Matchbox Twenty - Yourself or Someone Like You - Music & Performance - CD

Hailing from Orlando, Florida, Matchbox 20 play heartfelt, melodic rock distinguished by emotive vocals and unforgettable hooks. Driven by the singing and songwriting of Ron Thomas, the group played the local club scene, opening for Hootie & the Blowfish, Letters to Cleo and others before coming to Lava's attention. The band's debut album, produced by Matt Serletic (Collective Soul), features the first single/video "Real World." Other emphasis tracks include "Long Day" and "Push."

Yourself or Someone Like You turned out to be the standard-bearer for post-alternative rock because it has a '90s sheen in its production, but, for all the world, its core sounds like classic rock. Lead singer/songwriter Rob Thomas adopted some of Eddie Vedder's vocal mannerisms, but they were smoothed out, lacking the angst and pain that were Vedder's hallmark. Matchbox Twenty functioned much the same way, picking up at Pearl Jam's fascination for album rock, but deciding to stick to the classic blueprint instead of personalizing it. All of this resulted in a record that is much more straightforward than most alt-rock albums, even if it follows the pattern of a classic '90s album -- not just in its production dynamics, but down to the acoustic-based slow number that closes the record. It blends the most familiar elements of the two golden eras of album-oriented rock, finding a balance that is comfortable for mainstream fans of either side. Other bands with similar sounds that could have done the same thing, yet Matchbox Twenty distanced themselves from the pack with sturdy songs and fairly strong hooks, all delivered forcefully with Thomas' distinctive bravado. Their music is not flashy, nor is it as ingratiating as Third Eye Blind's pop instincts. It is, however, solid, American rock, reminiscent of a blend of Petty and Pearl Jam. So, it shouldn't have been surprising when the album found a wide audience. For many observers it was still unexpected, because the sound seemed a little plain. What they didn't realize was that Yourself or Someone Like You wound up being the point where mainstream American rock stopped being willfully eccentric and returned to being unassuming and kind of ordinary. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Performer	Matchbox Twenty
Music genre	Rock
Music subgenre	Indie/Alternative
Media format	CD
Original release date	1996
Language	English
Is collectible	Y
Has parental advisory label	N
Number of discs	1
Awards won	Certified Multi-Platinum (12 times) by the RIAA
Track listing	Real World, Long Day, 3 Am, Push, Girl Like That, Back 2 Good, Damn, Argue, Kody, Busted, Shame, Hang
Record label	Atlantic
Composer	MATCHBOX TWENTY
Songwriter	songwriter
Music producer	Matt Serletic
Track name	Real World, Long Day, Push, 3AM, Back 2 Good
Music media format	CD
Is edited	N
Is enhanced	N