Exile on Mainstream - Dark Publications

Location: Home » music » General » Exile on Mainstream

Similar Items:

•	It Won't Be Soon Before Long
•	All the Lost Souls
•	Who We Are
•	Greatest Hits Vol. 1 - The Singles
•	Magic

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
After 28 million records sold worldwide, 5 Grammy nominations, and more #1 hits and weeks at #1 than any other artist in history at Adult Top 40 and Modern AC, Melisma/Atlantic recording group matchbox twenty is overdue for a Greatest Hits package. In order to create something truly special for their fans, the band returned to the studio to record their first new material in five years. Grammy-winning producer Steve Lillywhite oversaw the sessions in L.A., marking the band s first work with the renowned producer - whose credits include the likes of U2, The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, and many others. Out of the session came six brand-new songs, turning the package into a new EP with a bonus of 11 matchbox twenty hits. The new tracks also mark their first recordings as a foursome.

Matchbox Twenty Photos

More from Matchbox Twenty

Yourself or Someone Like You

More Than You Think You Are

VH1 Storytellers - Matchbox Twenty

How Far We've Come [IMPORT]

Mad Season [ENHANCED]

Mad Season [LIMITED EDITION] [SPECIAL EDITION] [ENHANCED]

Album Description
International version features 17 tracks. Warner. 2007.

Customer Reviews: Read 109 more reviews...

2 out of 5 stars

After 5 Long Years Matchbox 20 Returns With....A "Greatest Hits" CD? October 2, 2007
46 out of 71 found this review helpful

Its been 5 years since Matchbox Twenty has released an album and they put out a greatest hits CD. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think three albums and an EP warrants a "best of" CD. What's really frustrating is that the group recorded 6 new songs for the collection. With just 4 or 5 more songs, they would have completed an album of all original material instead of a pointless greatest hits CD. If you're a fan, then you already have their three albums, so the only reason to buy Exile on Mainstream is for the 6 new songs which you'll have to pay $15 for. If you're a newcomer to the group, I still wouldn't recommend buying it. You're better off starting with "Yourself or Someone Like You" or "Tabitha's Secret," the "lost" Matchbox Twenty album available on Amazon.

4 out of 5 stars

Up To Twenty's Date October 2, 2007
37 out of 50 found this review helpful

When it comes to great hits packages this past year, there have been some that've delivered well for their bucks like The Police and Genesis, who've celebrated their best years of their lives, reuniting and touring again in unison, and have made great hits packages as well. Surprisingly, Matchbox Twenty has had that in question recently with frontman Rob Thomas who had some surprising solo success with his album Something To Be. That did very well, but left die hard fans pondering if he was going to keep delivering on his own, or if he was going to return to his roots. He returned to his roots and reunited with Matchbox Twenty for a new hits album that delivers nicely.

The 2007 Matchbox Twenty greatest hits album Exile On Mainstream, re-introduces the 90's Rock group to a whole new audience nicely, which it has been 10 years since they broke out of the mainstream with their surprising hit Push. All of there hits singles are shown proudly here from all 3 of their big records from 1996-2002. The album includes all of their big hits from Unwell, which had a very catchy and uplifting video, their hard-hitting and haunting Bent, to the Hard Rock driven soul of Disease, as well as other great songs like Real World, If You're Gone, and 3 A.M. There are also a few new songs here as well that add to the feeling of the group including the catchy How Far We've Come. It does surprise me though that the group decided to make it 2 seperate discs instead of one disc, the first for the new tracks and the second for the hits. But, it does get the job done pretty nicely though.

All in all, while Rob Thomas' solo works from Something To Be or his collaborations with Santana on Smooth aren't displayed here, the album alone sticks out to the heart of Matchbox Twenty well, as just the band itself. I've loved their songs and catchy videos, and I think unlike other hits albums recently like Faith Hill's Hits, Exile On Mainstream works out very well as a great buy for anyone who doesn't yet own a Matchbox Twenty album, and for die hard fans. I really think this one is worth the buy, and that could be anytime, even when it is 3 A.M.

Album Cover: B

Songs: B+

Price: A-

Remastering: B 1/2+

Overall: B 1/2+

5 out of 5 stars

Another fabulous album from a legendary band October 2, 2007
13 out of 17 found this review helpful

Matchbox Twenty's lyrics on Exile on Mainstream's six new tracks are universally felt. The music is upbeat for most of the tracks, and the lyrics are dark in true MB20 fashion. The themes of Exile all have to do with relationships and seem to be discontent, uncertainty, regret and the inability to make amends. As they say, hindsight is 20/20. Kind of like waking up one day and thinking, `What is my life all about?' And then trying to make peace with what you've created. "These Hard Times" has the classic MB20 sound and is sure to please. "How Far We've Come" and "I'll Believe You When" are played in part during Monday Night Football.

The new tracks on Disc 1 are:

1."How Far We've Come" is a shout-out to reassess your contribution to the world.
2."I'll Believe You When" deals with the frustration of trying to prove you've changed.
3."All Your Reasons"
4."These Hard Times" is about mourning something/someone when you really didn't want to let go but know there wasn't any other way to continue.
5."If I Fall" deals with continually falling short and asking for help.
6."Can't Let You Go" is about trying to hold on to someone who's part of your soul.

Disc 2 contains the greatest hits and is a fabulous collection although it feels incomplete because, as most MB20 fans will agree, the complete collection would be every track MB ever recorded!

Front man Rob Thomas performs outstanding vocals, and drummer Paul Doucette moved to guitar and does a superb job. Another fabulous album from a legendary band. This devoted fan is super satisfied.

If you're one of the few that haven't experienced Matchbox Twenty, you must buy this album. It's a great place to start.

5 out of 5 stars

Greatest hits October 8, 2007
13 out of 16 found this review helpful

Indeed, at first i was thinking man...only 6 songs but. I thought about it this is a greatest hits collection by the guys and for it include 6 new songs thats crazy. Because you normally get maybe 2 or 3 new songs at the maximum on a greatest hits collection if your lucky. But Matchbox Twenty surpasses that and then some. With new songs soon to be favorites " How Far We've Come", "These Hard Times" and "Can't Let You Go". Them scaling down to a foursome hasnt affected them at all as the guys are only starting to hit their stride on this one and i'm looking forward to their next full release as a quartet.

The collection has some of their songs released from various cds like "Yourself or Someone Like You" - Long Day, Push, 3 AM, Real World and Back 2 Good.

"Mad Season" - Bent, If You're Gone and Mad Season

"More Than You Think You Are" - Disease, Unwell and Bright Lights

A pretty good disbursing of their singles from their 3 previous efforts. It is more than satisfying to know the guys from MB20 are still enjoying what they do and keep bringing something for all the fans out there that enjoy their music.

This is a collection for anyone that is interested or were wondering what they are all about. Exile On Mainstream is worthy of your attention and hopefully purchase as well.

Enjoy and welcome back guys.

2 out of 5 stars

Bands with 3 CDs don't need a greatest hits album... October 2, 2007
9 out of 15 found this review helpful

It's been five years since "More Than You Think You Are" and this is what we get? Very disappointing. I didn't realize this release was a greatest hits effort until I got to Best Buy to pick it up. Very disheartening to only see six new tunes - which I find average at best. These new songs sound more like Rob Thomas solo tunes than MB20 anthems.

I thought the band hit their stride after MTYTYA. That was their most complete and mature body of work. I was expecting them to build on that. Not rush six new songs to complete some greatest hits package.

And as for the greatest hits... not a fan. No offense, but I never need to hear "Push" or "3AM" again. Overplayed and killed by radio. All they did here was regurgitate the songs radio killed. A greatest hits album should include what truly were some of the band's better songs. Not what the A&R idiots told them to release. Where's "Downfall" or "Hand Me Down" of the last CD? What about "Rest Stop" or "The Burn"? How about some more classic live tunes, acoustic versions of songs, B-sides or cover tunes? To date, I still don't have a quality version of MB20's rendition of "Time After Time".

Those who buy the CD, score from Best Buy for the two bonus live tracks "Remedy" by the Black Crowes and "Modern Love" by David Bowie. Those two covers almost make the CD worth the $12 I plunked down. Almost.

Here's hoping that the six new tunes grow on me, but initially they lack the same oomph as when I heard "Disease", "Bent" or "Long Day" for the first time - the respective first singles off all three studio releases.

MB20 is one of the better bands of the 90s and this compilation doesn't do them justice. I have a better 'greatest hits' playlist on my iPod.

Powered by Associate-O-Matic