It's great to see a band of the caliber of Matchbox Twenty take the piss out of themselves. The band has called its forthcoming greatest hits album 'Exile On Mainstream'.
'Exile On Mainstream' is a tongue-in-cheek gag at the expense of the Rolling Stones classic 'Exile On Main Street'.What makes the joke all the more humorous is that their song 'Disease' (included on Mainstream) was co-written with The Stones' Mick Jagger.
Matchbox Twenty is one of the most successful acts of the last decade, yet to read what the critics say, you would never know it. While The Stones are applauded for coming up with their benchmark classic, critics often slagged of Matchbox Twenty for being too mainstream.
The debut album 'Yourself Or Someone Like You' sold more than 10 million units. The subsequent two albums 'Mad Season' and 'More Than You Think You Are' were both multi-platinum releases.
The bands DVD 'Show' has also been awarded platinum by RIAA.
'Exile On Mainstream' will feature 11 greatest hits plus 6 new songs recorded with Steve Lillywhite.
The new songs feature the new 4 piece line-up of Matchbox Twenty. Guitarist Adam Gaynor left in 2005. While Gaynor was not replaced by a new Matchbox man, drummer Paul Doucette has put aside his sticks to pick up guitar for the new songs and subsequent tour.
Matchbox Twenty will play select dates in the US from January before heading to Australia in March.
After that, Rob Thomas will start work on his second solo album. A new studio album from the Matchbox men is not even being discussed as happening until 2009.
The tracklisting for 'Exile On Mainstream' is:
3AM (from Yourself Or Some Like You, 1996)
Back 2 Good (from Yourself Or Some Like You, 1996)
Push (from Yourself Or Some Like You, 1996)
Real World (from Yourself Or Some Like You, 1996)
Bent (from Mad Season, 2000)
Bright Lights (from More Than You Think You Are, 2002)
Disease (from More Than You Think You Are, 2002)
If You're Gone (from Mad Season, 2000)
Mad Season (from Mad Season, 2000)
Unwell (from More Than You Think You Are, 2002)
Long Day (from Yourself Or Some Like You, 1996)
How Far We've Come (new)
I'll Believe You When (new)
All Your Reasons (new)
These Hard Times (new)
If I Fall (new)
Can't Let You Go (new)
