Matchbox Twenty - Exile on Mainstream
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Free Music Notes for Exile on Mainstream
Free Music Review: MB20 come out of 'Exile' on greatest hits album
Hit: 5 Stars
Matchbox Twenty is one of the biggest AC / Alt Rock bands of the past decade, with more than a handful of songs that have received heavy radio airplay over the past ten years. The band was put on hiatus after their 2002 album "More Than You Think You Are", when lead man Rob Thomas decided to release a solo record. Though chances are if you were a fan of the band you probably like Thomas' solo album as well, since the music wasn't that much of a departure. However, many MB20 fans have still had a long, hard wait to this album, the creatively titled "Exile On Mainstream."
The two disc set is best described as a greatest hits album combined with half of a new album. Though I've already seen many fans of the band express major disappointment over the album not being MB20's full fourth studio album, I would like to point out that the band has hinted they are already working on their next full studio album, so just calm down anxious fans, there shouldn't be long of a wait for a full new album. Anyway the greatest hits section of the album, found on disc two, is as perfect of a MB20 hits collection that you could ask for. Nearly every single the band has release between their first and third albums are included. The only singles absent from the set are "Angry", "Last Beautiful Girl", and "Downfall", all songs that received very little radio play, so are not very well known anyway. All the big hits from their breakout alt 90's rock classic, "Push", to their pop-rock, #1 smash "Bent", to the effervescent "Unwell" sound just as great in 2007 as they did when they came out, proving the band managed to make hits that have had longevity.
However, the new songs are the real incentive to buy for diehard fans. The first disc contains 6 new songs, that emerged from a new recording session. The first single, "How Far We've Come" has proven to be very successful, and can sit side by side with the band's biggest hits. The apocalyptic lyrics of the song are oddly paired with a toe tapping, upbeat sound, making for a memorable piece of adult contemporary radio music. Meanwhile tracks such as "These Hard Times" and "I Can't Let You Go" are up to par with previous ballads, "If You're Gone", and "Bright Lights." "I Can't Let You Go" in particular stands out, as the band incorporates a 50's ish sound, to make for a very unique and hum-able track. Songs like these show that the band are experimenting and changing, which is a good thing. "The upbeat "I'll Believe You When" is also notable, though it's somewhat a watered down version of "How Far We've Come" it still has a unique charm. The two weakest new tracks, "If I Fall" and "All Your Reasons" tend to border on filler, but do grow on you, and are still worthwhile tracks.
Overall "Exile On Mainstream" is a great mix of the old and new, and hints at what we can expect on the band's fourth album. For people who don't have all of the band's previous albums, but like what they've heard from them on the radio, this is definitely worth a buy. For everyone else, "Exile On Mainstream" is still worth considering, as it is a good appetizer while fans wait for the main course. 5/5 Stars
My Top 3 (of the new songs only):
1. I Can't Let You Go
2. How Far We've Come
3. These Hard Times
Free Music Review: the long awaited return
Hit: 5 Stars
Matchbox twenty was perhaps my favorite band of the 90's. Yourself or Someone Like You was a masterpiece. Featurining just the right balance between mainstream and not so mainstream alternative rock. The album spawned 6 radio singles, all but one of which are included in this hits package. Mad Season was a little more poppy, and had fewer straight up rock tunes, but was nevertheless excellent. The same went for 2002's More Than You Think You Are. Then the band vanished. Rumors ran wild that they had broken up, but in truth, they were merely working on solo projects. I went crazy with anticipation for Rob Thomas's solo album "Something to Be" in 2005. After all, everything this man had ever touched with his band or without (smooth with santana comes to mind) had been absolutely golden. Unfortunately, the solo record was merely average. Thomas went a more experimental route that i would have liked and although he delivered some great songs, not one of them was one of those anthems that could survive a decade and still sound fresh. but also problematic was that the album contained a few mediocre tracks, something unheard of in the work of rob thomas. was he losing his touch? over two years later we finally have the answer. no.
"How Far We've Come" is easily the best song of the year. It definitely is a new sound for the band, but its as catchy as anything else you'll hear this year, and its lyrically mindblowing. Thomas rattles off the verses rapidly before reaching the chorus which will surely be stuck in your head for days. the first time i heard it i went crazy with anticipation again. a new matchbox twenty album was finally in the pipeline. of course, i was setting myself up for more disappointment as i soon found out that the album would be a greatest hits album and would only include half an album of new material after which thomas would begin recording his second solo album. the only question i have after hearing the new tunes is why thomas would ever feel at home without his band. Obviously all of the new songs are excellent. A mix of harder rock (If I Fall, All Your Reasons) to mid tempo ballads (Can't Let You Go, These Hard Times). Interestingly, most of the new set follows the example of the first single. Most of them dont sound much like anything the band has done up until now. These Hard Times though is classic MB20, with a bridge that will bring memories of the 90's flying back.
The second disc is obviously great as well, but wont do much, even for casual fans as the band has only put out three albums, and buying all of them is certainly the best way to go no matter what. The album is very straightforward, going through all the bands big hits in chronological order. Dont get me wrong, the songs are great, but some of the best songs in the collection arent here. Songs like Hang, Shame, Kody, Rest Stop, Leave, The Burn, The Difference, All I Need, Downfall, and Hand Me Down are all five star tracks that were never singles. That said, the album is fun to listen to, and really got me back into MB20. The tracklist does leave a little to be desired, but it concludes with Bright Lights, the best song Rob Thomas ever wrote, and at the end of the day, thats all you really need to make an album perfect.
Free Music Review: Matchbox Twenty has come far
Hit: 5 Stars
Matchbox Twenty
Exile on Mainstream
*****/*****
Matchbox Twenty has come far
90's Alternative Rock legends Matchbox Twenty are back from a brief hiatus with their retrospective album `Exile on Mainstream.' `Mainstream,' which includes six new songs and 11 of their greatest hits, is best described as a smorgasbord of musical experiments borrowing elements from both the past and present.
Instead of serving the public a boring "greatest hits" album, MB20 tries something different by including six previously unreleased songs in addition to their chart-toppers. Beginning with the band's current single "How Far We've Come," MB20 dabbles in pop/rock that is best classified as "country punk." "Come" contains classic elements from the band's past material, yet it is current enough to fit right on FM waves with bands like Good Charlotte and Nickelback.
Aside from "Come," `Mainstream' features more folksy tracks like the upbeat, happy-go-lucky "I'll Believe You When," which is comparable to something Rusted Root would record. Perhaps the newest offering most similar to classic MB20 is the ballad "These Hard Times," which has a positive message despite the rather bleak lyrics. "If I Fall" is also a great example of `Yourself or Someone Like You'-era MB20.
Some of the band's new material is not up to its usual standards, such as the amateurish "All Your Reasons." The `bah dah dah dah's and backing vocals are enough to ruin the song. The bluesy sound on "Can't Let You Go" is refreshing, and acts as a bridge between past and present MB20.
Whether the lyrics are catchy or classy, each new song is greatly strengthened by Rob Thomas's distinguished vocals. Although Thomas's recent solo career was met with good results, it is even better to have him back fronting MB20, as the band remains a stalwart of the music landscape of the 1990s.
The second disc is full of the band's biggest hits, from "Push" to "Unwell." Although there are a few other songs that could have made the cut, the six new songs make up for their absences.
It took five years, but Matchbox Twenty has finally returned. Although it would have made more sense to release a new original studio album followed by a "greatest hits" disc, it is apparent that the band continues to make revolutionary decisions and are not afraid to go against the grain. Matchbox Twenty has certainly come very far from their beginnings in the `90s, and they will continue to contribute to the evolution of music.
Free Music Review: A Must-Have Through These Hard Music Times
Hit: 5 Stars
Matchbox Twenty is more or less, a generation definer. They ruled the 90's, and made a splash into the millennium. Unfortunately, Rob Thomas did a solo album. The album wasn't nearly as good as his group work. Thus, for this album at least, he's returning to his roots.
First off, the greatest hits collection. This section of the album really defines greatest hits, because small little chart toppers aren't present, just hits. And they didn't select a bad song. Every song defines Matchbox Twenty, and every song is a treat for the listener. They're catchy, they're well written, they're classics. And while "Long Day" may be the weakest of the bunch, it was also their first song, before they're rock gods. Rob Thomas is a musical genius, and this disc represents some of the best music of the past 20 years.
The new disc, the EP if you will, is slam-packed with excellent tracks, and exactly what you'd expect from the band. They're catchy, well-written, and they're instant classics. "I'll Believe You When" channels the band's inner Beatle, as the track sounds like the Beatle's style. "All Your Reasons"'s opening seconds are extremely catchy, and the song delivers in ways you might not expect. "These Hard Times" is another generation definer, much in the way "Waiting on the World to Change" was. The song is kind of light and poppy in feel, but again, the chorus delivers in ways you might not expect.
"If I Fall" is a little forgettable, and not the most original song the band has done, and it kind of gets lost in this disc, and it's rather short. "Can't Let You Go" channels John Mayer, as he would be perfect singing it, but Rob Thomas does great on the high notes, and with the song in general, and in the end makes this song one of the highlights. "How Far We've Come," which you've probably heard already, is extremely catchy, and while the end of the world element may turn a few off, the song still comes out excellent. The song also introduces a great sond for the band, which they pull of quite well.
Overall, a must-have through these hard music times. If you have the rest of the albums, the EP is well worth the purchase price, and the greatest hits portion is required listening material for anybody who has never heard Matchbox Twenty, and for anybody looking for great music. Hopefully, Matchbox Twenty will return from mainstream exile, and rule the music world once more. For all non-believers, "For God's sake, turn around!"
Free Music Review: One of the best bands of the '90's are back!
Hit: 5 Stars
Matchbox twenty is back, and they've made some changes. The biggest change is that rhythm guitarist Adam Gaynor left the band. The second change is a new producer, Steve Lilywhite (Dave Matthews Band, U2, etc.). The third change is that the four remaining band members wrote all of the six new songs.
Exile on Mainstream is a two CD set. The first disc is just the six new songs - How Far We've Come, I'll Believe You When, All Your Reasons, These Hard Times, If I Fall, and Can't Let You Go. I love all the songs and think they're great - I give them all a five out of five. Three songs stand out to me, though: How Far We've Come, I'll Believe You When and These Hard Times.
"How Far We've Come" - This song is the first single, and it's definitely a different sound for the band. Also, I think of this song as describing the band itself up to this point - "let's see how far we've come".
"I'll Believe You When" - This song has a bit of a country feel to it.
"These Hard Times" - This song has the "matchbox twenty sound" that fans, including myself, know and love.
The second disc has the hit songs that represent the band well. Most peple are going to say that there are certain songs that should have been included or excluded on here, and I am one of them, but I'm very happy with the collection as a whole. (Personally, I would have replaced Long Day and Disease with Last Beautiful Girl and Black and White People.)
Now I'll rate the songs:
Long Day - 3/5
Push - 5/5
3 am - 4/5
Real World - 4/5
Back 2 Good - 4/5
Bent - 5/5
If You're Gone - 5/5
Mad Season - 4/5
Disease - 3/5
Unwell - 5/5
Bright Lights - 4/5
This new CD from the band has me hopeful that they will release more new music in the future!