Matchbox Twenty
More Than You Think You Are
On Sale Now
For $13.75

When Florida’s matchbox twenty (then Matchbox 20) first burst on the scene back in 1996, I was hard-pressed to determine any difference between them, Third Eye Blind, and half a dozen other bands on the radio. Even after three insidiously hooky singles (“Push,” “3 A.M.,” and “Real World”), I wouldn’t have bet money anybody would remember who these guys were in 2002. But then in 1999 singer Rob Thomas collaborated with Santana on a little tune called “Smooth” and single-handedly boosted Carlos’ hipness quotient and raised his own level of celebrity a couple of notches. Now I still question whether matchbox twenty will be around for the long haul, but that’s mainly because More Than You Think You Are is likely to make him an even bigger star.

The celebrity collaboration continues on this disc as Mick Jagger drops in for a co-write on the album’s first single, “Disease.” He’s repaying a favor to Thomas, who appeared on his recent Goddess in the Doorway album (hilariously dubbed “Dogshit in the Doorway” by Keith Richards). With a lyric about leaving behind an addictive relationship, the tune does bear a resemblance to “Smooth” and is sweetened by a string section. It is by no means the highlight of the record however.

Much better is “Bright Lights,” a pretty, piano ballad nearly worthy of Elton John or Billy Joel. The steel guitar of veteran session pro Greg Leisz adds a nice touch and the song builds to include some nice axework from guitarists Kyle Cook and Adam Gaynor. Leisz also turns up on the tearjerker “Hand Me Down” which features drummer Paul Doucette on the mellotron and Cook on piano. Thomas’ rapid- fire vocals have character but he occasionally reverts to that cocky macho swagger that makes him sound like dozens of other singers in modern rock bands.

Elsewhere, “Unwell” has an incongruous touch of banjo, French horns, quiet verses and a terrific chorus. “I’m not crazy, I’m just a little unwell / I know right now you can’t tell / But stay awhile and maybe then you’ll see / A different side of me.”

Cook and Gaynor’s guitars sharpen “Cold” but it’s still pretty much the Rob Thomas show. “All I Need” is just a great pop song, not exactly profound but delivered with commitment and panache. “Life ain’t no beauty show / We don’t know where tomorrow ends / And when we’re sad / It’s kind of a drag,” Thomas sings.

But just when you think it may be time for a Rob Thomas solo record, Doucette comes up with the impressive “Could I Be You.” “Downfall” is impressive and ambitious as well but may be a tad too over the top and show-offy. It seems to have too much of everything: too much of Thomas’ vocal histrionics, too much of the big guitar sound, even a contrived, hand clapping gospel choir thrown in for good measure. The band is aiming for inspirational, but it unfortunately reminds me of when Foreigner did the same thing on “I Want To Know What Love Is.” Ick.

There are more big guitars on “Soul” and a nifty gang vocal chorus. The lyrics here again are not profound but they’re at least seemingly heartfelt. “It hits you so much harder / Than you ever thought it would / But you don’t worry / Cuz you got soul,” Thomas sings. More of his vocal posturing nearly mars “You’re So Real” though it features a brief but surprisingly pretty bridge part on which he shows off his vocal range.

More Than You Think You Are is matchbox twenty’s most versatile and accomplished record yet. It’s full of tunes that seem likely to enhance the legacy of the band and lengthen its reign on the pop charts.

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