A band that’s been the butt of many jokes. A band I wouldn’t see live, as their jams feel too self indulgent for me. And a band I stopped listening to once they dropped Steve Lillywhite and a whole album for a horrible overproduced bore-off.

Even still, I’m a dedicated fan of two Dave Matthews Band albums. Both came out during a special time and although one contains a song worthy of ridicule (thanks, Community), those two albums have the band at their most earnest.

Pay for what you get, dancing nancies, crash, warehouse, satellite. All great songs that sent me exactly to that wonderful world of late 96 and early 97.

Of all those songs, it’s Two Step where it’s at. A hypnotic instrumentation star-crossed by  a mournful wailing pierce through during the first minute of the song. It’s a pacey romp with a playful bass line that feels cathartic. Simply a perfect autumn song.

-Sam J Valdés López