Matchbox 20 show's they are more
By Jon Gargano
Scene Music Critic
More Than You Think You Are, Matchbox 20's third album, is easily their most versatile to date. Possessing intense lyrics, swirling guitar riffs and propulsive choruses, this album further expands and diversifies the band's image as the face of radio pop-rock. In this album, the quintet experiments with different styles and sounds incorporating gospel, country-twang and hard-rock into their emotive ballads.
The album's first single "Disease," co-written by Rob Thomas and Mick Jagger, which adds Jagger to the long list of megastars Thomas has collaborated with. Filled with powerful guitar solos and upbeat tempos, "Disease" is slightly reminiscent of Thomas's Grammy winning hit "Smooth" performed with Carlos Santana.
"Bright Lights" is the first song on the album that emits a southern vibe. The song makes use of a pedal steel guitar and a piano to reach a folky twang sound that can also be detected on the track "All I Need." These songs highlight the group's impressive range and it seems probable that these tracks were influenced by Rob Thomas's recent exposure to Willie Nelson.
"Unwell" is the first track that stands out for its intriguing lyrics. Rob Thomas's songs are deeply self-reflexive and can often seem all too familiar: "I'm not crazy / I'm just a little unwell / I know right now you can't tell / But stay awhile and then maybe you'll see / A different side of me."
Though Rob Thomas continues to shine as one of the top songwriters of the day, his presence can be a little strong. The biggest flaw of the group's second album, Mad Season, was that it sounded too much like the Rob Thomas Group, with each track possessing the same attitude and soft melodic quality. However, More Than You Think You Are goes to great lengths to integrate all five members and represents the first of the group's albums in which each member shares in songwriting credit. Drummer Paul Doucette wrote "Could I Be You," which adds another dimension to the group's sound.
Perhaps the most daring track on the album is "Downfall" which starts out with a typical rock sound, but midway through turns to soul, complete with a gospel choir. The result is an incredible and inventive sound enriched by lyrics of lost love, "I want you back again / I want you to trouble me / Be my savior / And I'll be your downfall." This attitude continues into the following track "Soul."
If there is a flaw in the album it is emotional excesses. The same Rob Thomas lyrics which are liberating in some tracks seem hampering in others. Though each song is well written, sometimes the soft emotional messages seem incongruous with the upbeat music, making the band come off as melodramatic.
More Than You Think Are is a very solid album straight through the opening track "Feel" to the final hidden track "So Sad So Lonely." It successfully captures the sounds that millions of fans fell in love with in the groups first two albums while simultaneously introducing an array of new sound and style.
Contact Jon Gargano at gargano.1@nd.edu
All Scene Stories for Tuesday, January 28, 2003
