by: Charley (@ruperto2106)
Have you ever enjoyed a band so much that you listened to every single album they put out non stop to the point of being obsessed with their music and lyrics? Then were sadden when you heard the band was going to go on an indefinite “hiatus”? Only to jump for joy when you heard that the band was getting back together, putting out another album, and waited with baited breath until you got the CD in your hands? You put the CD in your player press play and wonder “WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST WASTE MY MONEY ON”? Or where was that cool band I listened to over 10 years ago? So is my experience with the new Matchbox Twenty album, North.After a long 10 years since their last release, More Than You Think You Are, the Florida based band releases their fourth album fueled by promising lead single “She’s So Mean”. My issue with the album is that there is no cohesive flow on the album. It starts off with the pop ballad “Parade”, followed by the up beat “She’s So Mean” only to follow with a very slowed downed “Overjoyed” (the second single off North). “Put your Hands Up” sounds like Rob Thomas was really trying to do his best Adam Levine imitation as I could have sworn that a Maroon 5 track was misplaced on this CD.As I write this, I am on my third listen through the album, hoping beyond hope that I will enjoy this CD more and more. There are about two standout tracks (the aforementioned "She’s So Mean" and “Our Song”), and it’s because of that it’s really hard to get those good feelings I used to get from listening to their previous albums.I didn’t expect Matchbox Twenty to keep churning out the same type of music after 10 years, but the changes on this CD left a bad taste in my mouth.Matchbox Twenty's North sadly gets a 2.5/5http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8WLa6umgdw