Detroit Free Press
The Dave Matthews Band lost one of its founding members last August when saxophonist LeRoi Moore died of injuries he suffered in an ATV accident, lending special gravity to DMB's new album "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King" (***, out June 2 on RCA). A haunting solo from Moore ("Grux") opens the album, leading into the funky, Prince-influenced "Shake Me Like a Monkey."
Although much of "Big Whiskey" sounds like typical DMB fare -- brash, feel-good, stadium-rock anthems impeccably played -- there are undercurrents of more serious themes, especially the life-and-death scenarios described on "Funny The Way It Is." Also poignant is "Why I Am," where Matthews remembers his friend Moore, a.k.a. the GrooGrux King, with great emotion.
The Dave Matthews Band plays at DTE Energy Music Theatre on July 28.
Rating: 3 out of 4 Stars
