I bumped into the Dave Matthews Band while watching VH-1. It was a track from their album "Crash" and it is one of the few times I have ever gone out and bought an album from the experience of hearing a single track. For this reason I was excited to see the video for "The Space Between" and have just purchased "Everyday" on the strength of hearing that single, and prior excellent experience with this band.
The reasons that I like this band are manyfold. Their art is finely crafted; the band is tightly together, the drummer offers complex rhythms, the lyrics are poetic and sung with emotion. The experience of listening to some of these tracks is an admiration for a band interested in craft, rather than popularity. They are not afraid of changing key, tempo, rhythm or experimenting with sound, noise or melody.
I don't think this album is as good as "Crash" - but not by much. It certainly is different. The mood is less raw and confrontational but speaks of loss and reflectiveness. As such I have found myself completely intoxicated with it when I am feeling reflective, or a touch moody. It is an album for listening to alone driving in the rain, or on headphones in the dark.
If art is measured in the depth and breadth of emotion communicated through the medium, in combination with the skill required to create it, then "Everyday" has to rate as the highest of artistic creations. Buy it, but only to enjoy in guiltless solitude. If you try to listen to this album like a popular music record in the background, then you simply will not get what "Crash" could offer you.
Tell you what - buy both. You will not be disappointed.