There’s albums and songs that bring back memories from one’s childhood. That’s the beautiful thing about music: one lyric, one note, or one riff can take someone back in time. The album I am reviewing has that effect on me, cutting into parts of the past I thought I forgot. 

“Before These Crowded Streets” is the third studio album by influential and hit American rock band Dave Matthews Band. Released in 1997, the album was a shift in the band’s original theme, having much darker themes and complicated musical arrangements. The album challenges difficult subjects such as war and the slaughter of Indigenous people. The band brought in features who went on to have very successful solo journeys, such as Bela Fleck and Alanis Morissette. 

The feedback was very positive; the album reached number one on the billboard 200, knocking the soundtrack to Titanic off the top spot. A large part in this was the creativity and instrumental quality of the record. Critics called the album a big improvement and showed the band’s development as musicians and songwriters. Many people loved the inclusion of musical guests which broadened the musical variety and still kept the sound unique to themselves. 

This record I connect with very personally; it is one of the most recognizable albums from my childhood. It’s one my parents would play in the car, before dinner, and when I was running around the house with magna-tiles. The riffs on this record are so recognizable and each one takes me up to nine years back. When I was so young, I couldn’t fully appreciate or understand the genius of the album and all the small components that make it so magical to listen to. I always think of this album very highly and it is definitely in my top 10 albums I’ve ever listened to. 

My personal favorite song(s): Don’t Drink the Water, Spoon.

My least favorite song: Halloween 

Similar to: Gin Blossoms, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Bela Fleck

Album rating: 9.8/10

Ranking: Phenomenal