Matchbox Twenty

North (Warner)

For the last decade Matchbox Twenty have been filling stadiums and commercial radio with big hooks and big CD sales. Here Rob Thomas continues to craft songs that feel somehow familiar despite being brand spanking newbie’s. Strangely, this is the first Matchbox Twenty record of entirely new material in a decade [yes, we know 2006’s Exile On Mainstream had six new tunes]. I guess radio keeps playing the old stuff so it feels like they’ve never been away. Much of the album is what you’d expect, clever adult pop that doesn’t really move you. The ace in the sleeve is the single She’s So Mean which has more grit than much of their back catalogue put together. If you liked the old stuff, you should love this. Stand out cuts include ‘Sleeping At The Wheel’ and Put Your Hands Up.

[rating: 3/5]

Andrew White