When I first got a copy of “More Than You Think You Are”, I was distinctly unimpressed. For the first time, a Matchbox Twenty album didn’t immediately grab me and make me want to put it on constant play. The problem was that, on first listen, it didn’t seem entirely like either of their previous ... Read review
Florida's mega platinum Matchbox Twenty prove with their third album, More than You Think ... more
You Are, to be far more versatile than expected, comfortably outlasting the predictions of naysayers. Reuniting with producer Matt Serletic, the quintet takes cre...
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Advantages: Very cheap on Amazon at present Disadvantages: The weakest of the band's albums
...album “Mad Season” or the more rocking style of their debut “Yourself or Someone Like You”.
It took a visit to the USA last year for me to start getting into the album. The American Airlines flight we were on had a track from the album on one of the in-flight “radio” stations and, while we were there, MTV was playing “Unwell” on their daily chart countdown. As the show happened at pretty much the same time I was getting ready to go ... ...heavier on the bass and more towards the rock end of the spectrum than a lot of their others. The vocals sound as if they’re more shouted than sung, which is a bit of a shame as Rob Thomas does have a great voice, but it fits in with the rest of the track and you’re getting a pretty decent rock-pop tune.
The introduction to “Disease” is a little bit of a worry at first, as it sounds almost as if it could have an electronic style edge ... more
When I first got a copy of “More Than You Think You Are”, I was distinctly unimpressed. For the first time, a Matchbox Twenty album didn’t immediately grab me and make me want to put it on constant play. The problem was that, on first listen, it didn’t seem entirely like either of their previous albums, which had grabbed me for different reasons – the lyrical thoughtfulness of their second album “Mad Season” or the more rocking style of their debut “Yourself or Someone Like You”.
It took a visit to the USA last year for me to start getting into the album. The American Airlines flight we were on had a track from the album on one of the in-flight “radio” stations and, while we were there, MTV was playing “Unwell” on their daily chart countdown. As the show happened at pretty much the same time I was getting ready to go out most days, this meant I was exposed to it several times and it grew on me. On my return home, the album did the same thing.
“Feel” is a pretty good opening track, although they’ve certainly done better. It’s a little ‘darker’ than a lot of their earlier work, being a little heavier on the bass and more towards the rock end of the spectrum than a lot of their others. The vocals sound as if they’re more shouted than sung, which is a bit of a shame as Rob Thomas does have a great voice, but it fits in with the rest of the track and you’re getting a pretty decent rock-pop tune.
The introduction to “Disease” is a little bit of a worry at first, as it sounds almost as if it could have an electronic style edge to it. Fortunately, the normal guitar follows in, and what you get is a pop-rock track in the true Matchbox Twenty style – a decent guitar line and the rough edged vocal over the top holding it all together, very similar to the kind of sound that owners of the band’s “Mad Season” album will appreciate.
As happened a few times on “Mad Season”, the piano takes the leading position for the start of “Bright Lights”. It’s a slow, piano based ballad that gets a little overblown a little later on, much like a lot of 80’s rock ballads. It’s almost a combination of two things the band do well – the pop-rock track and the piano ballad, and seems to draw from both “Mad Season” from their second album and “3 am” from their debut. The combination isn’t quite as good as the individual parts, but it’s still a very good pop ballad.
“Unwell” starts with an almost banjo sounding introduction, and the piano is pretty heavily involved again. The band has always been good at ballads, as Rob Thomas has a strong enough voice to carry them. Although this does get a little louder and becomes a pop-rock style ballad, it doesn’t go as far as “Bright Lights”, and is fairly similar to “If You’re Gone” from the “Mad Season” album. With this track, though, it’s the lyrics that caught my attention first, and still retain it: “I’m not crazy, I’m just a little unwell/I know that right now you can’t tell”
The guitar intro to “Cold” has a kind of blues edged feel to it that instantly reminds me of Danko Jones. Despite the promising start, the track turns into a mid-paced rock-pop number, like “Feel” a little heavier than Matchbox Twenty’s usual style, although the blues-rock guitar line does stick out most of the way through the track, and provides the most distinctive edge to a track that would otherwise have very little about it that stands out.
The intro to “All I Need” is a lot lighter, a bit poppier, and has a kind of bouncy riff that wouldn’t have been out of place on their debut album. It’s a fairly mid-paced pop song, and there are points where it sounds a little like a Roy Orbison song, as it does have a kind of 60s feel, although with a little bit of an edge that separates it from the standard pop rock ‘n’ roll of that era.
It’s back to the ballads for “Hand Me Down” and the piano gets quite a work out. It’s quite a lightweight pop ballad, and doesn’t have as much about it as the earlier ones on the album, although Rob’s voice does give it a slight edge at points and it does get a little more muscular towards the end. It’s a track that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on “Mad Season”.
The beginning of “Could I Be You” carries on much the same theme, although it’s a faster paced track it does turn into a slightly more pop-rock song a little way in. It’s not got a great deal about it to recommend, however, and it’s essentially just another Matchbox Twenty pop-rock number, with nothing wrong with it, but very little that stands up and grabs your attention.
“Downfall” is more up tempo and with a drum beat that’s strangely reminiscent of Bon Jovi’s “Keep the Faith”. The band cut loose on this one, and it’s a flowing pop-rock track very much akin to the band at their (in my opinion) best from their debut album, perhaps missing only a catchy guitar line to stand out, although the change of pace to a gospel style towards the end catches you unawares, although it does spoil the momentum of the song. For the most part, though, this is the kind of track that wannabe pop-rock bands, like Maroon 5, could learn a lot from.
There’s another slower number to follow, and “Soul” starts in a far more laid back way to much of the band’s stuff, and it’s a little like “Bright Lights”, only with a guitar lead, rather than a piano. It does find a rockier edge a lot sooner than that song, but the overall effect is pretty much the same, alternating between a ballad and a pop-rock number.
There’s a nice bass line to open “You’re So Real”, sounding a little like a speeded up version of “Stand By Me” and the vocals seem to tumble over each other. But when the guitar hook comes in, you find yourself with a bouncy, catchy up-tempo pop-rock song, which is as good as anything the band has done. The guitar riff gets your feet moving and the song sweeps you away and this is the perfect example of how to put a pop-rock track together, although the change of pace part way through does get in the way a little. Fortunately, normal service is resumed fairly quickly afterwards.
The album closes on “The Difference”, another ballad with Rob’s vocals making it sound a little like a Bon Jovi track in the early part. It’s a pretty bland pop song, though, and it’s a little like a Maroon 5 track more than a Matchbox Twenty one, and doesn’t have a great deal of life to it, despite the attempts to make it more than it is, which are really no more than window dressing.
Overall, I’d view this as the weakest of Matchbox Twenty’s three albums. However, there’s enough of their overall sound in here to make this a pretty good album indeed, and it’s not a bad starting off point if you’ve not listened to their work before. It’s clear that they are maturing and improving their writing ability as they go, but as more of a rock fan, I preferred the rawer sound of their earlier work. For the genuine fan of the band, however, the evolution of their sound is a good thing to follow through to this album and for the fan of more pop-based music, this is definitely a good thing to listen to, being more mature and a little rougher than you’re used to, but still being an excellently crafted album.
Although I’d sooner recommend another of the band’s album to a non-fan, “More Than You Think You Are” is available at an amazingly low price of £5.97 on Amazon at present. With the other albums at £10.99, and this not being a bad place to start if you’re just getting into the band, that makes this almost a must buy. If you’re into similar pop-rock style acts such as The Calling, Maroon 5 and Counting Crows, you’re likely to find something you’ll enjoy in this album and at that price, which can be reduced even further by looking at the Amazon Marketplace or on eBay (copies from 4.99 and 99p respectively at the time of writing) it’s an album well worth taking a chance on. If you’re already a fan or if you’ve liked the band’s earlier works but don’t own this album as yet, pick it up while it’s at that price and you won’t regret it.
Advantages: Rythmic genius, beauty is apparent upon the stroke of every key. An album that will last forever. A new edition of the Matchbox Twenty Saga. Disadvantages: Not to everybodies taste but believe me when listened to hard enough and long enough the music takes over the mind and the mind becomes a slave to the sound.
...to not bother downloading any more from the band and to merely run down to the nearest music shop and purchase the first two albums. I began my research on Matchbox Twenty following listening to the albums, my mission, to find out weather the band was still in full swing, or weather like my other idols “Savage Garden” they had ceased action and thrown in the microphone. The Second album “Mad Season was released in the Year 2000, ... ...now growing site were becoming more and more evident. Then, without warning I saw that magical sentence “19th November set for release of upcoming single disease”. Not long after that I found the new album was to be called “More than you think you are”. Unfortunately as is so evident with most of the Matchbox Twenty saga the UK was not to have a slice of the pie, we were left without a release date and as of yet none has been ...
Desolate_Cash 22.01.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of More Than You Think You Are [ECD] - Matchbox Twenty
Advantages: Rob Thomas, fine music, suits all moods Disadvantages: having to press the play button again after its finished!
...E N T Y
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MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE
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When the band appeared in 1996, not many people were ready for what was to follow.
Rising from the ashes of Tabitha's Secret, the band soon started to gain a following, this following got a whole lot bigger with the release of the bands debut album, 'Yourself or someone like you'.
This album reached over 10 million sales, undoubtedly ... ...sound and gave it a more polished poppy edge, which worked but overall the album seemed a little too overproduced, and even the band themselves have dubbed it the kitchen sink album, due to the amount of different instruments and sounds they incorporated into it.
Also between the first two albums lead singer Rob Thomas had a hit single with guitar genius Santana, with the massive single 'Smooth'.
So two years later after intensive touring and various ...
kylecoare 10.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of More Than You Think You Are [ECD] - Matchbox Twenty
Advantages: Really touches you right there inside. Disadvantages: Not really radio-friendly, for those who like that.
...was born. With More Than You Think You Are, Rob and his cohorts have followed up on their previous album, 2001’s Mad Season, which sold more than ten million units worldwide. Before you pop this disc into your player – if you do – I want you to settle down, that’s right just relax. Find yourself a comfy chair somewhere, preferably a nice cushiony one. Are you feeling comfortable now? Come on, just close your eyes and lie back. Good. Now you should ... ...This album sounds more like a band effort lyrically and melody wise, probably because it is. Not since I first encountered 1996’s Lava/Atlantic Yourself Or Someone Like You have I heard such co-ordinated rhythm. “When we made our first record, we hadn’t really been a band for very long,” Thomas says of Yourself. “We hadn’t had any really good fights, we hadn’t had any really good laughs, we hadn’t done much of anything together. But now, so much ...
sargonau 17.08.2003 (18.08.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of More Than You Think You Are [ECD] - Matchbox Twenty
Advantages: 2 words, Rob Thomas, always says great music to me! Disadvantages: Only 12 tracks
...no way of finding out more about them. Eventually I did emerge from the dark ages unharmed and got the net, first thing I looked for was MB20 'Push', now about 3 years old. When I eventually found that, I started finding more and better songs, and lets just say the excitement was flowing.
So now, here I am all grown up and with their three albums, and its to the third album that we'll go for a quick description. I'm beginning to think that someone ... ...Downfall is one of the more lively. There's even an appearance by a choir at the chorus.
I definitely don't have the room to go through all the tracks and describe them, just don't listen to them if you're in a fragile state of mind.
Rob Thomas puts in a great effort, as does all of the band, but as so often is the way, he's the lead singer, he gets the coverage, the attention and the fans. But he deserves them, not only did he do a duet with Santana ...
haillie-jade 29.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of More Than You Think You Are [ECD] - Matchbox Twenty
Advantages: Quality songs from start to finish Disadvantages: Can't think of any
..."You're so real" are much more upbeat affairs that stick in your mind and can't stop humming for the rest of the day. Then there's "Unwell", which is a bit of both and is both musically and lyrically the best song on the album, and is one of my favourites ever.
Words doesn't do this album justice, it needs to be heard. Because once it has spun in your CD player it will be hard to take it out again. Highest recommendation ...
icandigthat 16.10.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of More Than You Think You Are [ECD] - Matchbox Twenty
Product Information for "More Than You Think You Are [ECD] - Matchbox Twenty" »
Product details
Title
More Than You Think You Are [ECD]
Performer
Matchbox Twenty
Genre
Rock & Pop
Release Date
24/02/2003
Recomended Retail Price
16.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2002
Label / Distributor
Atlantic / Cinram Logistics
Producer
Matt Serletic
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
75679317025
Catalogue Number
7567931702
Additional notes
Album Notes
Matchbox Twenty: Rob Thomas (vocals, piano); Paul Doucette (acoustic & electric guitar, piano, Clavinet, Mellotron, drums, percussion); Kyle Cook, Adam Gaynor (guitar, background vocals); Brain Yale (bass). Additional personnel includes: Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar); Carol Webb, Enrico Dicecco, Jonathan Minklage, Maura Giannini, Jan Mullen, Ricky Sortomme, Bonna Tecco (violin); Sue Pray, Sarah Adams, Crystal Garner, Vincent Lionti (viola); Eric Ralshe, Jerome Ashby (French horn); Paul Doucette (synthesizer); Matt Serletic (congas); Vanesse Thomas, Lydia Mann-Jaime, Melanie Daniels, Cheryl Pepsi Riley (background vocals). Recorded at Bearsville Studio, Woodstock, New York and The Hit Factory, New York, New York. In between his commitments to the band, Matchbox Twenty singer-songwriter Rob Thomas had spent the time leading up to the group's third album collaborating with everyone from Willie Nelson to Mick Jagger (his resuscitation of Carlos Santana's career already being old news by this point). Despite all these star turns, Thomas returned dutifully to the fold, and MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE definitely sounds like a band effort, not just Rob-and-the-other-guys. While the catchy "Disease" (no pun intended) occasionally comes a little too close to Carly Simon's "You Belong to Me" for comfort, its musical insistence and inventive production make it stick in the memory. "Bright Lights," with it's piano-laden elegiac feel, is somewhat akin to the Train hit "Drops of Jupiter." "Downfall" starts out like a rowdy piece of alt-rock, but eventually drops into a surprising gospel feel, complete with choir. Like the opening track "Feel," "You're So Real" is a hard-charging rocker full of nasty riffs, but it's followed by album-closer (not counting a subsequent hidden track) "The Difference," a power-ballad that's the closest thing on the album to what longtime fans might have been expecting from their mercurial heroes.
Album Reviews
Rolling Stone (12/12/02, p.96) - "...The quintet no longer comes across desperately commercial or deadly earnest..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Feel
2.
Disease
3.
Bright Lights
4.
Unwell
5.
Cold
6.
All I Need
7.
Hand Me Down
8.
Could I Be You
9.
Downfall
10.
Soul
11.
You're So Real
12.
Difference
13.
So Lonely (hidden track)
14.
If You Are Gone (live AOL session/bonus track)
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Listed on Ciao since
22/01/2003
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