File under: better late than never. Angst-y Florida-reared pop/rockers Matchbox Twenty – see hits "Push," "3 A.M.," "Real World," et al – are apparently set to release their fourth album in September. Singer/songwriter Rob Thomas has announced that the band has been chipping away at new material, with a single expected in June.
Thomas tweeted, “So, it looks like @MatchboxTwenty have decided on the songs for the album!!!! Let the mixing commence!” As noted by Noise 11, the last full Matchbox Twenty album was 2002’s More Than You Think You Are. In 2007, they released the compilation Exile On Mainstream featuring a bonus disc containing seven new studio recordings, their first without original rhythm guitarist Adam Gaynor.
After the departure of Gaynor, drummer Paul Douchette switched jobs and became the band’s rhythm guitarist. Former Push Stars drummer Ryan MacMillian filled in for drumming duties on tour.
The new Matchbox Twenty album reunites the band with original producer Matt Serletic, who worked with the band on the three studio albums. One of Thomas’ most recent Fabebook posts was “have to say that the Matchbox Twenty album is about done and i’m listening and it’s something i’m SO proud of.”
Well good. Though it would be infinitely more amusing if Thomas posted something a little more banal and possibly candid, along the lines of: “We’ve been working very hard and the new stuff is OK but not great and frankly, I cannot believe Serletic is STILL carping about the mix on the B-side of '3 A.M.' but that’s a Virgo for you. Anyway, nobody buys records anymore so what does it matter if it’s cohesive or not?”
Seriously, though, there was a moment in the late-90s when these guys were, like, everywhere! Plus Thomas has showed real prowess as both a solo artist and songwriter for others, so this new release definitely has potential. Stay tuned.
