borgata with my pal Intellectual Steve. I hope Annie the Hottie Dealer (from the Babes of the Borgata 2005 calendar, pictured above) deals at my 40/80 table like last time.

This trip will be centered more on having fun than pure poker, so it'll be interesting to see if I get drunk and manage to piss off an entire table of players, like many, many times before.

It's actually quite possible those Coronas on the right were for me.

The Borgata fires fat chicks, stays classy

In site news, we're having yet another smartass join Letter Never Sent. He is known in some circles as Captain Fun. Hopefully he'll start posting soon, as he's a great writer with a hilarious sense of humor.

In honor of this AC jaunt, some philosophically deep AC/DC:

"... and while you're out there
sitting on the fence
get off your ass and come down here

cuz rock and roll
ain't no riddle, man
to me it makes
good, good sense

rock and roll ain't noise pollution
rock and roll will never die
rock and roll ain't no pollution
rock and roll
it will survive, yes it will"

- AC/DC, "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution"

college basketball: Duke has dominating team (again)

The early accolades are starting to pour in for the 2005-2006 Duke Blue Devils.

Williams, Redick selected preseason All-Americans

Duke #1 in AP Poll

This year's team should lose about4 games, and should make the Final Four at worst (although anything can happen). The squad's biggest weakness could be pure athleticism at the wings (what I'm trying to say is that we might be too white).

Letter Never Sent Predictions:

MVP: Shelden Williams
ACC Player of the Year: J.J. Redick
X-Factor/Most Improved Player: DeMarcus Nelson
next reviled white Duke player: tie Greg Paulus / Martynas Pocius
ACC surprise team of the year: Maryland (we're calling for a 2nd place finish behind Duke)
possible history: Clemson finally beating UNC @ Chapel Hill (if it doesn't happen this year it may never happen)

more to come...

Josh McRoberts (above right) is Duke's best white big man since Mike Dunleavy.

a Johnny Cash compilation for the ages, solid new Depeche Mode

Johnny Cash
The Legend of Johnny Cash



The world lost a rock and roll and country icon when Johnny Cash passed away in late 2003. For those of us who missed out on those extra levels of humor when Sue explained how he got his name in Swingers, this top notch compilation offers a career-spanning look that will impress long-time Cash fans as well as new listeners.

Featuring many of his classic songs and covers, the last half finds Cash revealing his diverse appreciation for music, exemplified in songs ranging from his collaboration with U2 (the atmospheric "The Wanderer") to a cover of a Nine Inch Nails song (a poignant, powerful take on "Hurt").

Legend would make a good Christmas gift for anyone who enjoys their songs about traveling, drinking, growing, losing, and loving.

Depeche Mode
Playing the Angel



Thank God that David Gahan's suicide attempt failed since, because of that deal, we get more new Depeche Mode like Playing the Angel. Everybody wins.

Full reviews for both records forthcoming.

a hand for thought

I was "FJDelgado" in the following hand, my online name is changed for shits and giggles.

############################################################################
Stage #217920052: Holdem Normal $15/$30 - 2005-11-03 04:07:54.007 (ET) [ 2005-11-03 04:07:54 ]
Table: Austin (Real Money) Seat #9 is the dealer
Seat 9 - C SPACKLER ($920.35 in chips)
Seat 2 - FREDRIK312 ($639 in chips)
Seat 3 - ANY2WILLDO4U ($704 in chips)
Seat 4 - DTXQH ($712.20 in chips)
Seat 5 - DAKID1 ($1000 in chips)
Seat 6 - FJDelgado ($1562 in chips)
FREDRIK312 - Posts small blind $10
ANY2WILLDO4U - Posts big blind $15
DAKID1 - sitout (wait for BB)
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to FJDelgado [8d 7d]
DTXQH - Calls $15
FJDelgado - Raises $30 to $30
C SPACKLER - Folds
FREDRIK312 - Folds
ANY2WILLDO4U - Folds
DTXQH - Calls $15
*** FLOP *** [4d 5h 3s]
DTXQH - Checks
FJDelgado - Bets $15
DTXQH - Raises $30 to $30
FJDelgado - Raises $30 to $45
DTXQH - Raises $30 to $60
FJDelgado - Calls $15
*** TURN *** [4d 5h 3s] [6c]
DTXQH - Checks
FJDelgado - Bets $30
DTXQH - Raises $60 to $60
FJDelgado - Raises $60 to $90
DTXQH - Raises $60 to $120
FJDelgado - Calls $30
*** RIVER *** [4d 5h 3s 6c] [10d]
DTXQH - Bets $30
FJDelgado - Raises $60 to $60
DTXQH - Raises $60 to $90
FJDelgado - Raises $60 to $120
DTXQH - Calls $30
*** SHOW DOWN ***
FJDelgado - Shows [8d 7d] (Straight, four to eight)
DTXQH - Mucks
FJDelgado Collects $682 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($685) Rake ($3)
Board [4d 5h 3s 6c 10d]
Seat 2: FREDRIK312 (small blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 3: ANY2WILLDO4U (big blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 4: DTXQH HI: [Mucked] [Ah 7c]
Seat 6: FJDelgado won Total ($682) HI:($682) with Straight, four to eight [8d 7d - P:8d,P:7d,B:6c,B:5h,B:4d]
Seat 9: C SPACKLER (dealer) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
############################################################################

Any critiques are welcome.

Obviously, playing the stone cold nuts is easy. But what interested me about this hand was the play of DTXQH. I put him on top pair (specifically A5) after his flop raise, which is why I 3-bet the flop (to represent a higher pocket pair, and increase my profit if I wound up hitting the turn). When he capped the flop, I was concerned about DTXQH holding a middle pocket pair. After his turn cap, I was positive he held 77 (he did not), and that he was paying me off ATM-style.

Thank God for donkeys.