Rob Thomas - Rob Thomas: Something to Be
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Free Music Notes for Rob Thomas: Something to Be
Free Music Review: Perhaps the best album I've ever owned...
Hit: 5 Stars
Now I love all kinds of music. A few of my favorites are Jack Johnson, Lucky Boys Confusion, Vengaboys, Britney Spears, Dr. Dre, Natalie Imbruglia, Jimmy Eat World, Ashlee Simpson, Kelly Clarkson, All American Rejects, Norah Jones, Lil' Kim, Tom Petty, Eminem, and Garbage.
Fortunately for myself, many of those artists have released a new album within the last few months. Also, the type of music they produce is incredibly varied... but that's how I like it.
So, because I loved Rob Thomas's "Lonely No More" so much and I've decided downloading music isn't really fair to the artist, I went out and bought the album. I figured there would be a few really catchy pop songs and 8 I'd never listen to, I couldn't have been more wrong.
I'm still slightly in awe by the album. With the "break-up" sounding titles of a majority of the songs, I figured there would be a lot of depressive half-assed pop/rock crap. But EVERY single song on this album is one I like... most I LOVE. I honestly can't think of any album by anyone else that I've ever enjoyed as fully as this one.
Now I'm not gonna go song-by-song and explain why they are so great. Basically, the lyrics something you'd expect from the ROCK BAND Matchbox 20. When I say that, I mean that we all know that most POP bands/solo artists "Co"write thier songs... This means they do nothing except say "I really think we should use "love" instead of "like" because I'll sound like I'm deep." However, the lyrics are very good and also catchy... But they do all seem to come from something more real than someone cranking out "Bye Bye Bye" and the like.
However, I really think this album's strongest part and what makes EVERY SONG single-worthy is Rob's voice combined with the amazing music. Just listen to the samples provided here and you'll know what I mean. 5 seconds into each song and you know you're going to listen to it over and over. From ballads to rock to latin to pop, this is likely the best album I've ever purchased. I honestly mean that. Listen to the samples and you can hear for yourself. (Keep in mind the CD quality is MUCH better and the detail in the music is lost in the online samples, but you'll get the jist)
Also, I don't understand why some people think an album has to have a theme as a whole. Can't someone just write great, honest, amazing sounding songs and throw them all together on an amazing album? I'm sorry, but if I'm upset I want one depressive song I can relate to with a few happier songs to make me feel better. This album is variety, so don't expect any single type of sound here. But then again, that's why I love it so much.
- John
Free Music Review: Rob - Still Relevant After 9 Years!
Hit: 5 Stars
I read an article where Rob was asked if he was satisfied with his success and he said "no." "That the true test of success was still being relevant after 20 years." Well, I think this album will go a long way in achieving that goal for Rob. Rob has thought outside the MB20 box and made a wonderful album.
I've read many of the reviews already posted and I think its funny that Rob's harshest critics are so-called diehard MB20 fans. While it's RISKY to make an album that won't please many fans, it's that very thing that will keep Rob relevant. Bands and artists that came out in the mid-nineties with MB20 are mainly gone from the spotlight now. This is an endless list but somehow Rob has managed to remain a star. Most of that could be attributed to his huge talent but there are some talented artists that have faded from the public's consciousness. Why is that? Probably because they continued to make the same sound album after album and didn't change. This probably made their hardcore fans happy but didn't create any new fans. If you can't continue to evolve and have an ever changing fanbase, then in today's society where "what have you done for me lately" is the overall theme, you won't stick around for long. So, a huge kudos to Rob for taking that chance and doing some things that have totally thrown some of his fans off. I think the DMB is experiencing some of the same criticisms from their fans on their new album.
It's true. The songs on STB are all over the place. If you can't go from a funky song to a country-tinged song, this album probably isn't for you. The actual musicianship is incredible. Rob has enlisted only top-notch session players and A-list artists to play on this album. Robert Randolph (I Am An Illusion); John Mayer (Streetcorner Symphony); Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers plays on 4 songs); Wendy Melvoin (Prince, Wendy and Lisa plays on most of the album), Gerarld Hayward (drums) and Mike Elizondo (bass) are R&B/hip-hop session players who have played on Dr Dre, Mary J Blige, and Beyonce albums to name a few - they also play on most tracks; and Jeff Trott (Cheryl Crow's band). Somehow Rob was able to take all these individuals and mesh their different playing styles into a cohesive album. It's fantastic.
Also, check out Rob when he's on tour. His touring band is top-notch. The female backup singers really add a lot to the presentation of Rob's songs.
I hope Rob continues to evolve over the years. I can see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame calling his name in 25 years.
Free Music Review: Different
Hit: 5 Stars
I have to admit, when Rob's first single "Lonely No More" hit the internet and I started listening to it, I thought I had checked out the wrong song. It was so far removed from what Matchbox Twenty usually does that I didn't think it was him. Until he started singing and there was Rob's voice, melding with what could be called a "boy band" type song. Very much pop. Yet, it was good. Different, but good.
And that is a good way of describing his first solo album. It's a lot different than fans of Matchbox Twenty might be expecting. There are a few songs that would feel at home on a MB20 cd, but the majority of them flit across many different genres of music. It's a very diverse cd and I like that. You go from quintessential pop to country, funk, latin-influenced beats, a piano number...there's so much diversity here that each song is a treasure. Most surprising there are a number of TRUE love songs here! While Rob has written love songs with MB20 before, they usually (like If you're Gone) are wistful but with Now Comes the Night we have a beautiful song that could be a wedding song.
While the beats and way the music is created might be different from what MB20 fans are used to, Rob's terrific lyrics, wonderful voice and catchy hooks still reign supreme. Using symbolism and self-referential style, he continues to create songs that aren't just pleasing to the ears but to the mind as well.
For those interested, Target has a promotion cd that has songs not released on this album, including (for those who loved Rob from Tabitha's Secret days) an updated version of "Dear Joan," a piano version of "When the Heartache ends" and some other unreleased songs. It's worth looking into if this cd just isn't enough.
Overall, I am really happy with Rob Thomas's solo cd. He's doing it for the right reasons. Instead of trying to distance himself from MB20, he created a cd that doesn't have to have the 5 piece band. It allows him to play with different music styles and to write music that doesn't have to have a base, guitar, keys, etc. And behind the different genres of music on this cd, you can tell he's still the same. A great cd. I would recommend not only to Rob Thomas fans but to fans of interesting and fun music.
Free Music Review: Spectacular
Hit: 5 Stars
When Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas broke out with his debut album, "Something to Be," in 2005, I must admit that I was skeptical. Having been a big fan of the band, I wondered why he had to go out on his own at all - the band was successful, Rob had earned critical acclaim in his duet with Carlos Santana, and there seemed to be no reason to break off. But upon listening to the record, I got it. This album is a chance for Rob Thomas to shine on his own, put more of himself out there than ever before, and the results are spectacular.
There are no bad songs on the 12-track album. Some of the tunes are very similar to Matchbox Twenty's big hits, but others take a different direction entirely. And, while the record is very polished, it's not over-produced; there is still a rawness and vulnerability that is lacking in so many modern-day pieces. Some of the highlights include:
'Lonely No More': The album's first single was a huge success, an infectious blend of pop mixed with a touch of soul and a dash of Latino flair. It's instantly addictive.
'All That I Am': This dark tune is decidedly different from anything else we've heard from Thomas; it's near-haunting melody and soaring chorus are at once both intriguing and mystifying.
'Ever the Same': If any tune on the record is reminiscent of Matchbox Twenty, it's this one. With a familiar soft-rock vibe and repeating guitar riff, it could easily pass for something the entire band had recorded.
'Now Comes the Night': There are some songs that you enjoy for a brief while, and then there are those you take to heart and love for a lifetime. This touching melody is of the latter variety; with lyrics like 'When the day has all but ended / And our echo starts to fade / No you will not be alone then / And you will not be afraid', it's easy to see why.
I could go through every track with the utmost praise, but I feel that the most effective way for you to enjoy this album would be to buy it. It's truly "Something to Be".
Free Music Review: This has to be one of the best albums of 2005!
Hit: 5 Stars
"Something To Be" has to be one of the best albums of 2005.
This album shows that Rob Thomas is very ecclectic in his musical tastes and it also shows that he is no doubt one of the most polished male pop/rock singers out right now. No matter what people may say he is not at all a "Sell Out".
This album takes you on a musical journey with great beats, awesome lyrics, and great vocals.
This album is very deep and personal.
It's refreshing to hear this album after hearing the terrible quality of music that has been coming out the last few years.
Overall album score 5/5.
01. This Is How A Heart Breaks- Great opener for the album I really like how Rob gets into this song. It's awesome. 5/5
02. Lonely No More- Love it, Love it, Love it! I never get tired of hearing this one. Great song. 5/5
03. Ever The Same- My favorite ballad on this album. You can really hear a lot of Matchbox Twenty in this one. I love the lyrics to this one. Fantastic. 5/5
04. I Am An Illusion- Very unique song. Like the soul that it has to it. 4/5
05. When The Heartache Ends- Should be released as a single. Great lyrics. Very Rob Thomas. 4/5
06. Something To Be- Another one of my faves off the album. Like the attitude that he shows in this song. 5/5
07. All That I Am- Like how deep this song is. Shows a different side of Rob. Very exotic. 4/5
08. Problem Girl- Love the lyrics to this one. Great vocals. 4/5
09. Fallin' To Pieces- Again great lyrics. Like the mood of the song. 4/5
10. My, My, My- Good ballad. Really like the lyrics. 4/5
11. Streetcorner Symphony- Love this one. Rob Thomas and John Mayer together awesome! 5/5
12. Now Comes The Night- Beautiful song. Makes me cry when I hear it. A great ending to the album. 5/5