Despite tensions over the unreleased "Lillywhite Sessions," Dave Matthews has decided to embrace the album. The band had already dubbed the ill-fated recording session as their best, most natural work yet, and they were performing many of the songs on tour in 2001. They just wanted to release it on their own terms.
That's exactly what "Busted Stuff" is. They picked nine of the best songs from the sessions, reworked some of them a bit, re-recorded the tunes with producer Stephen Harris and added two new songs. The result is a polished, well-edited album of Dave's most mellow, moody pieces yet.
"Busted Stuff" is good for what it is — slow, dark and searching tunes that complete each other once heard all together. But the album also loses some of Dave's edginess and musical passion he does so well on this other albums. Lyrics seem to be more important this time around.
Title track "Busted Stuff" and popular tour number "Grey Street" run into each other and are almost forgettable. But the album does get better from there.
New tunes "Where Are You Going" and "You Never Know" add a more upbeat element to the otherwise reflective tone of the album.
"Captain" stands out as one of the most unique, original songs on the record, with a sad mellow jazz groove. "Big Eyed Fish" is also a gem, with a memorable, catchy riff reminiscent of Dave's earlier compositions.
Many of the songs ask questions of God. In "Bartender," Dave sits at a heavenly bar and begs the deity on duty to fill his glass "with the wine you gave Jesus that set him free."
The album provides a different perspective, but not necessarily a better one. It is a little too predictable musically, but moving lyrically.