Some Devil

Review

Common Sense Media says

Cheer up, Dave!
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there's a lot of dark musing and poetic angst on display here. Sensitive artist types will love it.

  • Positive messages0
    If your teenager needs whining lessons, call Dave!
  • Violence0
    "Gravedigger" references death, though it's not clear if violence is involved.
  • Sex0
    Everyone on this CD seems too depressed to be thinking about sex.
  • Language0
    Language is tame; poetic imagery is dark and creepy at times.
  • Consumerism0
    Well, there was that AOL event, promoted for weeks when the CD was released...but the CD itself doesn't seem to want to participate.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    No drugs or alcohol references of note.
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What's the story?

Dave Matthews' SOME DEVIL album features intelligent poetry and well-performed whining. Matthews uses his amazing vocal range effectively and dramatically, but he seems like a pretty miserable guy. The lyrics deliver a bit of poetry and a lot of angst: "Gravedigger, when you dig my grave/can you make it shallow/so that I can see the rain," and "I love you oh so well/Like a kid loves candy and fresh snow/I love you oh so well/Enough to fill up heaven overflow and fill hell."

Is it any good?

 

Sensitive types will no doubt appreciate Matthews' angst-filled lyrics. But for the others of us, there are some lovely moments. "Stay or Leave" is a well-constructed and beautifully arranged song. "Save Me" has real energy and offers one of the shining moments on the CD. But mostly, the songs are rambling and whiny, and don't do justice to the talents of the singer.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about what emotions the songs are intended to spark. How does this music make you feel? Why? How do you think the musicians felt when they wrote/recorded it?

This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
 
A great album with a minimum of whining
This is an excellent album by one of my favorite performers. Although not as good as his other albums, (Under the Table and Dreaming, Before These Crowded Streets, ect.) this album is worth purchacing if you are a true fan.
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Teen, 16 years old
February 20, 2011
AGE
10
 
Dave is love! He has really deep, and much more meaningful messages than the current artists. Sure, he wines a bit, but what artists dont?! It is true art, and I would recommended it to any dave fan.
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Helped me decide (2) | Had useful details (1) | Read my mind (3)
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This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Artist:Dave Matthews Band
Release date:October 8, 2003
Label:RCA
Genre:Rock
Parental advisory:No
This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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