Matchbox Twenty - I don’t know if they’re doing the capitalized “m” and “t” now, or if they’re still insisting on leaving them lower-case - will release their first new material in just shy of five years on Tuesday, October 2. If the current single from Exile on Mainstream, “How Far We’ve Come,” is any indication of whether they’re well remembered, they might be looking at a major success. The single is doing quite well on the Adult 40 and Hot 100 charts. It’s doing well, for Matchbox Twenty standards, anyway.
But just how far have they come? In the past five years they’ve lost a guitarist (Adam Gaynor left in 2005), they’ve had small side projects, and one very successful solo career. Rob Thomas’s ...Something to Be debuted at the top spot of the Billboard albums chart in 2005. But the current musical landscape is almost unrecognizable to this band that first broke eleven years ago. I have to wonder if they’ll be relevant now. Well, obviously, they aren’t concerned about that.
Exile on Mainstream is a retrospective album. It includes six new tracks and they sneaked a greatest hits album, of sorts, into the package, with all eleven of their previous singles rounding out the track list.
Of the new songs, the album opener is definitely the strongest. “How Far We’ve Come” is a catchy, toe-tapper of a tune about looking back from the end of the world. Paired with the music video depicting important historical moments, it’s probably as relevant as they get. But, “Can’t Let You Go,” the last of the new tracks, is what Matchbox does best. It’s a sweet, mid-to-slow-tempo love song. The other four tracks are quirky mid-tempo numbers. They’re good songs, but kind of forgettable. The distinctive Matchbox sound is there. The musicianship is as good as ever, and the songs are well produced and well written, but there are still only six new songs. Six songs does not an album make.
Article comments
1 - Bob
As a long time Matchbox fan I am happy to have any new music from them. After having heard the new tracks and reading that these songs are a collaborative effort compared to being solely Rob Thomas's songwriting, I can see why Rob has earned the respect of the songwriting community. He's simply a much better songwriter than his bandmates. I like How Far We've Come and These Hard Times quite a bit, but the other songs, while far and away better than the usual junk being released to radio these days, lack Thomas's layered complexities. Fortunately, they are saved by Rob's great vocals so that helps a lot toward the listening pleasure and make this a CD worth buying. I'll be looking forward to Thomas's next solo album and hope that for the next Matchbox album the band puts their egos in check and goes back to relying more heavily on Thomas's songwriting skills.
2 - Michele
I have to agree with "Bob" here - I much prefer Rob's songwriting rather than Paul's tendency to be repetitive. I know they're good friends, and we might not have had these 6 songs if Rob had said NO WAY to them contributing, but the fact remains that Rob IS just a better songwriter, and definitely a better singer. Some things you just have to live with, and that's two of them. He's the "front man" for many obvious reasons. That said, I do love all of the Matchsticks, and have and always will be a big fan of this band. And how dare you, as a "fan", even mention Britney Spears "comeback" in the same article? Geesh! *insert rolly-eyed smiley here* Matchbox Twenty plans to be "back" again in 2009, after Rob does another solo thing - I look forward to all of it. I don't care for all the whiney same-sounding bands on the air today, i.e. All American Rejects, Fallout Boy, etc.
3 - Age
Rob writes the bare song and he makes them radio friendly because no one can write a hook like him. But what Kyle, Paul, and Brian add is something distinctly matchbox twenty. They are all quality musicians. Real World, Push, Bent ... none of them would sound the way they did without the collaboration. I love Rob to death, and he's earned his fame fair, but LOOK AT THEM AS A BAND - for that is what they are again, guys! woo hoo. Paul is repetitive? I listened to his band's music and LOVED it. Kyle's music? Totally different from mb. They all brings something amazing to the band.
4 - Age
The new songs are classic. They're not trying to change the face of music; they're giving people solid quality tracks with an almost timeless feel. I was reading other sites and kept seeing comments mimicking "It's ... different...The new songs have to grow on me..." I wasn't aware that so many people only wanted more of the same. What about growth and evolution? matchbox twenty has always strived to give quality and "different" and that's a big reason I have loved them these past 10 years.
I'm thrilled about all of the songs, and I'm especially ecstatic that we have a song that is very clearly not about a relationship and is instead a great eye-opener about the world we live in. "How Far We've Come" doesn't specifically call out what is wrong with the world today, and instead leaves it up to the listeners. Whatever is most dear to our hearts. Whether it be the war, global warming, hunger, the Bush Administration.
It's up-tempo and that gets you pumped up, but the words "You know the world is burning to the ground" couldn't be more serious. I hope the song gets even non-matchbox fans thinking when they hear it on the radio. Get up and do something! Be the change you want to see in the world!
5 - Jason
I've been a Matchbox Twenty fan since 1996. However, the new album SUCKS. "How Far We've Come" was AMAZING. I was blown away by it. However, as for the other new music, that is where the problem is.
It isn't catchy and it makes me cringe. The guys sound like they are trying to be a 1960's style band. Yuck. It is a shame to think, they are leaving behind a legacy of such great music (More Than You Think You Are is one of my favorite albums EVER.) behind, for utter crap like this.
Seriously, I was SO excited to hear the new stuff. However, this album is just full of filler.
This album is a big waste of money. If you want to discover the REAL stuff, go check out any of Matchbox Twenty's first 3 albums, or even that so-so E.P. they released.
This new stuff sucks. Hopefully they won't be playing any of the new stuff on tour.
Here is to Rob Thomas' next solo disc being what this album WASN'T.
6 - Steve
I loved the first three CDs from Matchbox Twenty and when I heard that they had released a new CD, I went out and purchased it without even thinking about it. I have to say, I was very disappointed with it. The first song was the best of the lot but I felt that none of them even came close to having the same quality as the music from the previous releases. I really hope they can get back into their old grove because this band is a legendary. I put them in the same league as the Beatles, etc. I really hope that their next CD returns to their original forumal of Rob Thomas writing the songs and the rest of the band collaborating.
7 - Ent.
Looks like some of the matchbox twenty fans want to stick with "mainstream" when the new songs are clearly a stance against that... I love the new stuff!
8 - America Speaks
I'm sorry to disagree, but Matchbox Twenty is not all that. They have 2 good songs, nothing more, nothing less. Rob Thomas as a solo artist is weak to me because when you start a band, you stick with the band and not go solo for your own selfish reasons. He could of very well stayed with Matchbox Twenty and released the same songs and I would have had more respect for him. But to start with Matchbox, go solo and then go back to Matchbox just does not settle well with me. Rob Thomas is very over-rated as a performer and song writer. He is nothing but an older version of Tailor Hicks, another over-rated singer. Do music and all of us true music lovers a favor Rob and just walk away.
9 - Casey
Those of you complaining, I don't know what for. These new songs are infectious to my ears. How could you not like "all your reasons." "If I fall" I would have to say is my least favorite, but still good. The guys are constantly changing their sound, but some people just want to hear the same stuff. And NO, Rob Thomas is not over-rated. You're not over-rated if you the only person from a band to reach #1 on the Billboard from a solo project. He just doesn't cause any controversy, and is not a hard-asswhole so he is criticized for it. Some people just don't like the nice-guy rocker for some reason.
10 - Laura
I am glad so many of you are Matchbox Twenty fans and Rob Thomas fans! I’m actually on the marketing team for their new CD and I think it’s really great! You all should check out the MVI version, it is a two set disc set that has an interactive DVD with cool features and a regular CD too.
11 - David
"How Far We've Come" blew me away. The other stuff takes two listens to to become infectious, and the old stuff is amazing. I've been a Matchbox fan for years and I'm not about to stop. As for all those people that disagree, "Well, too bad."
12 - rob
sorry to break this to all of you but matchbox twenty is one of the most pathetic bands to grace the MAINstream in the last decade. They have consistently pursued mediocrity with a passion, staying well within the safety zone and pampering to a mindless audience who for some unfathomable reason identifies matchbox twenty as something outside of the mainstream. The pitiful reference to the classic rolling stones record only serves to draw attention to what this album isn't: good. They are the absolute definition of boring, although i don't want to take away from them the joy they have brought to middle aged mums listening to the radio in the kitchen. If you find yourself listening to matchbox twenty, or *shudder* identifying yourself as a fan, then you have serious issues. You need to begin to think about where it all went wrong for you, and when you began to listen to this utter crap. i strongly suggest that you begin listening to some REAL music. i'm not being elitist here, i don't mean you have to go and listen to the "classics" or some obscure indie bands or jazz. Just listen to anything even remotely interesting, creative, or inventive, or just plain FUN and then see if you still like matchbox twenty. If you still like them then i guess you will just have to hope for that god has pity on your wretched souls and forgives you for your heinous heinous sins.
13 - Paul
That Rob Thomas. Such a jokester!
14 - KarlG
Well, 'rob', I don't exactly disagree with you but I see where you are coming from. Indeed, matchbox twenty still has far to go before becoming a Hall of Fame rock band of the century like U2 has become, but they are definitely on their way.
I like any bands or artistes that have a message to spread, a story to tell, people to affect, and emotions to hand out.
matchbox twenty definitely gets into that criteria because of the creative, meaningful lyrics, and catchy hooks and tunes, and to reference Tami, their music is unlike the "Gimme Gimme more" of Britney and the likes.
Though they have much to go before they have the same level of success of U2, or the same musicality and experience as Bono, LM Jr, or Clayton, but there is no doubt that they've "Come Far".
15 - Carol
I've been listening to the new songs all week and am loving them. They are fun and different and I'm so glad the first single is being embraced by both Hot AC & Pop radio. Rob's vocals are great. I wasn't too happy with the album title myself. But not because I feel they are comparing themselves to the Stones (I bet half the people who snootily comment about this haven't even LISTENED to the Stones' Exile on Main Street). I don't like it because it sounds too self deprecating. Matchbox Twenty has put out hit after hit, and most are very different from the others. Their 2nd and 3rd albums were both nominated for Grammy Awards. These are not boring, generic artists despite their popularity with everyone from tweens to soccer Moms. The members of Matchbox Twenty are quality musicians with quality songs. This album is a great starting point for anyone wanting to get acquainted with MB20. But I bet you won't stop there; you'll move on to their three previous CD's and discover a bunch of other gems. Then you'll want to see them live and get blown away by their live show, because Rob can actually SING! Wonder of wonders! Enjoy!
16 - Bree
Ive Listened to matchbox twenty for a long time but never realised who they were. I didnt know who sang my favouirte song untill one day my Dad put in matchbox twenty cd and i asked who it was. on Febuary 22 i went to there 2008 world tour concert in toronto and rob sings the same was as he sounds on there cd.the rest of the band are awsome too.they talked to the fans and koking around. there opening of a johnny cash song was awsome. i love there music they can play and sing and can have fun doing it which is the reason i think they will last so long. there new album was awsome and at the concert they dedicated songs to married people and they also dedicated a song for all the people that we all hate.
17 - Heidi
Well, I have recently seen MB20 live and I loved them! Love the concept of the USB wristband and maintain that Rob Thomas is a genius. All of you above complaining are entitled to your opinion, but I think Matchbox 20 is alive and kickin' and certainly rocking away. They have withstood the test of time and are awesome as ever
18 - ruben
the saddest music I've ever listened too,these people have been making sad music for years and then come out with "how far we've come"go find yourself a high building to jump off from and stay of the radio,please,yeah that's how far you've come