I hit DMB burnout at the time of this album's release and never really gave it multiple or close listens until the past few weeks. I love it now- But I still rank it 6th.
DMB Album Rankings:
Before These Crowded Streets- Perfection
The Lillywhite Sessions- Ahh- LimeWire. Got the proper mix years later and a copy lives in my car. But the songs that didn't make it BS are still some of my favorites. See username.
Table/Crash - tossup between these 2. Crash might technically be a tad better, but the songs on Table are still so strong.
Busted Stuff- KKJ got massacred on this record. Boo. Other than that- I got married right before this came out & it will always be a sentimental favorite. Plus, it was nice to get official versions of LWS before the better mix came out. The 2 new songs on it still kickass and The Gorge box will always be a special part of this era as well.
Away From The World- Love driving to this album or smoking a joint for a listen. The vibe is definitely "New Classic". I'd love to hear the mixes Dave preferred. I'd love more LT 2012-2013 releases, no bullshit. Beginning with The Riff, the 2nd half of the album really hits its' stride & helps me zone out. The soundscapes are reminiscent of the Big 3. Brilliant tones on this album.
Big Whiskey/Little Red Bird EP- Return to Form in regard to studio output. This album could've been an awesome Double LP. So much live output from this period is probably what led me to being burnt I think? I actually felt like the time between this album and AFTW was too short! Tim helps bring the Mojo back to the studio and straight up co-owns this album. As someone who's also into some Guitar driven rock, this album scratches that itch. Lying In The Hands Of God has always been my favorite song on it, but the run from Spaceman until the end is amazing. It's a great tribute to LeRoi and the Album Blanket hangs in my music room.
Batson Sessions (mix I made featuring 21 songs that actually plays like a "classic double" album (82 minutes). It has a nice flow and I included the 5 songs released elsewhere) Thanks to this, I no longer despise Batson's involvement with DMB, lol.
1.There Are Ghosts
2.Kill The King
3.Bullets And Rum
4.Idea Of You
5.Break Free
6.Red Glare
7.Early Home
8.#27
9.Corn Bread
10.Situation
11.Fonz
12.Ask
13.Shotgun
14.Come On
15.Blackjack
16.Drive Me Away
17.Sister
18.Celebrate
19.Can't Stop
20.Break For It
21.Scream Into The Grave
I know these are rough sketches and basically unfinished but there's a pleasant flow to this mix. Maybe it's just a case of "The Lillywhite Sessions Deja Vu" ?
I do quite enjoy this mix. And to be completely frank, I'm trying to save the true Deja Vu vibes in case the original AFTW mixes ever leak. Break For It has become one of my favorite songs thanks to Live 25 and I'm glad there's a studio recording. I do still loathe those trademark Batson drum machines on some of these. Which is why I mixed it down. You have Carter frickin' Beauford. Now that Neil Peart's retired, he is the single greatest drummer on the planet.
Come Tomorrow - Eclectic, adventurous mix, & the good stuff here really does shine the more I listen to it. IE- Do You Remember, That Girl Is You, She, Virginia In The Rain. Still think some other songs should've made it on here- Bismarck? Kill The King? Blackjack? Maybe next time? But this album will always be the one where we lost Boyd.
Remember Two Things - Interesting mix but not one I return to that often. Special occasions & throwback listening.
Everyday- love these songs live- especially on Folsom Field but the album's just too glossy and is more like a Dave Solo album. Carter even said that in the Rolling Stone article at the time. But in the right mood, this album sounds great for what it is - Mainstream Radio DMB. I used to hear Space Between being played at every mall & Starbuck's I visited between 2001-2003. But, it does have a really great flow to it and Dave knocked these songs out with the quickness. But seriously- how weird was it seeing him with an electric guitar at first?
Stand Up- What the actual fuck? I don't understand the recording methods employed or why some of the best songs from this period were abandoned altogether. Joy Ride was put as a lead b-side and bumped in favor of other songs? Seriously?? As with Everyday, I prefer the live stuff all the way. Weekend On The Rocks & LT 25 in particular. Unlike Everday, this album doesn't really have a flow, it feels like it's just thrown together haphazardly. 2004 was a glorious live year and the hype for the material was high. Then this album being the end result just compounded the frustration at the time. I honestly thought they were done as a studio band at this point. BW redeemed that in a big way.
Some Devil ranks right with BW really. But I wanted to keep the band stuff separate. Best thing about DMB & Dave & Tim is some of the mixes on the live stuff is so damn good that shows can actually sub for albums, depending on my moods.