I’m a sucker for a good pop hit, no matter how quaint, formulaic or nonsensical (I’m lookin’ at you, Rihanna). But there’s something even more alluring about a song with substance, which is kind of how I’ve always viewed Rob Thomas as a songwriter and Matchbox Twenty as a band. Back in the late ’90s and early part of this decade, their music was everywhere: the supermarket, the drug store, elevators, on the line while holding for the credit card company and, of course, all over the radio. But one place you’d never hear a Matchbox tune? A TV ad. Sure, “Smooth,” Rob’s Grammy-winning duet with Santana, would’ve been great for selling Schicks, but he and the band have always staunchly opposed licensing their songs for products — a tough stance in today’s strained music business, where making money through traditional outlets is tougher than ever.
Over the years, I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time with Thomas who, any journalist will tell you, is about the most charming, outgoing and funny guy to have sold 28 million albums (his 2005 solo disc included). And so when I heard that there was new Matchbox music in the works, I jumped at the chance to hear it for myself and headed “over the hill,” as we LA folk like to say, to NRG Studios in North Hollywood.
There, I found Thomas bemoaning his broken Guitar Hero video game and debating Paris Hilton’s recent appearance on Larry King Live.And, after a month of recording on the opposite coast from where helives, he was missing his wife and dogs terribly. But Thomas’ mood wasquickly lifted once producer Steve Lilywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band)loaded up six freshly-mixed songs into the console. Starting off with“How Far We’ve Come,” a rousing, pop-rock romp with a distinct “Born toRun” vibe, then segueing into the old soul feel of “Can’t Let You Go”and the Pretenders-inspired “I’ll Believe You When…,” it wasimmediately apparent that this was a different Matchbox 20 than the onewe’ve come to know.
There’s good reason for it, too. For one thing, this is the firsttime Thomas and the band have worked with someone other than their longtimeproducer Matt Serletic, and the change has opened their range.At the same time, Lilywhite honed in on a sound that’s current, yeteasily digestible to an adult audience. And, dare I say, very rock.Also, Paul Doucette, who had been the band’s drummer, switched toguitar (replacing Adam Gaynor, who left a couple years back), andfinally, the six new songs were written by the band as a whole, asopposed to Thomas alone. All this has resulted in some prettysurprising sounds, which the public will get to hear come October 2,when Matchbox release their greatest hits package, Exile on Mainstream.
So do we have to label the return of Matchbox Twenty as part of someimpending (or ever constant) ’90s revival, as my good friend and Huffington Post contributor Paul Bonanos noted in his enlightening take on “The Speed of Retro”? Or, I wondered after the playback, as I watched Thomasstruggle to keep up with Jane’s Addiction’s “Stop” on hisjust-delivered, brand-spanking new copy of Guitar Hero (see pic above), can we simply acknowledge quality, middle of the road music for whatit is? Considering how fresh and un-dated Matchbox’s new music sounds, I’m hoping for the latter. What say you, PopWatchers?
Comments (1-10) of 10
Love Rob Thomas, and LOVE matchbox twenty. I hope matchbox twenty can still find an audience since Rob’s “Little Wonders” from Disney’s “Meet The Robinsons” soundstrack failed to be a pop hit, eventhough it was a great tune. I’ll pick up their greatest hits package in Oct. eventhough I have all their cds!
Can’t wait for new Matchbox Twenty!
I’m looking forward to the range. Push is one of my all-time favorites. But, then came 3am, Bent, Unwell, Since You”ve Been Gone….
I saw Rob’s Soundstage show where he sang Smooth as an accustic ballad!
Hopefully, Lilywhite can inject some energy into Rob and the boys. Enough wounded man ballads.
I couldn’t stand MB20 when they first came out, then they blew me away and made me a fan during a live performance of “Back to Good” at the opening of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame building (I think) and have loved Rob Thomas ever since. His voice is fiyah live. So I look forward to his vocal stylings anyday (especially with the new rock infused sound). Viva Rob & MB20.
Can’t wait for new MB20. I wonder if we’ll get all 6 tracks Lillywhite did? Most greatest hits only 2 or 3 new songs alongside the old ones. MB20 gets a lot of crap from hipsters but Rob is one of the best songwriters in the last 20 years.
In this age of downloading singles off of itunes and other sites, what is the purpose of releasing a “Greatest Hits” album? Most fans or semi-fans of Matchbox 20 already own their favorite songs and hits from the group (and, like me, all or most of thier albums). Come on guys…how about writing and recording 6 more songs and just release a whole brand new album? That is what we (the fans) really want.
I personally cant wait. Yes, all 6 songs will be on the cd. checkout the matchbox forums and robs forum.
also, Mike, its If Your Gone…Since you been gone is a kelly clarkson song…
A friend of mine who used to work for a radio station in NYC said that Rob Thomas was one of the nicest and most selfless celebrities he ever met. As for Matchbox 20, yeah they’re not revolutionizing pop music, but all three records have been a lot of fun, and I really like that they don’t take themselves too seriously. I think it’s a little early for a retrospective (after three albums?), but six new songs is a lot for a greatest hits package.
Great article. I have been fortunate to meet all the Matchbox boys and they are all amazing and down to earth. Rob and his wife are so sweet and very good to their fans! I am looking forward to the new album and new songs and of course, a new tour!
I think the thing I love about MB20 is that they’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. They make intelligent, catchy pop music. What is wrong with that? My favorite song of theirs is “Long Day” and it never fails to lift my spirits. I’m looking forward to the new disc and the tour to follow.
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