MY VIEW
Music: 'Something to Be' by Rob Thomas
By Jeremy Castillo
Special to The Advertiser
 |
The Verdict: 
THE RATINGS 5 — Outstanding: Add it to your collection now. A must-have. 4 — Great: Buy it or rent it — definitely play it. 3 — Good: Worth playing despite some flaws. 2 — Fair: Unless you're a fan of the license or series, don't bother. 1 — Poor: You'd have more fun playing Pong. |
Release: April 19
Style: Rock
Rewind: "Something to Be," "How a Heart Breaks"
My take: Matchbox twenty, led by singer/songwriter Rob Thomas, was one of the most popular bands of the '90s. The album "Yourself or Someone Like You" was released in 1996, spawned singles well into 1998 and has sold 12 million units. Despite that success, Thomas was a cog in a machine; he hadn't established any differ-entiation from the band. Yet.
That breakthrough came in 1999. His collaboration with Carlos Santana, "Smooth," off the 11-million-unit-selling album "Supernatural," won three Grammys: record of the year, best pop collaboration with vocals and song of the year, the last award Thomas shared with "Smooth" co-writer Itaal Shur. "Smooth" also became the most-played song on the radio and the most-played video on VH1 that year.
After the success of "Smooth," matchbox twenty released albums "Mad Season" in 2000 and "More Than You Think You Are" in 2002. Both generated a few singles that received heavy airplay, but the band failed to re-create its success of the mid-'90s.
When matchbox twenty decided to take a break from the business, Thomas went to work on "Something to Be," his first full-length solo endeavor. It's safe to assume that a hefty portion of sales will be generated by loyal matchbox twenty fans curious to see what Thomas can offer. What will be waiting for them is an album whose foundation sounds like it was created after reading "Matchbox Twenty 101." (Note: This book doesn't exist, but it would be better than my textbooks.)
"Problem Girl" is a prime example of this, as is "When the Heartache Ends." These songs sound just like old matchbox twenty tunes, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but because he's trying to make a name for himself, it's not that great either. What works here is that he has put honest effort into becoming his own artist, as the building upon the aforementioned foundation comes off as thorough and slick.
"Lonely No More" is poppy, hooky and synthesized — a far cry from the played-down grunge crunch we're used to hearing him singing over. The title track shows a fire in Thomas' voice and delivery that proves he wants to be his own man. "Streetcorner Symphony" is a unique track compared with the others, as it's an anthem of unity, with a tinge of a Motown sound, for all of his "sisters and brothers."
"Something to Be" is a good album. While there is enough individuality to plant a seed for a solid solo career for Thomas, he also stays true enough to his roots (for now at least) to keep his longtime fans from shouting "Sellout!"
Note: "Something to Be" is a DualDisc, which means there's a CD side and a DVD side. On this disc, the DVD side has a documentary on the album's recording, a photo and lyrics gallery, and other extras.
Jeremy Castillo is a student at Windward Community College. Have a game or CD you want to review? Reach TGIF editor Debra Yuen at dyuen@honoluluadvertiser.com.
