In YOUR opinion, is Dave mailing it in this summer?

[crashintonickdm]

Originally Posted by dontdrink36

you're so wrong!

2005
2007
2009
2012
2014

They're all in the below average catatory

[Jsc6545]

Originally Posted by Roose13

I said no, because it's not intentional. I think he has it set in his mind that these shows are great, and since it's a new format, they want to make sure every stop gets to experience some of the performances he feels the crowd will love and has been loving.

I agree with this. I honestly think that Dave believes he/the band kill it night in and night out

[TablesTurnAgain]

Originally Posted by Roose13

I said no, because it's not intentional. I think he has it set in his mind that these shows are great, and since it's a new format, they want to make sure every stop gets to experience some of the performances he feels the crowd will love and has been loving.

This. They want to provide a quality show at every venue. And after 20 years of touring, they can't always be hitting the high points. And I'm not at their age but I imagine when I am I would be complacent with still putting on an entertaining show and not too concerned over dramatic life changing performances like the old days.

[mavonw]

100 songs across 30 shows can be considered mailing it in? hm.

[crashintonickdm]

Originally Posted by mavonw

100 songs across 30 shows can be considered mailing it in? hm.

Many of them with under 3-5 plays. Hm

[DmBand801]

Originally Posted by baldi41

I'm glad they are touring but I'm personally done for awhile till I see more of setlist variety. Just when I think I'm getting into a show a song comes out that brings me back to the reality that this band is not exploring its deep song catalogue. Have fun for those who continue to follow band. Wake me up when they start mixing it up more.

I'm in the same boat as you. I am strongly considering not going to Bristow next weekend. It's that bad.

[DMBzilla]

Originally Posted by lrhyde

I don't think he's mailing it in, I just think that us at Ants and Dave have a very different definition of varity and mixing it up...I feel like Dave thinks that if he just plays a few songs that haven't been played in years then it's considered "variety"

Originally Posted by Roose13

I said no, because it's not intentional. I think he has it set in his mind that these shows are great, and since it's a new format, they want to make sure every stop gets to experience some of the performances he feels the crowd will love and has been loving.

Without being inside Dave's head none of know exactly what he's thinking when he writes a given set. However, we do know that he knows exactly what the hardcores want, and he actively chooses to throw us a bone very sporadically.

That said, I'm not cynical enough to believe that he sits back and says, "Meh, I'm not feeling it tonight, so I'm just gonna throw a bunch of shit together we've played and take it easy tonight." I truly believe that in his mind he's writing sets nightly that all fans will enjoy.

But in the context of this thread, all that matters is what WE think.

Originally Posted by pgapro

Dave has never mailed it in. So no.

[thewitt85]

Originally Posted by Roose13

I said no, because it's not intentional. I think he has it set in his mind that these shows are great, and since it's a new format, they want to make sure every stop gets to experience some of the performances he feels the crowd will love and has been loving.

Agree completely

[2stepcrash]

If you are going to bring back the Lovely Ladies... Why not bring back JTR with them?

[thewitt85]

Originally Posted by mavonw

100 songs across 30 shows can be considered mailing it in? hm.

Originally Posted by crashintonickdm

Many of them with under 3-5 plays. Hm

38 of the 99 songs have less than 5 plays.

[FunkyDrummer_CB]

My issue is not the song choice but the way the band is playing the songs. I went to the Texas run of shows and it sounded very sloppy to me. I don't feel like they are using all of the band members the best way. The acoustic sets sounded very much the same as the regular in some cases (Tripping Billies). I have also noticed too many solos going to Tim...what's up with that? Songs that would normally feature Jeff, are now going to Tim. The ending of Crush is an example of how there is just way too much going on..you can't even hear Carter's solo over all that wailing by Tim and the horns. My personal wish is that the band would take a chill pill and get back to more dynamics and finesse. I think since Tim, was brought back in, the band has just become too busy in the way they play. just my opinion of course....

[DaveJR]

We are spoiled. We need something to bitch at, and for some reason song variety and The Dave Matthews BAND's passion is being called into question. Hmmmm

No to the thread question.

[fallcityfan]

I have only seen one concert so far this year (the Yahoo one) and it looked like they were all working hard to put on a good show. Now some may not like the song choices and I certainly get this, but I don't think it's a matter of laziness or disinterest. But, as at the poll asks, that's just my opinion.

[GRADMB94]

The variety may be a little slow compared to previous years, but I was still thrilled with the three shows I saw this year. Whether or not they play the same songs, they always bring a bunch of energy to the table and are always to make each play unique. If I could, I would be buying tickets for more shows

[Dannyyankou]

I will say though that from a performance standpoint, the shows are very strong. When they play the classics, they play them very well.

All the more reason this tour had so much potential.

[barbogast]

Originally Posted by Dannyyankou

I will say though that from a performance standpoint, the shows are very strong. When they play the classics, they play them very well.

All the more reason this tour had so much potential.

I think this is true in many cases but very much untrue in others. The songs they play a lot? Yeah, they kill them. But the one BOWA was pretty sloppy and one of the Pigs had some misses in it too. The Stone hasn't really been nailed yet either. I'm sure there's more examples.

[Dannyyankou]

Originally Posted by barbogast

I think this is true in many cases but very much untrue in others. The songs they play a lot? Yeah, they kill them. But the one BOWA was pretty sloppy and one of the Pigs had some misses in it too. The Stone hasn't really been nailed yet either. I'm sure there's more examples.

I guess I'm judging based on the shows I've seen, but they nailed Lover Lay Down and You Never Know in Hartford. And then the regular season, like Warehouse, Nancies, Minarets, and Crush were as good as I've ever seen them.

[DMBzilla]

Based on the discussion here it seems that different people have different definitions of "mailing it in," which is to be expected.

I do think they play their asses off every night. But when most of the songs they're playing show up every other night while so many of the sub-five songs are so great, that factors in as well.

[SpotlightEyes]

Originally Posted by DMBzilla

In 29 shows, they have played just 38 unique songs in the acoustic set:

Stolen Away on 55th & 3rd 19
Two Step 18
What Would You Say 18
Ants Marching 14
Recently 14
Snow Outside 12
Bartender 11
Sugar Man 11
Tripping Billies 11
I'll Back You Up 10
So Damn Lucky 10
#27 9
Minarets 8
Sweet 8
Lie in Our Graves 7
Satellite 7
Crash into Me 5
Pay for What You Get 5
Take Me to Tomorrow 5
Grace Is Gone 4
Rhyme & Reason 4
Slip Slidin' Away 4
Oh 3
Beach Ball 2
Dancing Nancies 2
Little Red Bird 2
Sister 2
Stay (Wasting Time) 2
A Whiter Shade of Pale 1
Christmas Song 1
Crush 1
Funny the Way It Is 1
Good Good Time 1
Loving Wings 1
Rye Whiskey 1
Save Me 1
Stay or Leave 1
Typical Situation 1

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

Even further to that point, of those 38, 15 have played only once or twice. With that taken into consideration, the variation is far worse.

[SpotlightEyes]

Originally Posted by DaveJR

We are spoiled. We need something to bitch at, and for some reason song variety and The Dave Matthews BAND's passion is being called into question. Hmmmm

No to the thread question.

Clearly you understand nothing.

"mailing it in" occurs when you do what is relatively EASY for you to do, to achieve average completion. They could instead fill up the time with music that is much more challenging for them, and entertaining for us, but they choose the easy route.

THAT is mailing it in.

[SpotlightEyes]

Originally Posted by fallcityfan

I have only seen one concert so far this year (the Yahoo one) and it looked like they were all working hard to put on a good show. Now some may not like the song choices and I certainly get this, but I don't think it's a matter of laziness or disinterest. But, as at the poll asks, that's just my opinion.

You didn't understand the question then, as no where in the subject or OP does it ask you whether or not the band tries hard and plays well on the songs they play.

That has nothing to do with 'mailing it in'.

[davem#36]

Yea. I talked to Michael smith and jamele hill and they both said to just look at the stats, NUMBERS NEVER LIE.

[SpotlightEyes]

Originally Posted by mavonw

100 songs across 30 shows can be considered mailing it in? hm.

Love it when people make these posts and pretend like it doesn't matter that half of that number has been played once or twice, while a select few have been played at almost every show.

HMMM.

[davem#36]

Originally Posted by crashintonickdm

Many of them with under 3-5 plays. Hm

Exactly if everyone song had been played 6-10 times this tour would of been drastically different.

[Seek#41Up]

Originally Posted by gocubsgo3822

nope 2005 better. They at least had an excuse to suck then

That is an interesting way to justify a horrible opinion. Played 61 unique songs that year and heavy Stand Up which has zero redeeming qualities.

[BotheLaneFan]

They're not mailing it in, but they're also not giving it their all. Certainly not on auto-pilot but they're also not mashing on the pedal and pushing it to the danger zone.

[fallcityfan]

Originally Posted by SpotlightEyes

You didn't understand the question then, as no where in the subject or OP does it ask you whether or not the band tries hard and plays well on the songs they play.

That has nothing to do with 'mailing it in'.

I think that "mailing it in" is just going through the motions and showing up without any heart whatsoever. I've been to a lot of non-DMB concerts and I've seen performances mailed in before. In my opinion, Dave plays with heart and conviction. Maybe it's because he plays only what he wants, who knows. I stand by my opinion. And please note, I'm not saying that I would be happy to attend some of these shows. I've watched the set lists go from hopefully great to flat-out boring along with everyone else here. I just don't think lack of heart is the problem. Once again, my opinion, just as valid as yours or anyone else's.

[gocubsgo3822]

if you are promoting an aalbum that just came out you get a pass for playing awful sets.

To just play awful shows with no reason behind it is real lazy.

[tolley]

It could be a lot worse. I saw Kiss and Def Leppard last night, which was a great time! I decided to check and see what songs they've been playing, and found out that Def Leppard has been playing the same set list with no variation at all the entire tour. Kiss has pretty much done the same set, but they've altered it slightly a couple of times.

[barbogast]

Originally Posted by Seek#41Up

That is an interesting way to justify a horrible opinion. Played 61 unique songs that year and heavy Stand Up which has zero redeeming qualities.

2005 was Stand Up's album tour of course it was Stand Up heavy