|
|
|
|
|
|
HomeArtistsRob ThomasCradlesong |
|
|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
 Is Thomas losing his edge? Feb 01, 2010
Sometimes you have to start a negative review by validating your opinions: I'm a big Rob Thomas fan. I got hooked on day one with Push by Matchbox Twenty, and have followed his tidal wave of awesome music ever since. Songs like "Rest Stop" have inspired some of my own music as a musician and performer, and have even had the opportunity to perform some of his songs during my stint in college a capella. I believe Rob is one of the greatest songwriters of our era.
This is why Cradlesong seems such a let-down to me. Gone are the dark tones of his music - like Push, Rest Stop, Leave, Bent - all of which are replaced by disjointed pep songs. The tracks seem to range from oddly optimistic to borderline silly. Don't mistake me - I'm not a fan of slit-your-wrist music - but I like songs that inspire you to think, not just clap your hands or bob your head a little.
In fact, many of his songs seem to resort to uncreative phrases which are repeated over-and-over again in lieu of a full-fledged chorus. It's almost like Rob just ran out of ideas on this one, or was maybe just too lazy to put in any real effort. I find myself skipping forward to the next track, skipping the last 30 seconds of a repeating sentence. It actually starts to grate on your nerves a little.
Also gone are the AWESOME undertones that often existed in so much music by Matchbox Twenty. Now, I get it - this is a solo album. But MB20 always had these little riffs behind the verses and choruses - stuff that sometimes you'd only pick up in a pair of quality headphones - and it's just gone here. Most of it is synthesized audio that's just copied-and-pasted along each track, and - well again - it fails to inspire.
You're better than this, Rob - I know you are. You're older tracks took me places in my mind and heart that changed me - brought me out a different person. This stuff is just pandering - it's kiddie music - and I have to admit I'm a little ashamed in you.
 Much better without Matchbox 20 Jan 28, 2010
I've got 2 Matchbox 20 CDs, but have to admit I haven't listened to them in a while. Bought "Cradlesong" after hearing "Someday" on the radio and then seeing the video on YouTube.
I like all the tracks on this CD. None of them are too heavy or too light, though I suspect there may be some people who really like Matchbox 20 and will think this is way too light. There's a sensitivity in his voice and in the lyrics which I don't think I ever noticed in Matchbox 20, and that's what I really like about this CD.
If you're not sure about buying it, I'd check out "Someday" and "Her Diamonds" on YouTube. If those aren't to your liking, then the CD's probably not for you. But if you like those 2 tracks, I suspect you'll like the whole CD.
Great second solo album Jan 09, 2010
When Rob's first solo album came out I was going through some pretty big changes in my life and his album was on a pretty heavy rotation in my cd players helping me deal. Now here comes his second album and again I find myself at a new personal journey and his songs seem to AGAIN be a good couterpoint to my current sutuation.
Full of catchy and very well crafted music and lyrics this album is a great second solo album I've enjoyed Matchbox Twenty but I've yet to by one of their albums but I'll keep buying Rob Thomas that is for sure.
 Everybody sing! Dec 20, 2009
When Rob Thomas and the rest of Matchbox Twenty released Exile on Mainstream, worries about Rob going solo after making Something to Be were initially put to rest but then people picked up the album and realized that it was really just a greatest hits compilation with a few new songs. Whether or not Rob has officially left the band is up in the air, but at any rate, he came at us with his second solo release, Cradlesong.
I didn't know at first that Rob had any intentions of making another album; I just heard people talking about it one day so I decided to check the album out. I didn't think that much of it upon first listen, but I listened to it again and discovered that it's great. There are a lot of standout tracks, like "Her Diamonds", "Getting Late" and "Natural". And I wasn't really into "Give Me the Meltdown" at first, but I like it now.
Although "Still Ain't Over You" isn't about anything new, it's also a highlight. "Real World `09" is also pretty good; I know it doesn't sound anything like the original "Real World", but I think that's actually a good thing (the distinguishing, rather; "Real World" is a great song). And the title track (the obligatory we-are-the-world song) is passable. In fact, there are two reasons I knocked off a star: "Wonderful" doesn't make any sense, and "Fire on the Mountain" is TOO theatrical (well, during the chorus, anyway). But Cradlesong is still a great album to kick back and listen to.
Anthony Rupert
Incredible Talent Dec 19, 2009
Not a bad song on the entire album. The lyrics are amazing and the music blends beautifully. If you like Matchbox Twenty you're gonna' love everything Rob Thomas churns out.
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
