Dispatch Album: “Gut the Van”

There is no band that puts more energy into live shows. I personally am not a fan of live cds, somehow I don't feel like they are true to capturing the liveliness and energy and fun of a live show. But Dispatch's three members' amazing, interesting and distinct personalities still manage to shine through on this cd. If you are a Dispatch fan, don't think twice about picking this up. If you are just catching on to the Dispatch tidal wave that is taking this country's college and high school scene by storm, then I suggest looking into BANG BANG or WHO ARE WE LIVING FOR? prior to buying this disk. That being said, nothing surpasses a live Dispatch show. I just came back from the 11/17/01 show at the Orpheum, and Dispatch fans delight, they are making a DVD out of the two nights at the Orpheum. This will truly capture the eurphoria that is Dispatch.

I can't believe I never heard of Dispatch until I heard them on Internet radio several months ago. After hearing the version of "The General" from this disc, I bought this album on my way home from work that night. "The General" is a great song to get people into the band, but only scratches the surface of this diversely-talented band. I still listen to this, and my other Dispatch albums, on a nearly-daily basis.

You can hear shades of many different influences in the music, from the Native African language intro of "Elias" to the reggae influences to jam rock, to what almost sounds like a "Dave Matthews/Tim Reyonlds" collaboration, to some pretty hard rock...it's all here. "Open Up" and "The General" are two of my favorite reggae-tinged songs here. "Time Served" and "Even" are great rock tracks, along with "Bats in the Belfry." "Questioned Apocolypse" and "Flying Horses" are great songs that showcase the acoustic abilities of Dispatch.

Honestly, I could go on for days about what is great about this album, but alas, I'm only limited to 1000 words, so the best suggestion I can make is: pick up this album for yourself and see what I'm talking about!

By the way, the "Under the Radar" DVD (comes with the 7-track "Patchwork" CD) contains some superb alternate live versions of most of the songs on this album, and allows late-comers like myself to see what this band is like live, just in case we can't make it to Boston to see their final show this summer.

I bought this CD not really knowing what I was buying. A friend of mine played a song or 2 for me and it stuck in my head. Now that I have it I cannot eject it from my CD player. I LOVE it. I have always been a fan of live music. And this is one of the best I've heard. Another friend who I played it for said it sounded like a mix between Dave Matthews Band and 311 w/a hint of funk in certain songs. It is definitely relaxing but upbeat music. I am in love. Plus it reminds me a bit of Boston and the music scene up there (now that I'm in FL). Some especially good songs on the album are Open Up, Flying Horses, Bullet Holes, and Railway. One last comment how can you beat getting over 2hrs of music for [the moeny] It's a great deal on an AMAZING CD.

Amazing, truly amazing are the only words that come to mind when i think about this new Dispatch CD. Dispatch being known more for theire AMAZING live shows, imangine all the classic dispatch songs, live on two cd's! With songs like Bang Bang, railway, The General, cut it ya match it, flying horses, open up, bats in the belfry! the list goes on! the cd makes you feel like you're at the show with them. i cant put into words how much i love this cd or the band! A must buy for true Dispatch fans!!!

This is a good jam album. I don't think that the sound quality is that great, but the songs and the music itself makes up for that. If you listen to it real loud it sounds like you're actually at the concert. A few of the songs were recorded in Rhode Island at good old Lupos. If you like dispatch this is a must buy because it is a good collection of their music.