Under the Table and Dreaming
,
the Dave Matthews Band
's first major-label album, was their popular breakthrough, bringing their mildly eclectic sound to a mass audience. Although the group appeals to the same audience as
Blues Traveler
Hootie & the Blowfish
, and
the Spin Doctors
has more influences than their peers. Fusing together
folk-rock
worldbeat
jazz
pop
, the band is arguably the most musically adept of all their contemporaries. However, they have trouble coming up with engaging hooks, as their third album,
Crash
, proves. Although the band continues to get better -- their musical cross-breeding is effortless and seamless -- they often don't have an attractive frame for their skills. Strangely, the lack of memorable melodies doesn't particularly hurt the album -- it actually emphasizes the band's instrumental talents. Nevertheless, since there's a lack of strong
hooks,
is an album that will please fans, but not novices. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine