Will this album be the bands biggest success?

[joepsu0985]

Ok..Stick with me on this one. American Baby was number one on the AAA charts and already number 19 on the Billboard charts without the album being released...This album will more than likley debut at number 1.

I pose a few questions...Will this album be alot bigger than the previous albums? Will this album make more people fans of the Dave Matthews Band? Do you think that this album will draw so many fans that DMB will be able to sell out stadium tours yearly or at least attract a lot more people to order tickets for amp. shows?

My opinions on these questions...

This album will blow the other albums out of the water based on sells. A big part of this is because they are promoting it pretty well. I think a lot more people will be turned onto the Dave Matthews Band, espically becaue AB is getting a lot of air time. After this album drops I expect to see more and more shows being sold out for this summer...And next summer I with the success of this album, I can see the boys doing more stadiums even though they dont like them..But They will have to move to bigger venues..I dont think they will play an entire tour in stadiums, but some...more than this year anyway..

[nonewdirections]

I think Everyday and Crash will be their twin greatest successes over the years, simply because the most people will own those two albums over their other studio releases.

[joepsu0985]

Even with AB so high on the chats already?

[MistreatedLewis]

I think it's very possible. I still wonder when the rest of the fucking planet is going to catch on to this band. I still think they're better than U2, even if their records aren't as good as Radiohead's...

[nonewdirections]

Even with AB so high on the chats already?

Yes. I don't think it's really that high. It's not topping the charts like some people are suggesting. Didn't their singles from Everyday easily outdo it? I just don't think the climate is going to be incredibly enthusiastic among non-fans since pop rock (which is what people perceive DMB as, although a bit quirkier than other mainstream pop rock bands) isn't doing so hot in general right now. I'm not sure if there's a massive untapped market for it. Sure it'll do really well, but I don't think it'll set any new records for the band.

[joepsu0985]

I think it's very possible. I still wonder when the rest of the fucking planet is going to catch on to this band. I still think they're better than U2, even if their records aren't as good as Radiohead's...

Yeah really....This band could be 10 times greater than U2 if they wanted to be...I hate U2....This might be the easiest and best album for others to relate too...Sure Crash was, but it still was a differnt type of music that still didnt appeal to other people...This sounds like a type of album that could appeal to others who might have heard AB on the radio...But they might be thrown off from the older stuff too...

[nonewdirections]

Yeah really....This band could be 10 times greater than U2 if they wanted to be...I hate U2....This might be the easiest and best album for others to relate too...Sure Crash was, but it still was a differnt type of music that still didnt appeal to other people...This sounds like a type of album that could appeal to others who might have heard AB on the radio...But they might be thrown off from the older stuff too...

I personally think they should buck mainstream trends and release Trippin Billies as a single in 2006.

[joepsu0985]

I personally think they should buck mainstream trends and release Trippin Billies as a single in 2006.


If you are being serious....I think it would be intersting to see DMB try to set the trend with release like that....It could change the way mainstream is leaning today..

[nonewdirections]

If you are being serious....I think it would be intersting to see DMB try to set the trend with release like that....It could change the way mainstream is leaning today..

Well I am being serious, but I don't think anyone in the record industry would even take the time to laugh at my suggestion.

[joepsu0985]

Some of the greatest artists made it taking a chance like that....That is how music evolves...with all the short songs on this album though...there could be a realease of something like Tripping Billies....maybe Lousiana Bayou

[nonewdirections]

Some of the greatest artists made it taking a chance like that....That is how music evolves...with all the short songs on this album though...there could be a realease of something like Tripping Billies....maybe Lousiana Bayou

No, I meant actually putting out a Tripping Billies single and playing it on the radio, exactly as it sounded on Crash. I don't think Louisiana Bayou is really a good choice for the radio.

[joepsu0985]

No, I meant actually putting out a Tripping Billies single and playing it on the radio, exactly as it sounded on Crash. I don't think Louisiana Bayou is really a good choice for the radio.

So what your main point is a single from an differnt album than what they are going to release?

[nonewdirections]

So what your main point is a single from an differnt album than what they are going to release?

Just to shake things up a bit. Since everyone likes to reference the Beatles so much, name the LP that Hey Jude was on. :) (hint, you can't)

[3YNK4]

I'm not sure. Most of the non-dmb fans I know weren't impressed at all with American Baby and I don't think those people will really be overly impressed with anything on the album but I think it might get shoved down peoples throats because Batson has his name on it.

[phunky420]

I hope no one likes the new album...that way i can continue to get good seats at shows ;)

[kmsracer]

Just to shake things up a bit. Since everyone likes to reference the Beatles so much, name the LP that Hey Jude was on. :) (hint, you can't)

I always loved how the beatles occasionally released singles without putting them on an album.

The music industry would never do that today though since they need every decent song on an album to sell sell sell

[EatSleepJeep]

I hope no one likes the new album...that way i can continue to get good seats at shows ;)

Exactly. DMB doesn't need to expand their fanbase any further from our perspective.

[brydro]

I think it will be, dont like it, but I think it will...

[Orpheus]

I think it will be another peak. They were most visible in the 90's during the time "Crash" was released, which I'd call another peak. "Everyday" got a lot of coverage also. I think this album, with it's new-yet-familiar sound, will be pretty huge this summer.

[Reanimated]

I think it will be, dont like it, but I think it will...


I'm with this guy.

[jfolden]

I think Everyday and Crash will be their twin greatest successes over the years, simply because the most people will own those two albums over their other studio releases.

Not sure if I not understanding your post correctly, but from a sales, standpoint, UTTAD and Crash have been the two biggest albums for DMB (around 6 and 7 million, respectively). Everyday and BTCS sold 3 million and Busted Stuff 2 million. IMHO, Stand Up will probably be in the 2-3 million range like the last 3 studio albums unless one single takes off like Crash or WWYS did.

[dmb21]

I agree with you guys on the new album. I love how the band released Busted Stuff during the summer because the band always reminds me of summer, and the same goes for this album. The new album just sounds so distinct from what's out in music right now. To borrow from VH1, the album sounds like a bunch of talented musicians kicking back and just having fun. And to me, summer is all about kicking back and having fun. I don't know if the new album will be the band's best though. It took me a few listens to some of the songs to truely appreciate how good they are. I do feel that this album has some of the catchiest riffs the band has ever pulled out. I can't get Stand Up and Everybody Wake Up out of my head. I know I am gonna get negative replys over this, but I just don't think anything will ever beat Crash for me. That album is number one in my books :)

[brydro]

http://www.mtv.com/

Front Page, DMB #2 hottest video on MTV

[greg87lax]

If you are being serious....I think it would be intersting to see DMB try to set the trend with release like that....It could change the way mainstream is leaning today..

IMO
i really think what dmb needs is to completely forget about the mainstream and all their stupid desires and expectations. They already have proven to be successful and no longer have the need to perform for $ or income/living purposes. They should forget about what the teenieboppers want and just do their own thing. True fans that appreciate them for what they do and the talent they have will always be around. So what if they arent selling out ampitheatres in a few more years, go for arena shows or smaller yet...they just need to do their own thing w/o considering what would do well on the charts...do it for the sake of the integrity of their music.

[shoegal_97]

Which album so far is their biggest success, not musically but as far as record sales go? I would think maybe Crash or Everyday, because when I was just a casual fan, those are the two cd's that I remembered hearing a lot about...I didn't even know busted stuff and BTCS was out until I got really heavily into DMB, but yeah since this album is being promoted well I think it has potential to make huge sales

[greg87lax]

uttad (7 mil) and Crash (6 mil) have been the biggest success as far as sales

[BeQuietAndDrive]

uttad (7 mil) and Crash (6 mil) have been the biggest success as far as sales

Not really a big surprise, they've both been on the market for much longer than Everyday.

With a band like DMB that continues to pick up new fans thanks to their amorphic sound and live shows, one would expect their old albums to sell steadily rather well.

[Orpheus]

IMO
i really think what dmb needs is to completely forget about the mainstream and all their stupid desires and expectations. They already have proven to be successful and no longer have the need to perform for $ or income/living purposes.

They're not. "Stand Up" is a pure DMB album, it's what they wanted to make, but people just can't seem to accept that.

If they try to please their fans, it's only because they know how lucky they are to have the job they have, and know who to thank for it.

Honestly... some of you folks act like you don't know these guys at all. I've absorbed everything nuance I could over the last ten years, and I've figured this out about them: they're real. But nobody seems to want to face that--that they're not gods and legends, they're just a damn good band playing their hearts out for you unappreciative, self-involved, drunken asses every summer.

[il bacio dolce]

Like every other album they've done, this one isn't universally loved. But I think it could be. I also think it's going to bring in a lot of new fans, as Everyday did, and there will be even more of a division between fans that like the older stuff best and fans who like the newer stuff best.

[greg87lax]

id just be curious to see the record sales over the months/years....like when uttad first came out how many it sold, but then what sales it did over the years up until the present time

[greg87lax]

They're not. "Stand Up" is a pure DMB album, it's what they wanted to make, but people just can't seem to accept that.

If they try to please their fans, it's only because they know how lucky they are to have the job they have, and know who to thank for it.

Honestly... some of you folks act like you don't know these guys at all. I've absorbed everything nuance I could over the last ten years, and I've figured this out about them: they're real. But nobody seems to want to face that--that they're not gods and legends, they're just a damn good band playing their hearts out for you unappreciative, self-involved, drunken asses every summer.

I don't doubt they didnt want to make it, and what i meant i think they're beginnign to lean in that direction. I think you are completely missing my point. and for arguments sake, I don't believe Stand Up is pure dmb, yes, it has changed, but they sacrificed some of their greatest qualities as a band...and if it was pure dmb and not aimed at mainstream, then they wouldn't have had batson produce it...for god's sake, he produced 50 cent....it just makes me gag that "my" band would even consider being affiliated that closely to such a disgrace

[greg87lax]

and as a disclaimer...i still think the album is not bad at all, and i believe it will grow on me as all the others have...its just headed in the wrong direction, and im not sure if the bad realizes this or meant for it to happen

[Orpheus]

and as a disclaimer...i still think the album is not bad at all, and i believe it will grow on me as all the others have...its just headed in the wrong direction, and im not sure if the bad realizes this or meant for it to happen

It's headed back in the right direction, which is a more *balanced* mix of fun, upbeat, brooding, and sad songs. The charm of the old DMB albums was that even while Dave was singing about things that bothered him in the world, he didn't depress the hell out of you. The band shined, gave you lots of things to listen to. Even Everyday did that fairly well, though the veneer was somewhat impersonal and uninviting.

[jfolden]

id just be curious to see the record sales over the months/years....like when uttad first came out how many it sold, but then what sales it did over the years up until the present time

Here are the last milestone's for each album:

RTT wnet platinum in 7/2002 (around 9 years)
UTTAD went 6x platinum in 3/2000 (about 6 years)
Crash went 7x platinum in 3/2000 (about 4 years)
BTCS went 3x platinum in 9/1999 (about 1.5 years)
Everyday went 3x platinum in 1/02 (less than 1 year)
Busted Stuff went 2x platinum 0n 8/29/02 (about 1.5 months)

You can go here and search and it will tell you when each album reached a milestone in sales.

http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/default.asp

[greyst1crash]

It's headed back in the right direction, which is a more *balanced* mix of fun, upbeat, brooding, and sad songs. The charm of the old DMB albums was that even while Dave was singing about things that bothered him in the world, he didn't depress the hell out of you. The band shined, gave you lots of things to listen to. Even Everyday did that fairly well, though the veneer was somewhat impersonal and uninviting.

:thumbsup totally agree with you. I will always love the way Dave can sing about serious topics like death and politics and yet, deliver it in way that wouldn't leave me completly depressed at the end. while there are many examples, one that comes quickest to mind is grey st. and now, EWU has that same vibe, at least to me. I'm really enjoying the varied mix of emotions and rhythms in Stand Up, and i'm sure i'll only grow to like it more come tuesday.

[Robio]

They're not. "Stand Up" is a pure DMB album, it's what they wanted to make, but people just can't seem to accept that.

If they try to please their fans, it's only because they know how lucky they are to have the job they have, and know who to thank for it.

Honestly... some of you folks act like you don't know these guys at all. I've absorbed everything nuance I could over the last ten years, and I've figured this out about them: they're real. But nobody seems to want to face that--that they're not gods and legends, they're just a damn good band playing their hearts out for you unappreciative, self-involved, drunken asses every summer.\

Good post. I've never given a rep point, but I'll give you one for that.:thumbsup

[TurboPGT]

They're not. "Stand Up" is a pure DMB album, it's what they wanted to make, but people just can't seem to accept that.

If they try to please their fans, it's only because they know how lucky they are to have the job they have, and know who to thank for it.

Honestly... some of you folks act like you don't know these guys at all. I've absorbed everything nuance I could over the last ten years, and I've figured this out about them: they're real. But nobody seems to want to face that--that they're not gods and legends, they're just a damn good band playing their hearts out for you unappreciative, self-involved, drunken asses every summer.

Great post. +points for u. This is all very true. This goes a long with ciriticizing the bands new material. While I think it's intelligent, healthy, and neccessary to critique the bands work, they do deserve an element of good faith above all else. People that make posts like Azar on the front page ("It's official...") have lost (or never had) any of the good faith. A lot of people suck up everything they can and then when it no longer satisfies the same way it used to, they lash out at it. You want too much. Too Much. Suck it up, suck it up. ;)

[IlliniDave]

I'm going to agree with the original post and say that this album could potentially become the bands biggest success. It seems to me that there's a lot more excitement going into this album than there has been with most of their other recent albums and this has probably been the best marketed album ever. AB seems to be doing really well on the charts and I think Dreamgirl will also be an incredibly successful single. Another factor that could play a factor in terms of the success of this album is how many new fans this album will attract, which I think is a definite possibility. While this is by no means a complete departure from most DMB albums, there are a lot of people who are on the fringe in their feelings on the band (I'm friends with many who feel this way) and perhaps the "new" sound of this album will appeal to them more and get them to embrace DMB. Time will tell...

[wiebrod]

Great post. +points for u. This is all very true. This goes a long with ciriticizing the bands new material. While I think it's intelligent, healthy, and neccessary to critique the bands work, they do deserve an element of good faith above all else. People that make posts like Azar on the front page ("It's official...") have lost (or never had) any of the good faith. A lot of people suck up everything they can and then when it no longer satisfies the same way it used to, they lash out at it. You want too much. Too Much. Suck it up, suck it up. ;)

I don't know what it is but I for some reason like everything you seem to post on here, and that's why I'm using my 100th post on responding to this. I think I tend to have the same opinion as you most of the time. It is good to critique the album but we have grown to love so many things about this band and I couldn't imagine myself possibly coming up with so many unique tunes, sounds, and new songs if I had a catalog as great as theirs. I respect people's opinion, and to each it's own, but respect the band for what they are and everything they do for us fans like touring all over the place for so many years and producing so many great songs and moments, instead of what have they done for me lately.

[darbini]

http://www.mtv.com/

Front Page, DMB #2 hottest video on MTV


What is that "This is Where" video, has anyone watched it? From an AIDS benefit show.

[TurboPGT]

I have taken it upon myself since Febuary to begin spreading this album around (not the actual album mind you, just the knowledge of its existence) to as many non-dmb fans as possible. I've handed out self-made pamphlets with information on the tour since March, and have directed over a 100 people to the new album website...

...My results to this date are as follows: American Baby has soared. I have played this song for as many different kinds of people as you can imagine and it has been received really well. Even by those people who, "hate DMB" but have never actually heard a single song...yeah u know the type. Casual listeners have responded imensely to the lyrics and Dave's voice...Musicians have really enjoyed the end jam and have described Dave's guitar style as, "weird, but cool.", especially after i showed them how it was played.

This album may very well sell better than any other release...and if it does it'll will be for two reasons....#1 it has greater marketability than previous albums...#2 Its blowing the market up with advertising.

[ericvol]

I can't believe DMB is #2 on MTV...Awesome, I guess.

What do you all think will be the 3rd or 4th singles...or will there even be another after dreamgirl.
I am thinking Stand Up or Everybody Wake Up
I wish Hello again tho, maybe thats why they shortened it?

[darbini]

I would like to hear Stolen Away, it's really a great song. This could be the 4th single after Louisiana Bayou or Hello Again. Hell, maybe HFTGL, rocking song which I think would do great on the radio.

[MistreatedLewis]

I would like to hear Stolen Away, it's really a great song. This could be the 4th single after Louisiana Bayou or Hello Again. Hell, maybe HFTGL, rocking song which I think would do great on the radio.

Rock radio would eat up Hunger I think.

[heywhynot]

I can't believe DMB is #2 on MTV...Awesome, I guess.

What do you all think will be the 3rd or 4th singles...or will there even be another after dreamgirl.
I am thinking Stand Up or Everybody Wake Up
I wish Hello again tho, maybe thats why they shortened it?

I really think Everybody Wake up has good potential to get it. It's got a great intro and it's pretty catchy

[MistreatedLewis]

I really think Everybody Wake up has good potential to get it. It's got a great intro and it's pretty catchy


Everybody Wake Up is musically becoming one of my favorite DMB recordings.

[heywhynot]

Everybody Wake Up is musically becoming one of my favorite DMB recordings.

yeah. its not really my favorite song on stand up but i just love the sound. it gets better every time i hear it. in a couple months I'm sure everyone will be loving it

[IlliniDave]

If DMB came up with a radio edit version of Old Dirt Hill (maybe without so much of the "Bring that beat back" background singing), I could see it making for a very nice summer single... just a thought

[MistreatedLewis]

yeah. its not really my favorite song on stand up but i just love the sound. it gets better every time i hear it. in a couple months I'm sure everyone will be loving it

I'll add that I don't love the lyrics, but I haven't loved most of the lyrics Dave's written since Crash so it hardly bothers me. I'm used to it.

[Quickbeam]

Even if this were to be DMB's greatest album, in terms of quality I sincerly doubt that it will be a succes overseas. Speaking as one of the few dutch fans (or mainland european fans for that matter), it will be awfully difficult to market dmb to europeans. I have tried over and over again to persuade my dutch friends to listen to and like dmb but to no avail. While they enjoy listening to fairly similar music such as John Mayer, Coldplay etc I can not get them to like DMB. I have been listening to this album for the last week and I can guarantee that it wont be a succes here. Europeans have a different taste in music, and DMB is about as different from mainstream music as mozart.

[bigeyedron]

IMO
i really think what dmb needs is to completely forget about the mainstream and all their stupid desires and expectations. They already have proven to be successful and no longer have the need to perform for $ or income/living purposes. They should forget about what the teenieboppers want and just do their own thing. True fans that appreciate them for what they do and the talent they have will always be around. So what if they arent selling out ampitheatres in a few more years, go for arena shows or smaller yet...they just need to do their own thing w/o considering what would do well on the charts...do it for the sake of the integrity of their music.

That is like saying that second place is pretty good, let's just stay there. Seriously, if I was in their shoes I'd say, let's see how far we can take this thing.

[xander]

Even if this were to be DMB's greatest album, in terms of quality I sincerly doubt that it will be a succes overseas. Speaking as one of the few dutch fans (or mainland european fans for that matter), it will be awfully difficult to market dmb to europeans. I have tried over and over again to persuade my dutch friends to listen to and like dmb but to no avail. While they enjoy listening to fairly similar music such as John Mayer, Coldplay etc I can not get them to like DMB. I have been listening to this album for the last week and I can guarantee that it wont be a succes here. Europeans have a different taste in music, and DMB is about as different from mainstream music as mozart.

Nice to see another fan from Holland here!
And I'm afraid I have to agree with you. Some of my friends do enjoy listening to DMB but they are not nearly as big a fan as I am. I think this new album won't change that. They won't like it at all. I'm not even sure I like it myself....

[Br10dr41]

IMO
i really think what dmb needs is to completely forget about the mainstream and all their stupid desires and expectations. They already have proven to be successful and no longer have the need to perform for $ or income/living purposes. They should forget about what the teenieboppers want and just do their own thing. True fans that appreciate them for what they do and the talent they have will always be around. So what if they arent selling out ampitheatres in a few more years, go for arena shows or smaller yet...they just need to do their own thing w/o considering what would do well on the charts...do it for the sake of the integrity of their music.

You know maybe I pathetically need more validation or something, but I hope that this album is tremendously successful. To me it has nothing to do with DMB needing to cater to "teenieboppers" or worrying about what will do well. I think that they are talented enough and their sound is distinctive enough that if they promote themselves well, their worst song can be a popular success. I echo earlier sentiments that if they stay somewhat of a secret then we'll all get good seats at shows each year. I think I love the band too much to want that over seeing them get the acclaim that they deserve. I want the country to be able to look back decades from now and for people to see DMB have been given the rightful place in history that I feel that they earn night in and night out (and album in and album out)

[yanks7533]

i think that so many people can relate to this album, it's fun and imo does not lose touch with the dmb of old, in fact it brings back qualities of their old recordings, i feel many song will be amazing and fun live and are already great to chill to in the car etc.

i think this is the type of album they needed to do to recapture attention and hopefully their next album continues wat is imo a upwards trend after everyday...we'll see

[MistreatedLewis]

Nice to see another fan from Holland here!
And I'm afraid I have to agree with you. Some of my friends do enjoy listening to DMB but they are not nearly as big a fan as I am. I think this new album won't change that. They won't like it at all. I'm not even sure I like it myself....

Though, interestingly, is the case of one my best friends. He is a lover of music those his tastes are varied and very distinct. He loves Nine Inch Nails, Tori Amos, Black Eyed Peas, Peter Gabriel, goth music, System of a Down, etc. And he doesn't like jam bands. And he never particularly cared for DMB. But then he went with me and a few friends to see them at MSG (5-29-02 to be exact) and he really liked it. He has since gone to a few more shows with me and enjoyed them and owns much of the officially released live catalog. However, he has always stated how weak he thinks the band's studio efforts are - that is, until he has heard Stand Up, which he likes very much. He likes the crispness and compactness of the songs on this album. And this is a guy who enjoys a good live #41, Jimi Thing, and Two Step. So go figure.