More Than You Think You Are is definitely more than I thought it would be. Matchbox 20’s first CD, Yourself or Someone Like You, is a great CD, and I did not think their sophomore effort, Mad Season, lived up to its predecessor. More Than You Think You Are, however, blew me away.
The rock-influenced songs lare awesome and the slower songs grab you. Lyrically, the guys hit the nail on the head. Rob Thomas is an amazing writer, and when you put his words to the band’s music, you get an immense album. They play with old rock sounds, jazz and even gospel.
Matchbox 20 teamed up with producer Matt Serletic again and it proves in their favor. Many songs on this album grab at your gut and take you through many different emotions.
The first song, “Feel,” simply rocks. No doubt about it. It is heavy on the guitar and jams all the way through. “Feel” does not sound like a typical Matchbox 20 song and would make a good single to shock those who think that the band cannot rock. “Feel” is the best song on this CD and probably the best of Matchbox 20’s.
The band’s latest single “Disease” is track 2. Thomas co-wrote it with legendary rocker Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. A late 60s, early 70s rock vibe can absolutely be felt in it.
“Bright Lights” is the first slow song and is also good enough to be a single. It is about a guy whose girlfriend left and went to New York. The chorus of another track, “Unwell” is catchy and well written: “I’m not crazy, I’m just a little unwell/ I know right now you can’t tell/ But stay a while and maybe then you’ll see/ a different side of me/ I’m not crazy, I’m just a little impaired/I know right now you don’t care/ But soon enough you’re gonna think of me/ and how I used to be.”
Not surprisingly, the fifth track, “Cold,” could be released as well. It sounds like a typical Matchbox 20 song so of course it is good. “All I Need” is more upbeat and sounds like a song that could have been put out when the Beatles were at the height of their career. Once again this album surpasses the first two Matchbox 20 CDs. They flirt with different styles than they have before but stay close to the music they play best.
“Hand Me Down” is probably my favorite song. Yes it is slow, but if this song does not move you, you may need to get your heart unfrozen. “From what I’ve seen/ You’re just one more hand me down/ But no one’s tried to give you what you need/ Lay all your troubles down/ I’m with you now.” The music draws you in first, and once Thomas starts singing, you will stay for the ride.
Drummer Paul Doucette wrote Track 8 by himself. “Could I Be You” is just as amazing as all their songs are. Matchbox 20’s rock edge comes back on the next track, “Downfall.” The guys added a gospel choir at the end of this one, and the lyrics can even be taken as prayer. Mixing rock and gospel is not anything new, but for this band it is. It could be taken as a power ballad as well.
Guitarist Kyle Cook, Thomas and Doucette wrote “Soul” together and ended up with another hit. Cook’s powerful guitar actually outdoes Thomas’ soulful voice in this particular song.
“You’re So Real” sounds like a song right off an old Rolling Stones CD. The guys’ musical depth shines through once again on this track. Track 13, “The Difference,” is a great love song that reminds me of a Tom Petty song. When you think you have heard all there is to hear on “More Than You Think You Are” a bonus track plays shortly after “The Difference.”
“So Sad, So Lonely” gives off a rock-a-billy sound and ends the album on the high rock note that the CD stated with. It is another different sound for the guys but demonstrates that they are truly multitalented.
From beginning to end, Matchbox 20 gives us another amazing album. Full of musical and lyrical genius, the guys outdid themselves-or maybe they are just preparing us of what is to come.
“More Than You Think You Are” pours out Thomas’ soulful voice, Doucette’s driving drums that make you want to dance, bassist Brian Yales’ strong bass thumps, Cook’s powerful guitar rifts and wail and Adam Gaynor’s double guitar and piano duty reveals a band that deserve more credit than they have been given before.
If you are a fan of Matchbox 20 and have not bought this CD yet, why not? And if you are not a fan, buy this CD and you will become a fan. Matchbox 20 takes its listeners on a new powerful experience with “More Than You Think You Are.”