music spazzery #2 - matchbox 20

[fahye]

I first discovered this group through tammaiya, I think (I have never listened to the radio much at all: my musical discoveries come through other people) and they suited my tastes to a tee. I prefer something with a little more substance to it these days, but have never stopped liking Matchbox 20. I am saddened by the fact that they only released three albums before disbanding (Rob Thomas's solo album is okay, but it's just not the same!) and that I never got to see them live.

I think there's still a piece of my heart on your face / It's a shame to let it waste

I really, really like their lyrics, and the way their songs are never absolutely romantic or absolutely about love's loss/denunciation. They're always a bit murky, a bit messy, in terms of emotion conveyed.



Last Beautiful Girl (Mad Season)

It won't be the first heart that you break
It won't be the last, beautiful girl

This was one of the earliest songs of theirs that I heard, and something about the simple but powerful play-on-phrasing in the chorus hooked me in and has kept me very fond of it. I like that it's a gentle, melodic song directed at someone that the singer feels an obvious mixture of contempt and frustrated longing for. I like that it falls within my voice range more easily than many songs - being someone who generally adores male rock, and is also pathologically unable to not sing along with things, this is important!

Long Day (Yourself Or Someone Like You)

Reach down your hand in your pocket
Pull out some hope for me

There is a kind of eternal war between this song and 'Push' as my favourite song from Matchbox 20's earliest album (most of which is not too memorable, but a few of the songs kick serious ass). I think this one wins by the tiniest margin because it is the BEST song I know for playing when you're irritated and have had, logically enough, a long day. It's snappy. It's pissy. It's Owen Harper in a song!

Bright Lights (More Than You Think You Are)

I got a hole in me now
Yeah, I got a scar I can talk about

My very vague radar for pop culture is of the opinion that this is one of their more played-on-the-radio songs? I think? Anyway, it's wonderful. I love the sudden soar at the beginning of the chorus, and the way it keeps changing direction in terms of how heavy the sound is (let that sinner take you down) and that it's got that 'Queen of Hollywood' story about big-city disillusionment woven into it.

All I Need (More Than You Think You Are)

Everybody's lied to someone
People still use other people
With a crooked smile

Woo, upbeat! There's nothing complex or challenging about the sound of this one, but something about the chirpy nature of it combined with the cynical-slash-romantic lyrics really gets under my skin. It's great for chair-dancing and/or singing into your hairbrush.

Mad Season (Mad Season)

I’ve been changing
I think it's funny that no one knows
And we don’t talk about the little things that we do without
When that whole mad season comes around

Interestingly, I really disliked this song for ages; the sound is different to most of the Mad Season album's songs, and it didn't really appeal to me. And then there came a day when I listened to the lyrics and realised that the less melodramatic parts of it suited exactly where I was in my life at that moment, and what I was feeling - hell, I probably put them in an LJ post without elaboration (I was at that age, okay?). And now the song is one of those songs that gets put on mix CDs that describe me, because it's slotted into a personal niche of self-deprecation, doubt, and keeping quiet about the small hurts. At times I do believe I am strong. This song is someone smiling with half of their mouth. It clicks for me.

Downfall (More Than You Think You Are)

Now I'm back on my own
Yeah my feet are heavy, made of stone
And I'll make you go where I go

I can never decide which of Mad Season and More Than You Think You Are is my favourite Matchbox 20 album. But this is definitely my favourite song. Those who know me will nod knowingly at the semi-religious themes, but it's actually the sound of the chorus that I love best. It's...I don't know, I have not the music-fu, but it's kind of like being hit by a wave that doesn't quite knock you over, but lifts you off your feet for a moment.

~

As ever: buy their albums! And tell me what you think.

Comments

[pathstotread.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love them! I've been in love since I first saw "Push" on MTV however many years ago. That's still my favorite song of theirs, possibly tied with "Downfall". I actually need to get my hands on Mad Season again - I once owned it, but lost it in the course of one of our moves.

Have you heard about their new album? I think it's mostly a greatest hits deal, but it does have some new music, including the song "How Far We've Come", which is getting some radio play.

[fahye.livejournal.com]

...new album? No, I hadn't heard! Ooh.

new matchbox album

[pink-orient.livejournal.com]

Hey.

I'm sort of a lurker, but I thought I'd comment since I knew about the new Matchbox album. It's called Exile on the Mainstream. It drops Oct. 2, 2007 in the the U.S.

Re: new matchbox album

[fahye.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Hopefully the Australian release will be around the same time.

[kcdl.livejournal.com]

WEll this is a first, I think actually already have all those songs.

[ashen_key]

That first song? Is my favourite song of theirs, my utter FAVOURITE.

[thepouncer.livejournal.com]

I saw them in concert circa Mad Season, and they were great. The recognition that everyone is broken in some way was very comforting at the time.

[sdwolfpup.livejournal.com]

So far I've also adored both of the bands you've posted about. I'm enjoying reading your squee about them. "Stop" is probably my favorite Matchbox Twenty song, but "Last Beautiful Girl" is right up there. They so often have these 10-15 second bits in a song that just knock me out.

[fahye.livejournal.com]

these 10-15 second bits in a song that just knock me out

YES. That is exactly how I judge songs. By their 'bits'. And, er, I'm glad my rambling squee is entertaining; it feels rather self-indulgent.

[miraielle.livejournal.com]

Downloading "Bright Lights" - a song I love but inexplicably don't have.

You know, for all I say that Steve and I were JUST FRIENDS until... we weren't, I totally connected this song to him when I was moving to Boston.

So. Go figure?

[fahye.livejournal.com]

Hee! I guess that's...telling?

[jezrana.livejournal.com]

Oh, man, I was so into them in middle/high school. And saw them live TWICE, which was awesome (I would have been happy with once, but then they came ON MY BIRTHDAY and I made big sad eyes at parents).

And Downfall is probably still my favorite song of theirs ever.