Dave Matthews writes simple songs. In his head there are repeating chords, basic drumbeats, and horns and string sections that either echo his voice or help build tension between verses. With the release of Some Devil, his songs are stripped to their purest forms.
Playing without his regular band members to add spice, the record broods in the collective genius of the songwriting and guitar playing. From the repetitious "So Damn Lucky" to the slightly more complex "Dodo," Matthews seems content playing the same few notes over and over. Listeners are allowed to focus on lyrics and the breathtaking way that his voice is sometimes used as an additional instrument.
It is fraudulent to say that the CD is a solo effort. One track, "Grey Blue Eyes," is co-written with Trey Anastasio of Phish, who plays guitar and even piano on several more tracks. Longtime friend Tim Reynolds also provides some work on many different instruments. Despite the many layers, every song is straight from the brain of Matthews, who envisions and then enacts everything as he feels it should be.
Lyrically, the disc follows the trend of Matthews' previous work: happy messages of love or friendship. The best work on the album is "Stay or Leave," a heartfelt piece written in the moment when the important female departs, and the male who misses her already remembers various snippets of their relationship. The song debuted live last March on Matthews' acoustic tour with Tim Reynolds, and the song adds a percussive track that is vocally imitated with chilling effects.
The only song that does not fit in to that lyrical mold is the single, "Gravedigger," which appears twice, once with layers and once acoustically. The images are of inconsequential characters through history whose lives had not that special ring, as Matthews ponders his own mortality. Intensity builds as names and dates are rattled off, exploding with the final question posed toward an ephemeral and uncompromising listener.
Some of the best vocal work comes in the reworked "An Another Thing," from an older song referred to as "Little Thing." The lyrics are unintelligible at times (of course, he's Dave Matthews). The interplay with the simple guitar work and floating feel give the tune new life. Similarly, the lyrics of "Baby" are slightly less important than the way the voice accompanies the guitar.
The true genius of the songwriting is best exemplified in "So Damn Lucky." Musically, the song is very simple. The verses consist of just two parts, and the chorus uses the same chords that are used in many other songs. However, the arrangement builds on the harmony between the chords and the sound of the voice, one going down and the other up. The hook is both energizing, powerful and in the end, catchy.
Unfortunately, Matthews' music can no longer be viewed on its own. It will always be taken with the preconception of what may or may not be "cool" at the time, and the fan base is almost more important than the actual music. There will be very few new fans that have disliked the full band work but will accept this offering.
Also, this album is not for every fan of the band. The success of the Dave Matthews Band is based on several different things, especially the niche between many different music styles. With Some Devil, Matthews is offering his own thoughts and perspectives. There are no pop songs or windy jams or explosive solos. There is just Dave, plotting quietly in the corner, stripping himself down and offering all he has to offer.
