Matchbox 20 hit these shores with a solid gold reputation having already sold 3 million copies of their debut album in the USA.  Will it be a case of same again in the UK?

Its not difficult to see why Matchbox 20 have been successful in America.  They write the type of tunes that only Americans can write.  Good wholesome country tinged rock music with  quite a few winging ballads in there to please even the most perennial melancholic.  Unfortunately for them, this type of music is not, in general, commercially well recieved in these country. 

Musically, the closest comparison I can make is the Counting Crows and this is mainly due to the fact that frontman Rob Thomas's voice, at times, sounds uncannily like that of Adam Duritz.  This  is most evident on Track two 'Long Day' which sounds incredibly like a song unearthed from the 'Recovering The Satelites' sessions.  I think I may have found out the true identity of  the 'Mr Jones' that Adam once sang about.

The album has some outstanding tracks ranging from the aforementioned 'Long Day' to the forthcoming single, and the reason for me buying the album, 'Push'

However, there is a downside.  At times Matchbox 20 can find themselves wandering into the 'Hootie and The Blowfish' world of blandness, good potential but too little substance

When all is said and done, Matchbox 20 can be more than proud of this debut album and it certainly bodes well for their future.  It may not be the most original album ever released, but then again originallity has never been a substitute for quality.

  Rating - 7 / 10