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 Once again, another great CD by this band.The first two songs are a little bit "harder" than usual, but then after that, they tone down. But that doesn't mean I don't like the first two. I loved them. The entire CD is just great. From all of their CDs they have out, the total number of songs on them that I don't like is ZERO. You have to get this CD.
While trying out there new stripped down live sound for size, at the core there still the same band that made us fall in love with ýCrutchý and the soulful ýWhen youýre goneý. Self-exploration, love found and love lost still lie at the heart of the lyrics. Opening track ýFeelý blasts out from the speakers and gives the listener the audio version of a splash of cold water to the face, waking up anyone expecting more of the same from Matchbox Twenty. The band have ditched a refined processed sound, drums sound like drums and guitars definitely sound like guitars! From the catchy, bouncy and instantly likable ýUnwellý kicking off with cheerful twangy banjo type stylings or the slow and thoughtful ýBright Lightsý, which has all the markings of single material and could well be the next ýWhen youýre goneý. The band give a real sense of experimentation with this album more then previous albums, the rough unkempt guitars are welcome for a start, and then they surprise you again with a gospel inspired number ýDownfallý incorporating gospel singers to help singer Rob plead for someone to ýBe my saviourý. This sense of experimentation really feels like the band are finding out what they can do instead of sticking to a given formula that has made them popular in the past and has been talked about with bassist Brian Yale ýWe grew up with 70ýs rock, so we wanted to try and get that sound on the album, because thatýs truly the kind of band that we areý. The rough raw sound is hardly surprising considering that ýMore than you think you areý is engineered by Greg Collins who has previously worked with heavy Armenian nu-metelers System of a down and funky monks Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Fans of harder rock groups brought up on a diet of slipknot and Korn are unlikely to be won over and converted by Matchbox Twentyýs latest offering, but previous fans will love this slice of Americana pop-rock. It offers more of the same from the bands back catalogue with a good helping of fresh new ideas to go along side it. Out of all 12 tracks none of them are bad, they all work very well showing what the matchbox Twenty gang can do when they put there mind to it. This is definitely a record to fall in love with, and indeed fall in love too. A likely candidate for the soundtrack of the summer and an all round deep and more adult album offering a more in depth look at lost relationships and broken hearts.
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My first reaction when listening to this album was, "Wow, it sounds like, well, Matchbox20." What could I expect, right? Maybe something with a different flavor. Although this album is enjoyable, it lacks the energy of Yourself or Someone Like You, and part of the originality from Mad Season. If you want more Matchbox20, I would highly recommend Tabitha's Secret, Rob Thomas' earlier band. I do really like a few or the songs that start out slower on MTYTYR, though. Could I Be You begins with slow piano and vocals, something reminiscent of Elton John. It picks up rather quickly, though--bursting into their usual sound with a few drum beats, getting faster and angrier as the song progresses. Feel, Soul, and Unwell also possess downbeat qualities, and these songs flow very well. Better, at least, than the more monotonous pseudo-punk rock qualities of the faster tracks on this album. You're So Real is my favorite song on this album--something very new and different in the beginning (by the end, there is no denying that it's MB20). We're also surprised with a kickin' hidden track! All in all, I would recommend this album as long as you don't expect anything earth shatteringly different. Great for those who love MB20 classic sound.
