Today is a big day for the Dave Matthews Band with the release of their latest album, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that this their best release in over 10 years, since 1998’s Before These Crowded Streets, and there are tons of others who would quickly agree. That’s not to say that there haven’t been some good songs on the last three releases, but overall the entire albums were far below the quality of the original three albums put out by the band: the previously mentioned along with Crash and Under the Table and Dreaming. I’m curious to see how this album holds up to the test of time, but I’m thinking that it could easily rise to be one of the highest regarded releases of their career.

Earlier, I mentioned really like the radio friendly single “Funny the Way It Is.” But beyond that track I’m finding it hard to say that any of the songs are bad. I especially enjoy the big energy track “Shake Me Like a Monkey” along with “Why I Am” which has already grown into a fan favorite live song. Some other standouts from the overall superb list are “Time Bomb” and “Squirm” to name just a few. Another positive is that this could be some of the best material from standout drummer Carter Beauford and bassist Stefan Lessard.

Last night the band played a near three hour show which was broadcast on the Fuse TV channel along with online with Hulu. If you missed it, fortunately the entire performance has been archived online at Hulu. Not only was one of my college roommates actually at the show, he met Dave himself prior to the show starting. As he said via a text message, his life is now complete. I know I’m not alone when I say this; I am super jealous of you, Ryan Fightmaster.