Stand Up (Dave Matthews Band album)

Stand Up
Studio album by
Released May 10, 2005
Studio Haunted Hollow (Charlottesville)
Genre
Length 56:24
Label RCA
Producer Mark Batson
Dave Matthews Band chronology
The Gorge
(2004)
Stand Up
(2005)
Weekend on the Rocks
(2005)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source Rating
Metacritic 63/100
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic
Blender
Entertainment Weekly A−
Los Angeles Times
Rolling Stone
USA Today

Stand Up is the sixth studio album by Dave Matthews Band. It was released on May 10, 2005 through RCA Records. The album was primarily recorded at Haunted Hollow Studio in Charlottesville, Virginia and was the band's first album to be produced by Mark Batson. it is the band's last album to feature full participation from saxophonist LeRoi Moore before his death in 2008.

Stand Up was a commercial success, becoming the band's fourth consecutive album to reach number one on the Billboard 200. Four songs from the album—"American Baby", "Dreamgirl", "Everybody Wake Up (Our Finest Hour Arrives)", and "Smooth Rider"—were released as promotional singles, with the former becoming their highest-charting song, peaking at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Critical reception was positive, with many praising the band's ability to update its sound with elements of soul and funk.

Background

In late 2004, Dave Matthews Band returned to their studio in Charlottesville, Virginia. Having decided they wanted to take some chances and pursue a funkier side to their music, A&R Bruce Flohr had tracked down a new producer in Mark Batson. According to Flohr in an interview with HitQuarters, "When the band and him got together it was instant creative karma. Things took off like a bat out of hell."

Release and promotion

Prior to the album's release, Dave Matthews Band published a website showcasing video clips from the production of the album with commentary by producer Mark Batson. Additionally, VH1 streamed the album in its entirety before the official release.

The album was in CD format, DualDisc format (one side CD, one side DVD-Video), and as a digital download from the band's website or iTunes Music Store.

Track listing

All songs by Dave Matthews Band and Mark Batson, except "Hello Again" by Dave Matthews Band.

Stand Up
No. Title Length
1. "Dreamgirl" 4:01
2. "Old Dirt Hill (Bring That Beat Back)" 5:00
3. "Stand Up (For It)" 4:13
4. "American Baby Intro" 2:03
5. "American Baby" 4:35
6. "Smooth Rider" 2:17
7. "Everybody Wake Up (Our Finest Hour Arrives)" 4:17
8. "Out of My Hands" 3:41
9. "Hello Again" 3:56
10. "Louisiana Bayou" 5:36
11. "Stolen Away on 55th & 3rd" 4:17
12. "You Might Die Trying" 4:44
13. "Steady as We Go" 3:22
14. "Hunger for the Great Light" 4:20
Total length: 56:24

Personnel

Dave Matthews Band

Additional musicians

  • Mark Batson – piano (1, 2, 4, 6, 13), organ (5, 6, 10, 12, 13), keyboards (1, 3), Moog synthesizer (5, 14), Fender Rhodes piano (2), Mellotron (7), vocals (7), percussion (7), clavinet (10), synthesizers (11), Wurlitzer organ (12), string arrangements and conducting (1, 2, 7, 14)
  • Ann Marie Calhoun – violin (1, 2, 7, 14)
  • Sue Dench – viola (4)
  • Lee Grove – additional percussion (1)
  • Jennifer Myer – viola (1, 2, 7, 14)
  • Leo Payne – violin (4)
  • Audrey Riley – cello (1, 2, 4, 7, 14), string arrangements (4)
  • Mira Stone – violin (1, 2, 7, 14)
  • Butch Taylor – piano (1, 2), Fender Rhodes piano (7, 11), Wurlitzer electric piano (2, 10), organ (7, 9, 14), keyboards (1), background vocals (12, 14)

Technical personnel

  • Mark Batson – producer, engineer (1-8, 10-14)
  • Danny Clinch – photography
  • Alex Dromgal – mixing assistant (1, 3, 10, 13)
  • Dave Emery  – mixing assistant (1, 3, 10, 13)
  • Rob Evans – assistant engineer (2-4, 6-14), engineer (1, 5)
  • Aaron Fessel – engineer (4)
  • Brian Gardner – mastering
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14)
  • Lee Grove – additional programming (1, 3, 10, 13)
  • John Hanes – additional ProTools engineer
  • Wyndsor Taggart Hug – art direction, design
  • Thane Kerner – art direction, design
  • Chris Kress – engineer
  • Brian Malouf – additional pre-production
  • Kevin Mahoney – assistant mixing 5, 6, 11, 12, 14)
  • Tim Roberts – mixing assistant (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14)
  • Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (1, 3, 10, 13)

Charts