Yourself or Someone Like You

by Matchbox Twenty

Overview

Yourself or Someone Like You turned out to be the standard-bearer for post-alternative rock because it has a '90s sheen in its production, but, for all the world, its core sounds like classic rock. Lead singer/songwriter Rob Thomas adopted some of Eddie Vedder's vocal mannerisms, but they were smoothed out, lacking the angst and pain that were Vedder's hallmark. Matchbox Twenty functioned much the same way, picking up at Pearl Jam's fascination for album rock, but deciding to stick to the classic blueprint instead of personalizing it. All of this resulted in a record that is much more straightforward than most alt-rock albums, even if it follows the pattern of a classic '90s album -- not just in its production dynamics, but down to the acoustic-based slow number that closes the record. It blends the most familiar elements of the two golden eras of album-oriented rock, finding a balance that is comfortable for mainstream fans of either side. Other bands with similar sounds that could have done the same thing, yet Matchbox Twenty distanced themselves from the pack with sturdy songs and fairly strong hooks, all delivered forcefully with Thomas' distinctive bravado. Their music is not flashy, nor is it as ingratiating as Third Eye Blind's pop instincts. It is, however, solid, American rock, reminiscent of a blend of Petty and Pearl Jam. So, it shouldn't have been surprising when the album found a wide audience. For many observers it was still unexpected, because the sound seemed a little plain. What they didn't realize was that Yourself or Someone Like You wound up being the point where mainstream American rock stopped being willfully eccentric and returned to being unassuming and kind of ordinary. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	09/08/2017
Label:	Atlantic
UPC:	0075678660597
Rank:	11523

Tracks

1. Real World
2. Long Day
3. 3AM
4. Push
5. Girl Like That
6. Back 2 Good
7. Damn
8. Argue
9. Kody
10. Busted
11. Shame
12. Hang

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Matchbox Twenty   Primary Artist
Paul Doucette   Drums,Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Douglas Smith   Clarinet (Bass)
Kyle Cook   Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Matt Serletic   Keyboards,Percussion
Amy Porter   Flute
Yvonne Powers   Oboe
Brian Yale   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Adam Gaynor   Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Ted Gurch   Clarinet
Elizabeth Burkhardt   Bassoon,Woodwind
Rob Thomas   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Guitar (Acoustic)
Doug Smith   Clarinet (Bass)

Technical Credits

Travis McGehee   Mixing,Engineer
Stephen Marcussen   Mastering
Greg Archilla   Mixing
John Joseph Stanley   Composer
Jeff Tomei   Engineer
Marvin Gaye   Composer
Matt Serletic   Mixing,Arranger,Composer,Producer
Malcolm Springer   Mixing Assistant
Craig Poole   Guitar Technician
Brian Yale   Composer
John Leslie Goff   Composer
Elizabeth Burkhardt   Leader
Rob Thomas   Composer
Katrin Thomas   Photography
Tony Adams   Technician,Drum Technician
Don C. Tyler   Digital Editing
Chris Cuffaro   Photography
John Nielsen   Assistant Engineer
Dean Serletic   Assistant Producer
Tabitha Kahlhamer   Assistant Producer
Valerie Wagner   Design,Art Direction