Yourself Or Someone Like You - Matchbox 20

Advantages: Straddles musical boundaries with ease
Disadvantages: Jack of all trades, master of none?

At the risk of sounding like that bloke from the Fast Show, aren’t impulse buys great? I mean, you go out, you grab something because the advert looks appealing or you overheard a bloke down the pub say that some bloke he works with’s sister thought it was brilliant. I’ve wasted thousands on lipstick that way, but that’s a story for another day, I guess. What I’m far more likely to do is buy a book as the cover looks nice, or the stuff on the back ...
...looks good, or because the first single sounded like my thing, or there was a favourable review, and it sounded like an album I’d enjoy. And so it was with this album. As for many people, Rob Thomas, Matchbox Twenty’s lead singer was brought to my attention by his vocal work on Santana’s “Smooth”, a song I love, on its’ way to No 3 in April 2000. I’d heard from someone I knew that Matchbox Twenty were a pretty decent band and so, with a few quid ... Read review

Advantages: An excellent album
Disadvantages: none!

...in the mid 90's. The Yourself or someone like you was the band's debut album released in 1996 it was soon to go platinum and at the last count had done that 10 times! So now you're probably thinking who the heck are they? Big in Australian, Germany and the US they've yet to really crack the UK market. Rob Thomas the vocalist claims to have been influenced by a wide range of other musicians including REM, Al Green and Elvis Costello.Playing a blend ...
...when it's gone Past yourself forget the light, things look dirty when it's on Funny how it comes to pass, that all the good slips away And there's no one around you can remember being good to you" "Hang" - the album closes on this soft melodic ballad, with limited accompaniment Rob Thomas really does a great job vocally on this track! Again a look at a break up in a relationship, but done with more heart felt poignancy than say " Back 2 Good". You ... Read review

Advantages: Inner meanings make the songs powerful and mysterious.
Disadvantages: Lack of new material makes the band less well known, and thus deprives people of glorious music such as this.

...you”. Matchbox 20 – Yourself or someone like you On with the Songs…. REAL WORLD This has to be one of my personal favourites, this was my first ever does of MB20 and holy hell what a rush it gave me, I’m no big spender, I assure you, I work hard for my money and I don’t like to pass it over lightly, a money spending decision comes after much consideration. But within listening to the song once early last year on ...
...I deem to be one of the greatest decisions of my life, I rushed out to Pendulum Records and purchased both the MB20 albums on the spot, and to be honest, I didn’t really like them, but as I listened more and more, I found my mind searching the lyrical content of the songs and finding all new meaning within the songs. I found the lift the songs carried to be so intense and so undeniably uplifting that the CD’s barely ever leave my HI-FI. ... Read review

Advantages: Some fine vocals, good music
Disadvantages: one or two fillers

MATCHBOX 20 - YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU ------------------------------------------- It all started a few years ago, when a friend let me borrow his copy of the album, which ended up staying in my collection for a lot longer than it was supposed to. Well I couldn't keep 'forgetting' to give it him back, so I had to brave the real world and buy my own copy, which has stayed next to my cd player ever since. Matchbox 20 are a band which are still ...
...as people are missing out on some fine top quality songwriting. The band started life as a group called 'Tabithas Secret', but soon became the band we know today. Even if you don't know the band its quite possible that you know of their lead singer/songwriter Rob Thomas, as it is his voice that propelled Santana's 'Smooth' single to number 1 in the UK and US, and gained them both a bunch of Grammy awards. Rob Thomas is one of those vocalists that ... Read review

Advantages: Great vocals and catchy songs
Disadvantages: Busted is terrible

Oh no, sorry it's just my keyboard. Oh yes opinion. Matchbox 20 are: Lead vocals : Rob Thomas Lead guitar : Kyle Cook Rhythm guitar : Adam Gaynor Bass : Brian Yale and Drums : Paul Doucette. Now that you feel like friends with Matchbox 20 we can get on with the review. Real World kicks off with a catchy riff and a flurry of drums, followed closely by Rob Thomas' very American voice, sometimes growly, always amazing. Anyone who knows Santana's ...
...This song is lively, catchy and the chorus ends with a line we can all relate to "I wish the real world would just stop hassling me". So true. Long Day starts off with soft guitar backed up again by Rob, and after a few seconds bursts into life with strong guitar and huge vocals once more. Has a slight religious theme, but you wouldn't even notice it without reading the lyrics as the chorus is nothing more than a jumble of words. Another great lyric ... Read review

Advantages: Great melodic music with all the trimmings - Powerfull and meaningfull.
Disadvantages: None, i really mean it, There arnt any!

...Matchbox Twenty – A Match made in heaven. <Introduction> Matchbox 20, probably one of the most unique bands ever to hit the music industry, being huge in America many of my readers will have heard of this band before, however in England, this is not the case, the band has had little or no publicity over here and so has not reached its full potential, and believe me…. This band has potential! The two albums that made the band in a similar way that Enema of the state made Blink 182 are “Yourself or someone like you” and the one that this opinion is about “Mad season”. <A little bit of history> Matchbox 20 had not always been known as Matchbox 20, they originally started out as Tabitha’s Secret. But due to a sudden departure of two of the band members, the remaining band members decided... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: sheer genius!
Disadvantages: didn't make it big here..

...expect?!), and might not be my most popular reads.. Ah, what the heck… So, who’s this Matchbox 20 I hear you asked? Well, if you’ve heard ‘Smooth’ by Santana feat. Rob Thomas, then you’re half-way there! Why? Well, it’s because Rob Thomas is the lead singer/songwriter for this excellent band! Anyway, upon its release in 1996, Matchbox 20’s debut album ‘Yourself and Someone Like You’(yep, long title for a debut album!!) didn’t seem like a sure-fire blockbuster, partially because in the wake of grunge and alternative-rock, it seemed a little too straightforward, anthemic, and typical mainstream. As it turned out, those were the very things that made it a huge success, mainly in the US!(it’s a pity that their debut single PUSH didn’t make it big here in the UK... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Amazing music for all moods
Disadvantages: Unknown in the UK

...Matchbox 20 are my favorite band and i recomend this album to everyone. I would describe the music as very unique which can be likened to nothing else, its a cross between soft rock, jazz and pop. This is one of those rare CD's where i love every single song, my favorite is mad season without a doubt! The music suits all ages and is great for any mood. The only disadvantage is that they are unheard of in the uk, why is this when they are huge in america? I have seen the band suppost Bon Jovi last year for the mad season tour and even though they only played a few songs, it was amazing and am going to see them soon for their more than you think you are tour. I think this album is the best out of their 3 as it has a more uplifting mood than their first album - yourself or someone like you. Having said that i recomend... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful