As a longtime Dave defender, it's tough to give
Stand Up a mediocre review — however, this is one mediocre LP. There's nothing wrong with a band wanting to grow musically and try new things, but apparently Matthews' band never heard of babysteps. Like the dismal
Everyday a few years back, this is an obvious attempt to break out of DMB's steadfast formula — unfortunately, when they just toss it aside, the chaotic result is a stylistic jumble. With 14 tracks of "Hey, let's try this," a lot of it falls flat and the handful of songs that do work don't save the whole. Better to just wait for the next live CD.
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Dave Matthews Band's first studio album in four years, Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King,…