Today is the inaugural Super Wednesday!
The above quote is from a DC Talk song I used to listen to in the car with my family. It is the title track from their album Nu Thang, which my family collectively owns on cassette, CD, and in the digital medium. The album cover is basically the epitome of the era in which it was recorded. Just take a look:
As funny as it is to reminisce the wonders of the ’90s, I fully believe the lyrics of the song still ring true today.
Like an MC, I’m here to boast
I rap about Christ, yo here’s a dose
So loud and proud of the God I serve
Try to say He ain’t wit it…huh, ya got nerve
Christ is the reason for dc Talk
He’s the focus of our daily walk, y’all
Without him, we ain’t nothin’ but names
But through God, we’re doin’ brand nu thangs
Lately, I have been seeing God doing a “nu thang” in my life, and it really is incredible. I have seen that the moment you choose to die to yourself, it allows God to show His presence in your life. For years I have prayed to God and sacrificed my time to do volunteer work and other things, but have failed to really dig into His words in the Bible and listen for His voice there. I never just stopped and listened. But through several experiences, He has drawn me to just take those moments daily to spend with Him. When you start sacrificing your time to spend those moments with Him, you will only then realize how important and vastly worthwhile it is to spend that quality time with your Heavenly Father. Then He will start to do a new thing in you.
Not to say that I have it all mastered. I still fail, and although I know I will never reach perfection, for His glory I will strive for it. It truly takes discipline and courage to say “No” to the things the world has to offer. But as a close friend put it so clearly this morning in prayer, “The pleasures and longings of this world will pass, but Your promises and righteous judgement will last for eternity.”
Let the things that are eternal be what we strive for, and today humble yourself to allow God to do a “nu thang” in your life.
I purchased Dave Matthews Band’s Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King about a year ago during a liquidation sale at my local Borders bookstore. I was actually lucky enough to snag the deluxe CD/DVD edition for half price—Although with music like this, I would have gladly paid full price. In all honesty, I would be hard pressed to find something I don’t like about this record.
Big Whiskey has thirteen songs, each very effectively capturing the “vibe” of DMB’s energetic live performances.
1. “Grux” - 8/10
A saxophone solo in honor of LeRoi Moore, one of the founding members of the band, who passed away during the time this album was recorded. The track is only just over a minute long, but the amount of soul conveyed in that short bit of improvised music is incredible to hear.
2. “Shake Me Like a Monkey” - 9/10
I laughed out loud when I first read the title of this one. It begins with a bang and keeps on rocking ‘til the end. The horns throughout the song are really fun and are something that can get even a white guy like me grooving. I actually have a hard time not moving when I hear this song. THAT is how music should be!
3. “Funny the Way It Is” - 9/10
The lyrics and melody of this song are great. The whole idea behind this one is very unique and thought-provoking. This is the song that gets stuck in my head the most, which is probably why it was released as a single. Drums and violin are my favorite parts of the instrumentation.
4. “Lying in the Hands of God” - 8/10
This song really grew on me. The mellow guitars really make it. It’s the type of song that allows you to just close your eyes and get your mind of things.
5. “Why I Am” - 8/10
The first thing you’ll notice about this song is that it definitely has an awesome hook. The electric guitar riff throughout the song is the most memorable part of the song to me. The guitar solo is sweet as well! In the song, Dave sings, “That’s why I am still here dancin’ with the GrooGrux King” and later on sings about “Big Whiskey”, both of which became a part of the album’s title. Dave makes reference to his song “Big Eyed Fish” in the lyric “That’s why I am unlikely to agree, climbing outta my monkey tree.”
6. “Dive In” -9/10
NOTHING beats the percussion on this song. It’s just fantastic. The whole song is just awesome. Need I say more?
7. “Spaceman” - 8/10
This tune is one of those that I love, but probably wouldn’t bother to put on repeat. The instrumentation is great as always, and I love the way it was mixed. The banjo riff at the end is pretty great as well! The chorus gets stuck in my head pretty easily.
8. “Squirm” - 7/10
This is by far the creepiest song on the record, though I really enjoy it. It’s got a very unique rhythm on the chorus and I love the eerie feel throughout the song. It gets very big toward the end, and shows off their dynamics well.
9. “Alligator Pie” - 10/10
My absolute favorite track on the album. Got a very New Orleans-y feel. The song is upbeat and fun, and the tempo is fast as Dave scats through the chorus. Then it suddenly takes a turn when the song drops tempo to about half speed. The tempo builds back up, then drops again right before the end of the song.
10. “Seven” - 9/10
I love Seven. First of all, the song is counted mostly in the 7/8 time signature, which is where it gets its title. The fast delay guitar on the verse balances the slow vocals until the chorus comes in with a really catchy hook that makes you want to tap your foot, but then you get confused because it’s difficult to tap your foot in 7/8.
11. “Time Bomb” -8/10
I actually didn’t very much care for this track when I first heard it, but recently I gave it another chance and really have grown to like it. The song transitions into a driving feel toward the end, in contrast to the much softer beginning.
12. “Baby Blue” - 9/10
This is another of my favorites on the album. The lyrics are beautiful, as is the piece Dave plays on the guitar. The strings in the background fill up the empty spaces in the song and add a lot to the overall sound.
13. “You & Me” - 9/10
This track is one of the slower tracks, yet the melody and lyrics make me want to listen to it over and over again. I don’t really have anything else to say about this one. The music isn’t incredibly intricate, but you can tell there’s a lot of meaning behind it. I like the instrumentals toward the end a lot!
In conclusion, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King” is definitely more than just a record worth checking out. Dave Matthews Band really cuts through the noise of the industry, and focuses on making creative, unique, and meaningful music with some brilliant musicianship. Their ability to gel as a band, as well as the energy they express through their music is what has taken them this far, and I believe it will take them much further as well. This goes down as one of my top five records of all time.
I actually really wish they went with this album cover… Oh well! It’s really about the music, and it is AWESOME!
