by John Hoty

Created on: February 23, 2008

The unrelenting musical powerhouse that is the Dave Matthews Band deserves a place on every serious music lovers top 10 list of all-time greatest bands. Renown for their jaw-dropping live shows and Mr. Matthews' poetic lyrics and homespun rhythms, this dynamic quintet has delivered on every studio album they've ever cut, as well as broken records for the most diverse collection of live albums sold worldwide. If you're not familiar with the band's legendary beginnings and now Godlike status, here is a rundown of their unparalleled contributions to the music world...

UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING: the DMB's first major studio album exploded onto the music scene in 1994 and introduced a fresh amalgam of sounds and lyrics to an unsuspecting (yet totally grateful) public. Caked with original ditties like "Ants Marching," "Satellite," Jimi Thing," and "Warehouse," this highly energetic collection of tunes will engage any first-time listener from the get-go. Stand out songs: "Warehouse" is a frenetic jamboree of everything the band does right together and the seductive power of "Lover Lay Down" is indelibly enchanting.

CRASH: this brilliant follow-up climbed the album charts with a vengeance upon its release. Just when we thought we'd heard everything and anything this awesome jam band could do... "Crash" unlocked a whole other side to Mr. Matthews' songwriting prowess and the bands' inspired tendering of all things sublimely blended. This mesmerizing dish of uppity jams, social statements and soft lullabyes is arguably the finest studio album the DMB has yet to release. Stand out songs: "Two Step" is a bold movement of 5 distinctly different sounds (guitar, violin, drums, bass and saxophone) that prove a marriage made in Heaven; the title track, "Crash Into Me," is clearly one of the most romantic songs ever written; and "Say Goodbye" offers one of the most openly honest pleas in all of music - just divine.

BEFORE THESE CROWDED STREETS: far and away the band's most diverse album so far, this unpredictable romp serves everything Matthews and his 4 companions do so well - write and record incredible music. Ranging in variety, theme and mood with every tune, Before These Crowded Streets strikes out with brutal honesty on such topics as love, lust, religion and revenge; all with Matthews' trademark poetics that transcend anything contemporary pop music has ever put out. Stand out songs: "Don't Drink the Water" preaches a bittersweet history lesson (punctuated by background

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