Something to Be - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
It's common knowledge that solo albums are simply an excuse for a frustrated band member to indulge their experimental sides and Rob Thomas, singer for decidedly M.O.R. multiplatinum rockers Matchbox Twenty is not one to pass on the opportunity. Having already explored the classic rock thing through his collaborations with Mick Jagger and Santana, Thomas goes the other way here with results that are unexpected, and, sometimes totally unbelievable. He veers from modern R&B on the Justin Timberlake-aping "Lonely No More" to vintage prog-rock in "All That I Am," touching on all points in between. There are a few nods to the Matchbox canon with "Ever the Same" and "This Is How a Heart Breaks" but, as the title suggests, this is an album about finding himself. For the moment, Thomas is still searching. The DualDisc portion features 5.1 surround sound, a 20-minute documentary on the making of the album by filmmaker Gillian Grisman, plus the holiday tune, "Christmas in New York." --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description
As the lead singer to the multi-platinum group matchbox 20, Rob Thomas penned a remarkable string of chart-topping hits. Rob has also collaborated with a select list of artists-most notably Santana, for whom he wrote and sang the smash pop single, "Smooth," which earned Thomas three Grammy Awards.

Customer Reviews: Read 234 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Thomas breaks out with a "latin/funk/soul/blues" CD! April 19, 2005
171 out of 188 found this review helpful

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty fame proves himself a winner in his own right with his first album on Melisma/Atlantic records in a DualDisc format. Rob's voice is strong, masculine, propulsive and dynamic-yet beautiful and even vulnerable sounding at times. Some have already written that this CD is an uneven set of tracks without a solid base or theme-but they are wrong. This album rocks! Rob successfully experiments with several types of musical arrangements and themes about love and general inner peace and happiness on this album. The experiment succeeds and leaves you with a collection of catchy songs that you'll want to listen to over and over again! When I first heard it I was extremely impressed with how well the album held my attention and how strong Rob's voice was. Although Rob has been quoted as saying this is a CD full of songs in the styles of "latin/funk/soul/blues," the combination and the way the songs are arranged is extremely pleasing to the ear and not at all out of control as one writer implied.

The CD starts off strong with "This Is How A Heart Breaks." The song has a catchy beat with an excellent musical arrangement. Rob displays REAL emotion while this song rocks! The title track, "Something To Be," starts with an eclectic musical intro-good guitar! Here Rob sings about a man who is looking for "something to be"-a song of pain and the natural need for machismo-not to mention the general human need to feel important. "Streetcorner Symphony" has an excellent guitar intro as well. This song has a certain feeling not unlike some songs The Grateful Dead performed-very soulful and at the same time very positive. This is a song that's full of hope for overall inner peace, harmony with others and an exciting love.

Then of course there's the hit song "Lonely No More." "Lonely No More" is only the second song ever on the Adult Top 40 chart to boast over 1,000 plays in a single week. As of this writing "Lonely No More" had already reached #1 in Canada as well as hitting the No 2 spot in the U.S. this week at Adult Top 40/Hot AC. The song also hit #13 at CHR/Pop-and all this before the CD was even released! WOW!

The CD ends with "Now Comest The Night." It has a beautiful piano intro, and this is a beautiful love song which ends the CD side of the album in a very touching way.

Note that this is a relatively new type of product which is called a "DualDisc" CD. Once you listen to the songs on one side of the disc, you turn it over to see some DVD footage! There's some great footage and one highlight is definitely the behind the scenes documentary by filmmaker Gillian Grisman entitled "In Session." This shows the recording and songwriting sessions for the CD. You even get a photo gallery and lyrics! A nice plus.

In my opinion, Rob's work is enhanced even further by his teaming up with other artists on this CD. Look for Wendy Melvoin from Prince & the Revolution; she's on board as a steel guitarist here. Some of Dr. Dre's band show up (I'll let you find out who!) and John Mayer helps out on guitar. Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) performs here, too. There are several people performing background vocals on this CD including Dan Tyminski, Harley Allen, Matt Serletic, Matt Beck, Great Anointing and Pat Enright. The arrangements are smart and very well thought out; there's even a shofar-a Jewish musical instrument, played by Frank London! Very eclectic, imaginative, and bold.

All in all, you can't go wrong with this solo debut from Rob Thomas. The CD is an impressive first solo effort and if this is a sign of things to come, I can only wonder how much longer we have to wait for the NEXT Thomas CD!

5 out of 5 stars

Something To Be is really something special April 19, 2005
71 out of 81 found this review helpful

Rob Thomas is such a talented songwriter and musician. He proves it on this solo debut. I liked the documentary featured on the bonus DVD about the making of the album. Rob gives credit to all the musicians who worked on this album. The DVD also features pictures of Rob writing and composing music. I love to see an artist at work, so I liked these photos.

My favorite track is the first single Lonely No More. This song is about how actions speak louder than words when it comes to relationships. and love. I also enjoyed This is How A Breaks. These first two songs have so much energy because of the awesome drum playing by Gerald Heyward. The title track has the universal message that we all search for an sense of identity and purpose in our lives. All That I Am is beautiful song about the sacrifices people are willing to make for the people they love and the things they believe in. I love the steel lap guitar playing by Robert Randolph on this track. He gives this song a spiritual and mystical sound.

Another highlight on this album for me. is the track Street Corner Symphony. This song is about accepting people from all cultures and just about celebrating life. The trumpet playing by Gary Grant gives this song a fun playful quality. My My My is a very deep philosophical song about how a person's influence and achievements can live on after they die. This is a song shows the depth Rob Thomas has as a songwriter. Here Comest The Night is a very moving song that showcases Rob's skill on the piano. I really enjoyed listening to this album and watching the DVD.

5 out of 5 stars

"Nobody Wants to Be Just One Thing" April 24, 2005
38 out of 41 found this review helpful

Granted, this album is a departure from what Matchbox 20 fans are used to, but that's because this isn't a MB20 album.

"I didn't want to go into this record with any idea of what it was going to be like. My only pre-conceived idea was that I didn't want to make a matchbox record with different musicians. I'm already in a great rock band, so if I just made another rock record with two guitarists, a bass player, a drummer, and keyboards, it would be redundant and I wouldn't have been using my time to do something creative and new. It was about having done this for so long at a really high level and still having no idea what I was capable of doing. It was the idea of really finding out things about myself that I've never touched on. I don't want to be just one thing; nobody wants to be just one thing. This record is me trying to step out of that. It is about me trying to find... something to be."

By now, we know to expect quality songwriting from Rob Thomas, and this album delivers no matter how you feel about a particular track's style. This album is really incredible, largely due to Thomas smashing genre rules to simply write and play good music.
Here are my musings...

1: This Is How A Heart Breaks
Initially, this was my least favorite song. I felt that the background vocals were lacking. However, the song's full of energy, and I couldn't help but enjoy it. After listeing to the album several times, I really like this because it sets the tone for the album--introsepctive musings on what life's all about.

2. Lonely No More
MB20 fans, the intro alone might scare you off, but try to get through it! Now, I admit this song is a little... boy bandish, and not at all my usual preference of style. It really does have an Enrique Iglesias ring to it, and during the chorus you might think of the Backstreet Boys. BUT... Rob prevails in writing a truly good song--it's catchy with great lyrics. And it sounds like he had a lot of fun with this track. When I listen to this song, I feel like it would be used in a film soundtrack--some fun spot where the character are singing along. You really can't stay in a bad mood with this song playing.

3. Ever the Same
Definitely one of my favorite tracks of this album. Fabulous Rob Thomas lyrics and a beautiful melody. . And this is much more of a love song than most of his previous endeavors. Definitely one for the wifey--instead of his more usual musings on wanting love from someone else, he sings on the flipside, about being the person than can be counted upon.

4. I Am An Illusion
For whatever reason, this strikes me as the most experimental track. While again, you've got classic Rob Thomas lyrics, this edgey and driven song features a more dissonant accompaniment (that sometimes reminds me of cars honking). Listen for the sample of Bessie Jones's "O Death". Overall, this song makes me think of the fairy in moulin rougue that visits the guys after they've taken too much absens, but I enjoy that.

5. When the Heartache Ends
Acoustic guitar! This song is another favorite--it made me realize that one reason I like Rob Thomas so much is that he sings tunes a lot of men might shy away from. There are parts of this song where I could totally see a female singing this--think Eva Cassidy covering Time After Time. But he doesn't worry about being too sappy or emotional, and really with his incredible voice he doesn't need to worry. This has a little retro singer/songwriter feel--the kind of track where you can't help but sway along.

6. Something to Be
We hear Rob in a little higher pitch here, which he carries out beautifully. Obviously, this title song is not an earth shattering concept by any means. But it's genuine and universal. It might give a glimpse into his life, but most everyone who hears it should be able to identify with these lyrics. Interestingly, instead of the more usual crooning about a relationship being his entire hope and salvation, he turns inward and contemplates the person he's become or should be. I really enjoy this song.

7. All That I Am
Wow--this is much different than anything we've ever heard from Rob, and it's my favorite song on the entire album. This is like experimental world music. It features the shofar (Hebrew ram's horn), kanun (Turkish stringed instrument), and duduk (Armenian wind instrument). The resulting sound is just gorgeous--it often gives an Asian feel. Think Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon). Besides this being an exceptionally beautiful piece of music with meaningful words, the music truly complements the lyrics--the use of metaphor and nature just soaks up the accompanying sound. You'll fall in love on this track.

8. Problem Girl
Another beautiful melody, another favorite of mine. The lyrics bring me back to the days of You or Somone Like You--I think of the song "Kody". Really, what's a Rob Thomas album without an emotional true to life piece written to a girl? So many girls are going to listen to the words and love it--it's another universal message.

9. Fallin' To Pieces
When this track starts up, it's lightly U2esque. For a lot of people, it might be the kind of song that you'll skip over if you don't give it some time to grow on you. There's a definite tune here, but it wanders a little more than most of the other tracks. If I had to pick a least favorite track--this would be it, but it's just because it doesn't resonate with me like the other songs.

10. My My My
MY MY MY is RIGHT! Oh, I just adore this song--Thomas' signature sexy voice grabs you right from the start. He gets so emotional, yet never whiny. This is likely my personal fave style for Rob to sing, because it makes such good use of his talent. Along with his truly incredible songwriting skills, his voice is one of the most incredible voices out there. He's not just making sounds and flat notes, I mean, he uses his voice as an instrument that imparts actual depth and feeling. Lyrically, it's along the lines of Something to Be without the grittiness--this is a much softer reflection, also sung to another rather than about himself and his own struggles with becoming.

11. Streetcorner Symphony
Oh my gosh, this song rocks and it's soo much fun! I totally see a car commercial using this... the lyrics could probably be called cheesy but it's a very good variety of sappiness. Rob just kinda belts this out, and it's great. It's definitely once of those people-come-together-rock-out-love-one-another kind of tunes, but it's actually one that works!

12. Now Comest the Night
And he does it again, folks! What a perfect last song. Slow ballad, reminiscent of early matchbox 20 with an extra bit of soul and (we all love this!) prominent piano. This is a cafe song. A goodnight song. A goodbye song.

You know, I can't express how incredible this album is--I just don't think I expected this venture to be so much better than the MB20 work! It's the kind of album that I listen to all the time now, and I can't imagine how I was living without it :) It's the perfectly rare solo album.

1 out of 5 stars

Dont Buy this CD!! May 7, 2005
19 out of 33 found this review helpful

I am one of the few people that buys all of his music (instead of illegal downloading) because I want to support the artists that I like. When I buy a CD I always make a copy so I can burn a back-up, play it in my portable player, make my own mixed cd,etc. These new "Dual Discs CANNOT be copied/ripped on a computer!!!!! I have tried 4 different programs and it wont work. In my opinion it ruins the way that I want to use the music I purchased. I will NEVER again buy a dual disc. What sense does it make if you cant listen to the music the way that you want to enjoy it.

BE WARNED. BOYCOTT THE DUAL DISC!

1 out of 5 stars

Great Songs - Will not play in my PC or CD Players April 28, 2005
15 out of 18 found this review helpful

A great set of songs with very poor implementation. The dual disk has copy protection and will not allow me to copy the songs to my PDA. I have never shared a song with anyone else, but this CD wont let me use it as I normally do. I finally decided to get out my portable CD player. It will not work with the CD or DVD side. The DVD side will not play in my DVD player nor my computer DVD drive. The CD side is recognized by my DVD player some times, but not other times. This is the last copy protected CD or dual disk I will buy.

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