Dave Matthews Band’s latest project strikes the perfect balance between passion and talent. In the midst of its making, in August last year, the band’s saxophonist and founding member LeRoi “GrooGrux” Moore died, and Big Whiskey…, quite big on riffs, arrangements, melodies and emotions, has turned into a fitting goodbye to one of the most respected musicians.

What Dave Matthews has done with this album is he’s gone that extra mile, as if he has a point to prove. The band sounds edgier, heavier (for its standards) and younger. The groovy riffs of Shake me like a monkey and Why I am are almost reminiscent of, albeit a little stronger than, their initial sound before they decided to go down the path of mediocrity with Busted Stuff (2002) and Stand Up (2005). The album begins with Grux, one of the many dazzling saxophone solos recorded by Moore, and the very first note hits you hard. Not to forget the efforts of Jeff Coffin, who fits into LeRoi’s boots almost perfectly. His sound is different, yet it doesn’t take away the essence of the band’s music. 

Funny the way it is is definitely the standout song. Its in-your-face lyrics, hooky chorus, melodic bridges and big arrangements make it one of the best songs ever written by Matthews. It has starvation taking on triumph and death fighting joy. It is not hard to see the rekindled fervour in the band, as though LeRoi’s death had made them see and respect life. The chord patterns are awe-inspiring but the heart, poignant. The GrooGrux King is dead, but DMB have brought him back to life.