ARTS & EVENTS

Solo But Not Alone: Rob Thomas, 'Cradlesong'

CradlesongI'M NOT SURE you could count "Cradlesong", Rob Thomas' sophomore album, or his debut, 2005's "Something to Be," as true solo albums.

Instead, the Matchbox 20 frontman has traded one band for another, and the backing on his solo efforts feels even bigger and more intricate than the M20 releases. The album's first single, "Her Diamonds", layers chimes, keyboards, and other electronic doodads over an uptempo drumbeat, while Thomas' vocals are joined by inane female harmonies and a gospel-style backing choir. Hardly "solo."

"Cradlesong" is another album about shaky relationships, closer stylistically to the dance-pop of his first solo release than the adult-alternapop of Matchbox 20. That statement — in addition to holding no surprises — contains enough information for most people to decide if this is an album to acquire or avoid.

Matchbox 20 has alienated as many listeners as it has won over with its croonfully bland soft-rock, and Thomas' first solo outing — which sold absurdly well and topped pop charts nation- and worldwide — still felt like a guy trying to hop onto the Justin Timberlake bandwagon, wriggling his way into dance clubs and Top 40 stations.

What is more interesting, though, is Thomas' ability to maintain a solo persona distinct from that of his band. Matchbox 20 existed as a faceless entity for years, until Thomas' "Smooth" collaboration with Santana gave him an individual identity — and a ridiculous amount of radio airplay. Thomas didn't jump into a solo career immediately (or permanently: M20 still tours and records), and when he did, the sound was notably different from M20. It might not be exactly "solo", but he was wise to brand it separately.

The biggest distinction is that these solo records show Thomas letting loose from the mellow restraint of M20: songs like "Her Diamonds" and "Give Me the Meltdown" are just bursting at the seams, as is the booty-shaking "Real World '09" (don't be fooled by its suggestive title: this is not an updated version of the 1998 Matchbox 20 hit "Real World"). Thomas sounds downright creepy (and stalker-ish) on "Still Ain't Over You", and "Hard On You" sways with a lilting calypso rhythm.

While there is more here sonically to grab onto here than with M20, these are still mainstream songs aimed at a mainstream audience, with all the lyrical platitudes to match. The choruses of "Someday" soar with all the insipidity of a Hallmark card: "Maybe someday we'll figure all this out / Try to put an end to all our doubt / Try to find a way to make things better."

And if that weren't bad enough, there's a group sing-along at the end that sounds more forced than a campfire rendition of "Kum-Bay-Ya."

It may be better than Matchbox 20, but that certainly isn't setting the bar very high.

Written by Express contributor Catherine Lewis
Photo courtesy Atlantic Records

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COMMENTS (10)

  • Please, Express, learn how to criticize albums outside of the term "overproduced".

    By GG , Posted June 29, 2009 10:39 AM

  • The word "overproduced" does not appear in this review.

    By C , Posted June 29, 2009 11:02 AM

  • I couldn't disagree more. The critic is playing with semantics when arguing over the term "solo". You know what is meant by that term and implying that the songwriter/singer must sing alone is ridiculous. I think this is a great album with more than it's share of inspired lyrics to make up for the one weak chorus on "Someday". The driving rock of "Still Ain't Over You", the scathing humor of "Wonderful" with its great use of brass to match the brassy lyrics, the depth and tribal feel of "Fire on the Mountain", the pain of "Snowblind", all weave a wonderful musical journey. I definitely think this belongs in everyone's CD player this summer!

    By Stan , Posted June 29, 2009 11:55 AM

  • Another critic more interested in hearing their own voice than saying anything worthwhile. :rolleyes:

    The whole review smacks of jealousy IMO, which is so not a good look.

    By Cake , Posted June 29, 2009 2:08 PM

  • You Rob Thomas fans should band together and go have a listening party somewhere -- preferably deep in the woods so nobody has to hear dude's crap music. You can drink a little Miller Lite, rub your chubby tummies and sing Matchbox 20 songs a cappella. Sounds like a pasty-person hootenanny.

    By Heywood Jablomi , Posted June 29, 2009 3:10 PM

  • Well, Heywood, you're a pleasant fellow. Sorry to disappoint, but I don't drink Miller, never feel the need to rub my oh so svelte tummy, and you don't want to hear me sing. However, I will be buying this CD tomorrow and will be adding it to my collection of music that encompasses the indiest of indies to the rock classics. Thomas is a master songwriter & tunesmith. Maybe, if you actually give it a listen, you might learn something about crafting a stimulating, cohesive thought.

    By Cam , Posted June 29, 2009 5:26 PM

  • I'm not gonna lie, this review did nothing but piss me off.
    Did you SERIOUSLY just bash Rob Thomas and the solo albums because he doesn't sing by himself?! Goodness, how lame can you get? You don't bash an album and tell people not to buy it for some idiotic nonsense such as that!
    Learn to write a freakin' review!

    By Chubs , Posted June 29, 2009 8:31 PM

  • Let's be honest, the author of this review already had some sort of grudge against Thomas before even listening to the album, so I completely disregarded it and bought the album anyway. I thought Cradle Songs was a great effort, some really strong points in his songwriting, but over all, most of it was fairly predictable musically, leaving me to rely on his lyrics to get me through the odd song. And to be honest, I lol'd when I heard Someday, I definetly got that hallmark feel.

    By Bear , Posted June 30, 2009 11:16 AM

  • I couldn't disagree more. I think the album is just bursting with Rob's talent.- Although I must say, I do like his solo projects better than his matchbox 20 projects- but , I like both! (I've seen matchbox 20 3 times and Rob, solo twice). His solo projects, AI was thinking though may be more suited to the "chicks". - expecially the new album- but I'm a chick and I love every song on the album!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    By jodi , Posted July 1, 2009 7:07 PM

  • Cradlesong is wonderful!

    Rob is very talented, unlike the critic writing this petty review.
    I say to her: "Let's hear your best efforts" . . . that's what I thought, no talent, just petty criticism.

    By rtfan , Posted July 15, 2009 1:47 PM
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