Matchbox strikes hot

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty gained much credibility with his contributions to Santana's monster hit song "Smooth."  The record raised the popularity his band and boosted sales of their debut "Yourself or Someone Like You," giving them a chance to prove themselves beyond the cookie-cutter pop hits.

"Mad season by matchbox twenty" is a valiant effort to move past the prefabricated pop artist status.  The new album  features arrangements that add drama and urgency to the music.  Most obvious are the horns and strings that weave the album into one cohesive effort.

Producer Matt Serletic's influence give the new album the feel of an unstaged rock musical. The band demonstrates style, incorporating keyboards and acoustic country guitar into the mix.  This newfound artistry is most apparent in the piano-based 10-minute tune "You Won't Be Mine," which grooves like a sleazy lounge number with an ending reminiscent of the Beatles' "A Day In The Life."

The album does have its share of faults. Sometimes the simple elegance of a melody is lost in questionable arrangements. The first single "Bent" is a good example of strong songwriting bogged down by uneven rhythm and an awkward crescendo.

The overall tone of the album  is a mature and self assured release from a band that plans on sticking around.