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Post by singingsparrow on Jul 12, 2007 19:14:25 GMT -5
www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003605892I'm surprised this slipped us by the past two weeks but, better late than never! The lead single information for their retrospective record is here! :) * matchbox twenty Breaks From 'Exile' With New Tunes Rob ThomasJune 29, 2007, 4:05 PM ET
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y."After a long hiatus to allow frontman Rob Thomas to release his first solo album, "Something To Be," the members of matchbox twenty have completed a month's worth of sessions in Los Angeles to record new songs for an upcoming retrospective.
Thomas tells Billboard.com that "Exile on Mainstream," due Oct. 2 via Atlantic, could include as many as six new cuts produced by Steve Lillywhite, plus 11 prior hits. Among the new tunes are the upbeat first single "How Far We've Come," "I'll Believe You When..." ("It's like our Pretenders song," he says of the latter), the '50s-leaning "Can't Let You Go" and "These Hard Times."
"This is different than any record we've made, and different than my solo record," says Thomas, who had never collaborated on the songwriting with his bandmates. "We got together for a week at my house and we all had song ideas, but they didn't sound like what we wanted to play together. Between that vibe and working with Steve, it's a much more raw, energetic, live-sounding record than we've done in the past."
In another twist, Paul Doucette, who had previously been the band's drummer, is now playing rhythm guitar as a replacement for Adam Gaynor, who left matchbox in 2005. "Over the last two or three years, he started playing more guitar and keyboard," Thomas says. "One day, he just said, listen, I'd rather not play drums anymore. He's actually a better guitar player than our old guitar player was."
Thomas, who just launched a new record label with Epic and released a documentary about the experience of recording solo, says matchbox twenty will return to the road beginning in January. "We'll do some one-offs before then, like TV shows," he reports. "We're also playing an Andre Agassi charity event in Las Vegas."
Next summer, Thomas will begin work on his second solo disc, and says he hopes matchbox will be back in the studio in 2009 to record a new album."* This is exactly what I was hoping to hear regarding their best-of collection; plenty of new songs to tide us over until the next studio album, even if another Rob Thomas solo project comes first. Sincerely, Noah Eaton
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blurple
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Post by blurple on Jul 12, 2007 19:25:27 GMT -5
First single! YES! I'm so excited!!!
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Kid Pulse
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Post by Kid Pulse on Jul 12, 2007 19:51:08 GMT -5
Matchbox Twenty is my favorite band. I can't WAIT to hear this!!
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Rumors
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Post by Rumors on Jul 12, 2007 21:17:04 GMT -5
Someone posted on Rob's board that WPLJ in NY announced that MB20 played the new songs last night. Maybe a listening party for label and/or radio people?
When do you think the single will hit radio if the album is to come out on 10/2? Last week in August possibly?
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Kid Pulse
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Post by Kid Pulse on Jul 12, 2007 22:05:16 GMT -5
When do you think the single will hit radio if the album is to come out on 10/2? Last week in August possibly? Rob released "Lonley no More" about three months prior to his solo album release, but that was a little different than a "reterospective" album, IMO.
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Rumors
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Post by Rumors on Jul 13, 2007 4:53:23 GMT -5
This is what the listening party was about. I really like the sound of the new songs that we've heard so far. A sneak preview of Matchbox Twenty's comeback sound Jul 12, 2007, 03:38 PM | by Shirley Halperin Categories: Music I’m a sucker for a good pop hit, no matter how quaint, formulaic or nonsensical (I’m lookin’ at you, Rihanna). But there’s something even more alluring about a song with substance, which is kind of how I’ve always viewed Rob Thomas as a songwriter and Matchbox Twenty as a band. Back in the late '90s and early part of this decade, their music was everywhere: the supermarket, the drug store, elevators, on the line while holding for the credit card company and, of course, all over the radio. But one place you’d never hear a Matchbox tune? A TV ad. Sure, “Smooth,” Rob’s Grammy-winning duet with Santana, would’ve been great for selling Schicks, but he and the band have always staunchly opposed licensing their songs for products -- a tough stance in today’s strained music business, where making money through traditional outlets is tougher than ever. Over the years, I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time with Thomas who, any journalist will tell you, is about the most charming, outgoing and funny guy to have sold 28 million albums (his 2005 solo disc included). And so when I heard that there was new Matchbox music in the works, I jumped at the chance to hear it for myself and headed “over the hill,” as we LA folk like to say, to NRG Studios in North Hollywood. There, I found Thomas bemoaning his broken Guitar Hero video game and debating Paris Hilton’s recent appearance on Larry King Live. And, after a month of recording on the opposite coast from where he lives, he was missing his wife and dogs terribly. But Thomas' mood was quickly lifted once producer Steve Lilywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band) loaded up six freshly-mixed songs into the console. Starting off with "How Far We’ve Come,” a rousing, pop-rock romp with a distinct “Born to Run” vibe, then segueing into the old soul feel of “Can’t Let You Go” and the Pretenders-inspired “I’ll Believe You When…,” it was immediately apparent that this was a different Matchbox 20 than the one we’ve come to know. There’s good reason for it, too. For one thing, this is the first time Thomas and the band have worked with someone other than their longtime producer Matt Serletic, and the change has opened their range. At the same time, Lilywhite honed in on a sound that’s current, yet easily digestible to an adult audience. And, dare I say, very rock. Also, Paul Doucette, who had been the band’s drummer, switched to guitar (replacing Adam Gaynor, who left a couple years back), and finally, the six new songs were written by the band as a whole, as opposed to Thomas alone. All this has resulted in some pretty surprising sounds, which the public will get to hear come October 2, when Matchbox release their greatest hits package, Exile on Mainstream. So do we have to label the return of Matchbox Twenty as part of some impending (or ever constant) '90s revival, as my good friend and Huffington Post contributor Paul Bonanos noted in his enlightening take on “The Speed of Retro”? Or, I wondered after the playback, as I watched Thomas struggle to keep up with Jane’s Addiction’s “Stop” on his just-delivered, brand-spanking new copy of Guitar Hero (see pic above), can we simply acknowledge quality, middle of the road music for what it is? Considering how fresh and un-dated Matchbox's new music sounds, I'm hoping for the latter. What say you, PopWatchers? popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2007/07/the-return-of-m.htmlSongs so far- “ How Far We’ve Come,”; a rousing, pop-rock romp with a distinct “Born to Run” vibe; rocking tune “Can’t Let You Go”; 50s-leaning; old soul feel “I’ll Believe You When"; Pretenders-inspired "These Hard Times"
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Post by unicorns on Jul 13, 2007 10:57:02 GMT -5
OMGZ I can't wait I've missed them so much!
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shocker
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Post by shocker on Jul 14, 2007 22:42:26 GMT -5
I'm really looking forward to hearing the new Matchbox material. We've waited too long for some fresh material from them.
My question is - will they keep the Matchbox Twenty name ("twenty" spelled out), or will they go back to the number 20. Could they possibly consider calling themselves "Matchbox XX"? That name would certainly give them an "adult" title - if you know what I mean! ;)
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blurple
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Post by blurple on Jul 15, 2007 0:14:55 GMT -5
Matchbox XX, I like that, lol.
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NORTHCOAST
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Post by NORTHCOAST on Jul 15, 2007 11:10:02 GMT -5
I'm really looking forward to hearing the new Matchbox material. We've waited too long for some fresh material from them. My question is - will they keep the Matchbox Twenty name ("twenty" spelled out), or will they go back to the number 20. Could they possibly consider calling themselves "Matchbox XX"? That name would certainly give them an "adult" title - if you know what I mean! ;) I had the same thought about XX. Hope not though! I think they'll stick to Twenty. I remember reading that they changed it because there were so many bands with numbers in their names that they didn't want to be just part of a crowd. I thought a good name for their greatest hits album would be "20/Twenty". It would acknowledge their "name" change but also be a play on 20/20 vision. I really don't like the "Exile on Mainstream" title since it sounds like they are making fun of themselves. Enough people make fun of their sound as being too mainstream and uncool. I don't think they should bring attention to it with the name of the album. I think they think it's funny, but I wish they didn't jump on the bandwagon of people making fun of their music.
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NORTHCOAST
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Post by NORTHCOAST on Jul 16, 2007 16:49:25 GMT -5
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Post by singingsparrow on Jul 16, 2007 17:08:23 GMT -5
The audio isn't top quality in the clip (can't quite make out the lyrics) but it's easily their more up-tempo and energetic sounding single since "Real World" I believe. I like this upon first impression, but not as much as several other recent single releases of theirs including "Bright Lights" and "Last Beautiful Girl". Having said that, I give this a thumbs-up. Very bouncy-sounding for a matchbox twenty song, and will easily dominate this format. It's performance on CHR/Pop will be a bigger question mark. Sincerely, Noah Eaton
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blurple
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Post by blurple on Jul 16, 2007 17:58:12 GMT -5
I was driving when I heard this, LOL. I almost got into an accident from excitement! I like the song although I don't think it's as strong as their other singles! It's so good hearing something new from them though. I can see myself loving the song after a few more listens.
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shocker
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Post by shocker on Jul 17, 2007 5:14:45 GMT -5
I was driving when I heard this, LOL. I almost got into an accident from excitement! I like the song although I don't think it's as strong as their other singles! It's so good hearing something new from them though. I can see myself loving the song after a few more listens. I have to agree. I wasn't all that impressed with it upon 1st listen, but maybe it'll get more favorable when it becomes a big radio hit.
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WotUNeed
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Post by WotUNeed on Jul 17, 2007 10:50:39 GMT -5
I like this. I would already rank it as neither my favorite nor least favorite MB20 single. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and get the album when it comes out.
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NORTHCOAST
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Post by NORTHCOAST on Jul 17, 2007 10:56:01 GMT -5
A note from Rob on his website:
hey guys. just did a plj interview and thought that now that a new song was out, it was a good time to write my peeps! where to start? well, for the single, we all wrote it together. it's me singing lead, with paul, kyle AND pookie singing some bgv. paul and ryan are playing two kits at the same time. (the only one paul plays on) the record will have 6 new songs on it. i'll admit that it was a direct response from coming on here and hearing how dissapointed you were with waiting so long and only getting one new song. now, even though you've heard the new single, there's still a lot more new stuff to hear. and we're just as excited about the others as the first single. it was a hard decision what to go with first. i have to say that we had more fun making this than we've ever had, and can't wait to make more music together. i'll talk to you guys soon! MATCHBOX IS DEAD! LONG LIVE MATCHBOX!!!!!!
I'm glad they're doing other singles from this new release. :) :)
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Pipa
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Post by Pipa on Jul 17, 2007 11:38:38 GMT -5
I like it, and it's better than Disease, although it strangely reminds me of Fall Out Boy.
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Chase
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Post by Chase on Jul 17, 2007 12:00:17 GMT -5
I like this more with each listen. It almost has a ska-like quality to it. Very upbeat, and very different for this band...I like it enough, but I hope that the other five songs don't sound like this.
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Post by roccorivers on Jul 17, 2007 13:19:07 GMT -5
So psyched to hear new stuff from this band
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jonathan
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Post by jonathan on Jul 17, 2007 13:48:23 GMT -5
Its alright. I prefer all their previous 1st singles to this one. Perhaps a cd quality version will make me appreciate it more.
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Post by thirddegree50123 on Jul 17, 2007 14:54:00 GMT -5
Matchbox is probably my favorite band also but I'm really not feeling this song. The verses are fine but the chorus just doesn't do it for me. Also, I think there should have been a prechorus. I think it goes from verse to chorus to verse too quickly. Honestly, I don't see this doing better than any of Rob's solo hits here and I certainly don't see it being a pop hit. I'm very disappointed with this song. It also would've been nice if they'd waited a bit. Rob seems to be becoming the Rihanna of Hot AC. Plus, they could've seen some better sales if they held the album until the holidays. But I think even that would've been too soon.
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roamer
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Post by roamer on Jul 17, 2007 18:08:24 GMT -5
I think the song and the album are being rushed out because Atlantic doesn't have any big name releases on the schedule for the 4th quarter and something is better than nothing when it comes to record sales. I also think that the rumors about Lyor Cohen being pushed out might have something to do with the rush job. They probably want to get the record out before a possible new regime comes in.
Rob said in the interview that they didn't have a lot of time to record the single and I take him at his word. I don't like the repeated chorus at the end and I think the lyrics are a little simplistic, but I think it has a good beat and a lot of energy. I will take a not so great song by Matchbox Twenty over 99% of what is being played on the radio today.
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Post by unicorns on Jul 17, 2007 18:36:04 GMT -5
I like it! Not their best of course, but it's still cool.
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Kid Pulse
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Post by Kid Pulse on Jul 17, 2007 20:49:59 GMT -5
I didn't hear the whole thing, but it sounds promising. I didn't like "Little Wonders" at all on my first listen, but it ended up becoming a favorite.
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NORTHCOAST
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Post by NORTHCOAST on Jul 17, 2007 21:23:38 GMT -5
I think the song and the album are being rushed out because Atlantic doesn't have any big name releases on the schedule for the 4th quarter and something is better than nothing when it comes to record sales. I also think that the rumors about Lyor Cohen being pushed out might have something to do with the rush job. They probably want to get the record out before a possible new regime comes in. Rob said in the interview that they didn't have a lot of time to record the single and I take him at his word. I don't like the repeated chorus at the end and I think the lyrics are a little simplistic, but I think it has a good beat and a lot of energy. I will take a not so great song by Matchbox Twenty over 99% of what is being played on the radio today. I feel the same way about the repeated chorus at the end. Like they ran out of lyrics and had to keep singing it over and over. It's growing on me but have to hear it more to make a good judgment. I do miss the early MB20 stuff where Rob's lyrics told stories that seemed so personal yet universal. Songs like Crutch, Push, Hang, etc. Songs that conjured up an image in my head. This seems to be alot of beat and fragmented lyrics, but no story. But Rob's been moving away from his early style for a while, so I shouldn't be surprised. And Rob said that this was a group effort on the meolody and lyrics too, not just the instrumentation like on previous albums. I can't wait to see the video for this. And it is nice to hear Rob mention other singles to come from this new EP/Best Of compilation. He said they had a hard time deciding which to be the lead single, so that sounds promising. Some albums have ONE possible single and that's it. Any predictions for how high this will go on Hot AC?
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Kid Pulse
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Post by Kid Pulse on Jul 17, 2007 21:33:26 GMT -5
^ I think it will hit top 5, but will probably be blocked from the top 3 by the likes of Daughtry, Maroon 5, Lifehouse (if "Broken" gets there in time), and Nickelback's next single (I think will leap-frog this when it comes out). I guess I think it will peak at #4.
What do you think?
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blurple
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Post by blurple on Jul 17, 2007 22:01:07 GMT -5
This would go #1 in a week in my station (Chicago, WTMX). LOL! I'm always hearing it every time I tune in. I'm sure though that they'll do the same with Wake Up Call and Over You. ;) I'm loving the new songs being added now.
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Kid Pulse
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Post by Kid Pulse on Jul 17, 2007 22:35:55 GMT -5
It's already bigger than "Sober" ;)
63 MATCHBOX TWENTY How Far We've Come 2007 Melisma/Atlantic 68 0 68 0.732
I might have to change my prediction, because this is going to become a hit so much earlier than most of those songs (esp. Lifehouse and Nickelback). :)
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Chase
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Post by Chase on Jul 17, 2007 22:41:28 GMT -5
It's already bigger than "Sober" ;) 63 MATCHBOX TWENTY How Far We've Come 2007 Melisma/Atlantic 68 0 68 0.732 I might have to change my prediction, because this is going to become a hit so much earlier than most of those songs (esp. Lifehouse and Nickelback). :) Kid Pulse, what's your source for the chart position? I usually go by R&R and they haven't posted that yet. Are there discrepencies among charts? Thanks for the help on this one.
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Kid Pulse
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Post by Kid Pulse on Jul 17, 2007 22:51:08 GMT -5
^ At the top of the Hot AC area here on Pulse, it says "Hot AC/Triple A Charts". Click on there, and then click on the Hot AC rolling chart (that's the one that they update everyday).
I follow R&R sometimes, but they only do the top 40 I thought.
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