Review Of Rob Thomas' '...Something To Be'

'Smooth' Was No Fluke

Slip Rob Thomas' ...Something To Be into your CD player and sound comes charging out of the speakers. The opening song, "This Is How a Heart Breaks" is an aggressive rocker that gets the album off to a distinctive start, reminding us that this is Rob Thomas solo, not another Matchbox Twenty set.

The most obvious trait this album has in common with the work of Matchbox Twenty is Thomas' humble, unassuming songwriting style that sneaks up and lodges in the back of your brain until nearly every song on the album is familiar after just a few plays. The sound of the album, however, is more mainstream pop than the post-grunge alt-rock we expect from the group.

For many fans, ...Something To Be's leadoff single "Lonely No More" sounded more like Justin Timberlake than what they expect from Thomas, but the record crackles with a confidence Timberlake could only try to match on his solo debut. The performance confidence and self-assuredness in songwriting is obvious through the rest of the album.

Rob Thomas has a reputation as one of the music industry's nice guys, and that image is abundant here. His soothing croon wraps comfortably around the listener on "Ever the Same." The country-tinged "Fallin' to Pieces" sounds like so much fun you may want to pick up a dobro or banjo and join in.

When Rob Thomas digs into the emotions of anger or frustration, he often seems at his weakest. The album's title track is a case in point. His ranting against forces beyond his control nearly sounds forcibly manufactured in a way his efforts at soothing, comforting, or celebrating do not. ...Something To Be closes with a contrast that ably shows off the substance of his appeal. John Mayer lends a hand for the upbeat, celebratory "Streetcorner Symphony," and it is followed by "Now Comes the Night," a gorgeous live in the studio late-night ballad featuring Thomas solo with only his piano for accompaniment. As he sings 'leave your fear in the fray / let us hold to each other / till the end of our days,' his soulful voice is at its most warm and comforting.

Rob Thomas has delivered an accomplished, eclectic set for his solo debut. Although there is nothing here that quite matches his breakout smash "Smooth," with Santana, this album is proof that single was no fluke. Thomas is one of our most promising young songwriters, and he has a voice and musical ear to deliver his songs with confidence. Has he outgrown Matchbox Twenty? Only time will tell.

Note : This album has been released as a DualDisc meaning there is a DVD side included along with the CD. The DVD side has the entire audio album recorded in Suround Sound as well as a 20-minute documentary and various extras. The documentary has interesting in-the-studio footage as well as the photo sessions for the album artwork.