Matchbox Twenty

[Gideon]

Not sure if anyone's a fan of MB20, but I caught them at The Palace in Louisville, KY last night and they were amazing.

Played for 2 hours and played nine new songs off their new album North, all of which were met with very warm reception (except for one).

[Don]

Rob Thomas is one of the better songwriters out there these days. They were huge when they came out (first album went Diamond).

Enjoyed this collaboration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpX97eg-W-k

[Ehwmatt]

I'm seeing them in Toledo a week from tomorrow. Very much looking forward to it and I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it

[Don]

These guys were born from the reset button being hit after Grunge. A new definition of Pop Rock without the makeup, long hair, leathers and saccharine lyrics that created the Flannel backlash that erupted at the end of the 80s.

[YoungJRNY]

Love Matchbox. One one of the few bands on my bucket-list to see if ever givin the chance.

[Don]

Now this is how you make a video. It catches your attention no matter your age or gender. Brilliant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg6r-IeH7ss

[Deb]

Love Matchbox. One one of the few bands on my bucket-list to see if ever givin the chance.

Ditto, definitely a fan. Would love to see a live MB20 show. Another singer that throws everything he's got into his delivery of a song, great emoter. Gid, if your a fan, you should get their Live DVD "Show". It's great........ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AucmxNQ6o8

[Gideon]

I'm a huge fan of MB20, I'll check it out, Deb. Matt, I hope you enjoy your show and I'll be looking forward to your review.

[mikemarrs]

Love Matchbox. One one of the few bands on my bucket-list to see if ever givin the chance.

Saw them in '98,damn has it already been 15 years?

[Ehwmatt]

I'm a huge fan of MB20, I'll check it out, Deb. Matt, I hope you enjoy your show and I'll be looking forward to your review.

Fantastic concert. It exceeded my expectations--which were definitely increased by your positive review. These guys are a tight band, the set is hit after hit, Rob Thomas's voice has lost nothing since he hit 40 (now 41 as of a few days ago, apparently), and they have just the right amount of energy without being over the top. I was thrilled at the quality of the backing vocals (which were definitely live), and I loved the guitar sounds Kyle (the lead guitarist) gets. Plus, nearly every band member (including Rob Thomas) played multiple instruments throughout the show. These guys are talented as hell, and I'd go see them again in a heartbeat.

It's starting to get weird that bands like this have now been around for as long as they have. I still remember being a kid in 1996, finger hovering over the "record" button my cassette recording-boombox as the radio played, and hearing the DJ introduce this "Long Day" song by this new band, Matchbox Twenty. Watching last night, it was clear to me I was watching a future inductee in the Rock Hall.

My only gripe would perhaps be the pacing of the set: they killed us with hit after hit at the start (save for opening with a new one), and the pacing and energy got a little subdued as they went into mostly new songs (and a few slower deep cuts) for the bulk of the middle of the show. The new album is just okay, and live, some of the songs just didn't translate at all. Actually, my favorite new one was "The Way," which Kyle (the lead guitarist) sang. Far superior live, and a nice power pop number: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9f6KktoMi8 (studio). All in all, I would have preferred things spread out a bit in terms of old vs new, slow v. upbea. But still, they played a long set and played everything i wanted to hear (except for "All I Need"), so I can't complain too much.

Musically, in theory, Matchbox Twenty would be a far better touring partner for Journey (assuming Journey was ANY good live anymore, which they are not) if Journey is trying to stay more relevant with their touring partners. I like Rascal Flatts, but Matchbox Twenty makes so much more sense. Frankly though, they would blow Journey off the stage with their energy and solid stage presence.

[AR]

Ok band with some catchy songs, but I don't feel compelled to buy a ticket.

[Ehwmatt]

Ok band with some catchy songs, but I don't feel compelled to buy a ticket.

I don't think you'd regret it. Think you and I have a lot in common musically too, so take that for what it's worth.

Me, personally, I loved Matchbox Twenty when I first heard songs like "Long Day" and "Real World" as a kid in the 90s. Then, Rob Thomas did "Smooth" with Santana, which I LOATHED. That caused me to forget appreciating MB 20 for years until I rediscovered them.

[AR]

Ok band with some catchy songs, but I don't feel compelled to buy a ticket.

I don't think you'd regret it. Think you and I have a lot in common musically too, so take that for what it's worth.

Me, personally, I loved Matchbox Twenty when I first heard songs like "Long Day" and "Real World" as a kid in the 90s. Then, Rob Thomas did "Smooth" with Santana, which I LOATHED. That caused me to forget appreciating MB 20 for years until I rediscovered them.

Yes we do, so I will keep that in mind if they play nearby.

[Don]

I was just saying to a friend on Facebook, I hear a lot of unintentional influences on the new album, at least in my own mind. Rick Springfield on "She's So mean," a bit of Bare Naked Ladies on "Our Song" and a mix of Corrs/ Bruce Hornsby on "The Way."
That's the problem when you get old, everything sounds like you've heard it before.

I like the new album for the most part. It's a bit of a wanderer style wise, all over the map but I dig that.

[AR]

MB20 is playing Baltimore. Looks like it is sold out though.

[mrsromek]

I saw them once...back in 01....however, Lifehouse, who opened the show with 5 songs, was my favorite by far that night.

Quite frankly, MB20 put me to sleep and none of the guys had much stage presence. Again, that was in 01, but still. I'm not knocking songs at all, just the live show.

[StevePerryHair]

I saw them once...back in 01....however, Lifehouse, who opened the show with 5 songs, was my favorite by far that night.

Quite frankly, MB20 put me to sleep and none of the guys had much stage presence. Again, that was in 01, but still. I'm not knocking songs at all, just the live show.

LOVE Lifehouse live! Saw them by chance when they toured, opening for the Goo Goo Dolls!

[Gideon]

I'm a huge fan of MB20, I'll check it out, Deb. Matt, I hope you enjoy your show and I'll be looking forward to your review.

Fantastic concert. It exceeded my expectations--which were definitely increased by your positive review. These guys are a tight band, the set is hit after hit, Rob Thomas's voice has lost nothing since he hit 40 (now 41 as of a few days ago, apparently), and they have just the right amount of energy without being over the top. I was thrilled at the quality of the backing vocals (which were definitely live), and I loved the guitar sounds Kyle (the lead guitarist) gets. Plus, nearly every band member (including Rob Thomas) played multiple instruments throughout the show. These guys are talented as hell, and I'd go see them again in a heartbeat.

It's starting to get weird that bands like this have now been around for as long as they have. I still remember being a kid in 1996, finger hovering over the "record" button my cassette recording-boombox as the radio played, and hearing the DJ introduce this "Long Day" song by this new band, Matchbox Twenty. Watching last night, it was clear to me I was watching a future inductee in the Rock Hall.

My only gripe would perhaps be the pacing of the set: they killed us with hit after hit at the start (save for opening with a new one), and the pacing and energy got a little subdued as they went into mostly new songs (and a few slower deep cuts) for the bulk of the middle of the show. The new album is just okay, and live, some of the songs just didn't translate at all. Actually, my favorite new one was "The Way," which Kyle (the lead guitarist) sang. Far superior live, and a nice power pop number: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9f6KktoMi8 (studio). All in all, I would have preferred things spread out a bit in terms of old vs new, slow v. upbea. But still, they played a long set and played everything i wanted to hear (except for "All I Need"), so I can't complain too much.

Musically, in theory, Matchbox Twenty would be a far better touring partner for Journey (assuming Journey was ANY good live anymore, which they are not) if Journey is trying to stay more relevant with their touring partners. I like Rascal Flatts, but Matchbox Twenty makes so much more sense. Frankly though, they would blow Journey off the stage with their energy and solid stage presence.

Agreed on all fronts, though my favorite off their new album is currently "Radio."
Their set list was definitely whacky in Louisville, placing the bulk of the hits at the first half and throwing in "Back 2 Good" and "Push" at the encore. "I Will" is the only song I didn't like to some degree in the set.

I'd say it's worth the price of admission, but my dad's boss and his wife bought my ticket as a gift so...

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[G.I.Jim]

Sorry, but I'm stuck in the 80's. Don't like them, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or any other bands in this style. To me, they're just updated Seattle Grunge, and I blame them for the demise of my favorite music. Carry on...

[Ehwmatt]

Sorry, but I'm stuck in the 80's. Don't like them, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or any other bands in this style. To me, they're just updated Seattle Grunge, and I blame them for the demise of my favorite music. Carry on...

Dude... this is an embarrassing attempt at criticism. Without debating the merits of the music itself (taste is subjective after all), how in the world could you lump MB20 in with RHCP, Pearl Jam, and grunge? First, each of those three bands is in a different genre, and only one of them is grunge (PJ). MB20 is nowhere near grunge (or the funk-hip hop-rock blend of RHCP), and in fact, they are a lot closer to classic rock and power pop.

This is like an old guy who misses Swing/Bebop in the 70s lumping Led Zeppelin, The Bee Gees, and Sly and the Family stone in as all being "updated disco" (simply because they all recorded music and enjoyed popularity in the same decade) and blaming them collectively for the demise of Swing/Bebop. This is just a strange mindset. It bespeaks the fact that you probably have never even listened to music by any of these bands.

[Ehwmatt]

I saw them once...back in 01....however, Lifehouse, who opened the show with 5 songs, was my favorite by far that night.

Quite frankly, MB20 put me to sleep and none of the guys had much stage presence. Again, that was in 01, but still. I'm not knocking songs at all, just the live show.

First, I didn't realize Lifehouse has been around that long.

Second, I would guess they've improved their stage presence (which was solid) and I *know* their catalog has gotten much stronger with some great songs that didn't exist back in 01 (the mediocrity of their new album notwithstanding).

[G.I.Jim]

Sorry, but I'm stuck in the 80's. Don't like them, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or any other bands in this style. To me, they're just updated Seattle Grunge, and I blame them for the demise of my favorite music. Carry on...

Dude... this is an embarrassing attempt at criticism. Without debating the merits of the music itself (taste is subjective after all), how in the world could you lump MB20 in with RHCP, Pearl Jam, and grunge? First, each of those three bands is in a different genre, and only one of them is grunge (PJ). MB20 is nowhere near grunge (or the funk-hip hop-rock blend of RHCP), and in fact, they are a lot closer to classic rock and power pop.

This is like an old guy who misses Swing/Bebop in the 70s lumping Led Zeppelin, The Bee Gees, and Sly and the Family stone in as all being "updated disco" (simply because they all recorded music and enjoyed popularity in the same decade) and blaming them collectively for the demise of Swing/Bebop. This is just a strange mindset. It bespeaks the fact that you probably have never even listened to music by any of these bands.

You have a semi-valid point. I HAVE listened to all of these bands. While I'm generalizing... they have many qualities that grunge had that I despise. They did away with the huge hooks and soaring melodies I love in the 80's tunes. They did away with synthesizer sounds and guitar effects. They went to stripped back productions for the most part and I don't care for it at all. If you like that sound (and it's pretty obvious you do), more power to you.

You are correct though... Matchbox 20 did not do away with my beloved 80's tunes. They just remind me of the bands that were shoved down our throats that did. And it wasn't really even the bands that did it, it was the record labels and the radio stations.

[Gideon]

RHCP and Pearl Jam suck, but I love MB20.

[Ehwmatt]

Sorry, but I'm stuck in the 80's. Don't like them, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or any other bands in this style. To me, they're just updated Seattle Grunge, and I blame them for the demise of my favorite music. Carry on...

Dude... this is an embarrassing attempt at criticism. Without debating the merits of the music itself (taste is subjective after all), how in the world could you lump MB20 in with RHCP, Pearl Jam, and grunge? First, each of those three bands is in a different genre, and only one of them is grunge (PJ). MB20 is nowhere near grunge (or the funk-hip hop-rock blend of RHCP), and in fact, they are a lot closer to classic rock and power pop.

This is like an old guy who misses Swing/Bebop in the 70s lumping Led Zeppelin, The Bee Gees, and Sly and the Family stone in as all being "updated disco" (simply because they all recorded music and enjoyed popularity in the same decade) and blaming them collectively for the demise of Swing/Bebop. This is just a strange mindset. It bespeaks the fact that you probably have never even listened to music by any of these bands.

You have a semi-valid point. I HAVE listened to all of these bands. While I'm generalizing... they have many qualities that grunge had that I despise. They did away with the huge hooks and soaring melodies I love in the 80's tunes. They did away with synthesizer sounds and guitar effects. They went to stripped back productions for the most part and I don't care for it at all. If you like that sound (and it's pretty obvious you do), more power to you.

You are correct though... Matchbox 20 did not do away with my beloved 80's tunes. They just remind me of the bands that were shoved down our throats that did. And it wasn't really even the bands that did it, it was the record labels and the radio stations.

Matchbox 20 songs, by and large, have ALL of the traits you mentioned in spades (not the least of which, "huge hooks"). Their lead guitar player had a giant pedal board, and boy did he use it. Great guitar sound. Pianos/keyboards feature heavily in their songs--they're just not as prominent/gay as they might be in say, a tune off Raised on Radio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcSNwUD6rpA (note processed/delayed guitar lead with fat tone, chorused clean guitar tones in the pre-chorus, crunchy riff, harmony vocals, and synths)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLaLsNkaEq8 (note heavily layered acoustic guitars, solid piano, synth effects/percussion, harmonies, and general spacy, atmospheric feel that isn't that far removed from a Tears for Fear-type song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9f6KktoMi8 (hook, harmonies, pianos, interesting Uni-Vibe guitar effects, little guitar riff lead throughout the song)

So what I'm getting from you is you dislike bands because of the time period in which they happen to be recording? Then by your logic, modern AOR bands like Pride of Lions and W.E.T. are out of bounds because they "just remind me of" bands like Justin Bieber and Black Eyed Peas. Strange logic.

[Don]

I used to think the same, that Grunge killed rock but it's not true. Rock killed itself. Pop-Rock fans didn't just wake up and say"to hell with Journey, Warrant" or what ever. Young people wanted to hear music from people their own age, something that spoke to them the same way we made songs from Foreigner, Zeppelin and others "our songs." That wasn't happening in the Rock genre at the end of the 80s. Everyone was starting to sound the same because they believed that if B. ACT from 1989 could sound like A. ACT from 1984, they could achieve the same success that A. ACT had enjoyed. It become imitation and really about just making money, the same thing we accuse artists of today of doing.
Grunge was it's own genre. They weren't trying to look like anybody. No makeup or leather pants needed. The reason that guys like Dave Grohl survived when Grunge died is because they matured with their fans. Pop-Rock bands by and large really haven't done that. Now days, you've got a bunch of Fifty year-olds with tummy tucks, botox, and hair plugs trying to pretend that it's still 1985. These guys bitch about sales and how music has changed over the years but really, it is their inability to change that has put them in the position they're in now.

Adele's last album just went Diamond, She's got people buying her records so there is still money to be made. Lionel Richie's last album is nearing Double platinum. The album before that sold under 90,000 copies but instead of churning out the same old stuff this time around, the guy got with the times. He did something different (a duets album with Country singers). Richie adjusted to what the trends are now and was rewarded. A lot of older acts don't want to, they want everyone to be stuck in a time warp so they don't have to "sell out" as they say. That's fine but don't bitch because other people don't want to hear the same generic riffs played by the same 30year-old bands over and over again.

[G.I.Jim]

Sorry, but I'm stuck in the 80's. Don't like them, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or any other bands in this style. To me, they're just updated Seattle Grunge, and I blame them for the demise of my favorite music. Carry on...

Dude... this is an embarrassing attempt at criticism. Without debating the merits of the music itself (taste is subjective after all), how in the world could you lump MB20 in with RHCP, Pearl Jam, and grunge? First, each of those three bands is in a different genre, and only one of them is grunge (PJ). MB20 is nowhere near grunge (or the funk-hip hop-rock blend of RHCP), and in fact, they are a lot closer to classic rock and power pop.

This is like an old guy who misses Swing/Bebop in the 70s lumping Led Zeppelin, The Bee Gees, and Sly and the Family stone in as all being "updated disco" (simply because they all recorded music and enjoyed popularity in the same decade) and blaming them collectively for the demise of Swing/Bebop. This is just a strange mindset. It bespeaks the fact that you probably have never even listened to music by any of these bands.

You have a semi-valid point. I HAVE listened to all of these bands. While I'm generalizing... they have many qualities that grunge had that I despise. They did away with the huge hooks and soaring melodies I love in the 80's tunes. They did away with synthesizer sounds and guitar effects. They went to stripped back productions for the most part and I don't care for it at all. If you like that sound (and it's pretty obvious you do), more power to you.

You are correct though... Matchbox 20 did not do away with my beloved 80's tunes. They just remind me of the bands that were shoved down our throats that did. And it wasn't really even the bands that did it, it was the record labels and the radio stations.

Matchbox 20 songs, by and large, have ALL of the traits you mentioned in spades (not the least of which, "huge hooks"). Their lead guitar player had a giant pedal board, and boy did he use it. Great guitar sound. Pianos/keyboards feature heavily in their songs--they're just not as prominent/gay as they might be in say, a tune off Raised on Radio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcSNwUD6rpA (note processed/delayed guitar lead with fat tone, chorused clean guitar tones in the pre-chorus, crunchy riff, harmony vocals, and synths)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLaLsNkaEq8 (note heavily layered acoustic guitars, solid piano, synth effects/percussion, harmonies, and general spacy, atmospheric feel that isn't that far removed from a Tears for Fear-type song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9f6KktoMi8 (hook, harmonies, pianos, interesting Uni-Vibe guitar effects, little guitar riff lead throughout the song)

So what I'm getting from you is you dislike bands because of the time period in which they happen to be recording? Then by your logic, modern AOR bands like Pride of Lions and W.E.T. are out of bounds because they "just remind me of" bands like Justin Bieber and Black Eyed Peas. Strange logic.

Wrong. I think to me it's just as much about the style that they sing in. They did away with the raspy. soaring tenor vocals that I loved in the 80's bands. That, and the almost complete omission of keyboards (I am a keyboardist, and like to hear them in some of the songs!). And no, newer bands aren't "out of bounds". I like the new Eclipse. WET, not so much. I just can't get into Jeff's vocals on it. WOA is awesome to me. Again... tenor vocals with an 80's stamp all over it. Saying that WET and Pride of Lions sound like Bieber is just ridiculous. It's not my logic. Someone could come out with songs 20 years from now, and if they have the 80's qualities I like in songs... I'll like them.


I will agree with you about the third song you've posted. It doesn't sound too bad. I've never heard it before, and with bands like this... I base my opinions of them off of what the radio plays. Since I can't stand their songs I've heard on the radio, I have no reason to buy an album to see if it has songs on it like this one you posted.

Penis.

[Rick]

Sorry, but I'm stuck in the 80's. Don't like them, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or any other bands in this style. To me, they're just updated Seattle Grunge, and I blame them for the demise of my favorite music. Carry on...

Dude... this is an embarrassing attempt at criticism. Without debating the merits of the music itself (taste is subjective after all), how in the world could you lump MB20 in with RHCP, Pearl Jam, and grunge? First, each of those three bands is in a different genre, and only one of them is grunge (PJ). MB20 is nowhere near grunge (or the funk-hip hop-rock blend of RHCP), and in fact, they are a lot closer to classic rock and power pop.

This is like an old guy who misses Swing/Bebop in the 70s lumping Led Zeppelin, The Bee Gees, and Sly and the Family stone in as all being "updated disco" (simply because they all recorded music and enjoyed popularity in the same decade) and blaming them collectively for the demise of Swing/Bebop. This is just a strange mindset. It bespeaks the fact that you probably have never even listened to music by any of these bands.

You have a semi-valid point. I HAVE listened to all of these bands. While I'm generalizing... they have many qualities that grunge had that I despise. They did away with the huge hooks and soaring melodies I love in the 80's tunes. They did away with synthesizer sounds and guitar effects. They went to stripped back productions for the most part and I don't care for it at all. If you like that sound (and it's pretty obvious you do), more power to you.

You are correct though... Matchbox 20 did not do away with my beloved 80's tunes. They just remind me of the bands that were shoved down our throats that did. And it wasn't really even the bands that did it, it was the record labels and the radio stations.

Matchbox 20 songs, by and large, have ALL of the traits you mentioned in spades (not the least of which, "huge hooks"). Their lead guitar player had a giant pedal board, and boy did he use it. Great guitar sound. Pianos/keyboards feature heavily in their songs--they're just not as prominent/gay as they might be in say, a tune off Raised on Radio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcSNwUD6rpA (note processed/delayed guitar lead with fat tone, chorused clean guitar tones in the pre-chorus, crunchy riff, harmony vocals, and synths)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLaLsNkaEq8 (note heavily layered acoustic guitars, solid piano, synth effects/percussion, harmonies, and general spacy, atmospheric feel that isn't that far removed from a Tears for Fear-type song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9f6KktoMi8 (hook, harmonies, pianos, interesting Uni-Vibe guitar effects, little guitar riff lead throughout the song)

So what I'm getting from you is you dislike bands because of the time period in which they happen to be recording? Then by your logic, modern AOR bands like Pride of Lions and W.E.T. are out of bounds because they "just remind me of" bands like Justin Bieber and Black Eyed Peas. Strange logic.

Wrong. I think to me it's just as much about the style that they sing in. They did away with the raspy. soaring tenor vocals that I loved in the 80's bands. That, and the almost complete omission of keyboards (I am a keyboardist, and like to hear them in some of the songs!). And no, newer bands aren't "out of bounds". I like the new Eclipse. WET, not so much. I just can't get into Jeff's vocals on it. WOA is awesome to me. Again... tenor vocals with an 80's stamp all over it. Saying that WET and Pride of Lions sound like Bieber is just ridiculous. It's not my logic. Someone could come out with songs 20 years from now, and if they have the 80's qualities I like in songs... I'll like them.


I will agree with you about the third song you've posted. It doesn't sound too bad. I've never heard it before, and with bands like this... I base my opinions of them off of what the radio plays. Since I can't stand their songs I've heard on the radio, I have no reason to buy an album to see if it has songs on it like this one you posted.

Penis.

I with you on disliking the way music changed. I remember when MB20 was in their heyday, and everyone was listening to them, but their music didn't catch my attention, at all. I did like Creed a good bit when they came out, but that was short lived.

[Yoda]

When Matchbox 20 first came out, I was like "eh". But, when they released "Back 2 Good", I got hooked! Been a fan of them since then, although their first album is the only one I can seem to appreciate it enough to listen to from start to finish. The rest of their albums have had a few good songs and the rest filler. BUT, I think they are one of the positives to come out of the 90's!

I was like G.I. Jim during the 90's. I HATED 90's music, and when all of my friends were listening to Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Nine Inch Nails, I was still listening to Journey, Boston, and Styx, lol!

However, since we're well over a decade removed from the 90's, I developed an appreciation for 90's music. Most of that comes in the form of being nostalgic, since I lived in my carefree 20's during that decade! So, the music takes me back to a fun-filled time of my life where I had no responsibilities, no cares, but no money, lol!

[strangegrey]

Sorry, but I'm stuck in the 80's. Don't like them, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or any other bands in this style. To me, they're just updated Seattle Grunge, and I blame them for the demise of my favorite music. Carry on...

I know I'm late to the party on this, but I have to say MB20 has very little or anything in common with PJ or any other band in the Seattle grunge movement. Heck, their first single off of Mad Season, "Bent"...listen to the chorus. It has a keyboard/pad part in the background that Friga coulda played. They were *never* afraid of writing a song in a major key, unlike most of the grunge scene.

I'll say this...I understand your pov Jim. I really do. For the longest time, I had a very hard time accepting anything even remotely close to Seattle grunge and discredited almost all of it without a second's hesitation...and that list, for me, included Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Blind Melon, etc...I thought the majority of these players in these bands were talentless idiots that got their record deals by dressing in flannel, showering once a month and detuning their guitars, if they could tune their guitars at all. Kurt Cobain, in my opinion, was the most talentless of the bunch....and to this day, I simply do not understand how people thought he was all that. His playing sucked, his songs sucked, his band sucked. I only wish he were still alive, because his music would've been far less relevant than it is....instead, idiots place him on the same pedestal as Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon....and that makes me want to vomit as Cobain, alive or dead, isn't fit to wipe the sweat from John Lennon's ballsack. He's just a junkie that can't play guitar.

But keep in mind two things. First, hair bands killed themselves. Cobain didn't do it....if it wasn't Nirvana, some other alternative band would have fired the death shot. That's because hair bands were that vulnerable - with few exceptions like Kiss, Bon Jovi and Van Halen -- all of whom, survived past the period and were active during it. Had the hard rock/hair movement had more solid bands with stronger internal ties, our music wouldn't have to have gone as 'underground' as it did. What happened in 91-92, is Tuff's fault. It's Kix's fault. It's the Bulletboy's fault.....

But the second thing is this. The grunge movement, was not the revolution that mTV heralded it as...a movement, like Tommy Lee Jones so eloquently said in Under Siege, moves in a direction and then stops. Grunge was dead by the mid-90s...it really was. What you had in the late 90s, when MB20 came out, were groups that incorporated some of the better aspects of the seattle scene while also drawing influence from the 80s and earlier as well. Thats why you had bands like MB20 sounding Journey-ish on "Bent," or Vertical Horizon sounding almost like Rush on "We Are"....

Also...I realized a good 10 years after this grunge thing, that some of the artists in this movement were actually good. Look at Dave Grohl -- Here's a guy that the most talented guy in Nirvana...as soon as the junkie died, Grohl was free to really express himself...and the Foo Fighters are a great rock band! Look at Chris Cornell. One of my most favorite, post-grunge era songs, is the Casino Royale song "You know my name" by Chris Cornell...His guitarist, Pete Thorn, is one of the greatest young guitarists on the scene right now and he can play eruption better than EVH. The soundgarden song that rolls on the credits of the Avengers, "Live To Rise" is also a great one. Out of grunge came some good rock...

[G.I.Jim]

Sorry, but I'm stuck in the 80's. Don't like them, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or any other bands in this style. To me, they're just updated Seattle Grunge, and I blame them for the demise of my favorite music. Carry on...

I know I'm late to the party on this, but I have to say MB20 has very little or anything in common with PJ or any other band in the Seattle grunge movement. Heck, their first single off of Mad Season, "Bent"...listen to the chorus. It has a keyboard/pad part in the background that Friga coulda played. They were *never* afraid of writing a song in a major key, unlike most of the grunge scene.

I'll say this...I understand your pov Jim. I really do. For the longest time, I had a very hard time accepting anything even remotely close to Seattle grunge and discredited almost all of it without a second's hesitation...and that list, for me, included Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Blind Melon, etc...I thought the majority of these players in these bands were talentless idiots that got their record deals by dressing in flannel, showering once a month and detuning their guitars, if they could tune their guitars at all. Kurt Cobain, in my opinion, was the most talentless of the bunch....and to this day, I simply do not understand how people thought he was all that. His playing sucked, his songs sucked, his band sucked. I only wish he were still alive, because his music would've been far less relevant than it is....instead, idiots place him on the same pedestal as Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon....and that makes me want to vomit as Cobain, alive or dead, isn't fit to wipe the sweat from John Lennon's ballsack. He's just a junkie that can't play guitar.

But keep in mind two things. First, hair bands killed themselves. Cobain didn't do it....if it wasn't Nirvana, some other alternative band would have fired the death shot. That's because hair bands were that vulnerable - with few exceptions like Kiss, Bon Jovi and Van Halen -- all of whom, survived past the period and were active during it. Had the hard rock/hair movement had more solid bands with stronger internal ties, our music wouldn't have to have gone as 'underground' as it did. What happened in 91-92, is Tuff's fault. It's Kix's fault. It's the Bulletboy's fault.....

But the second thing is this. The grunge movement, was not the revolution that mTV heralded it as...a movement, like Tommy Lee Jones so eloquently said in Under Siege, moves in a direction and then stops. Grunge was dead by the mid-90s...it really was. What you had in the late 90s, when MB20 came out, were groups that incorporated some of the better aspects of the seattle scene while also drawing influence from the 80s and earlier as well. Thats why you had bands like MB20 sounding Journey-ish on "Bent," or Vertical Horizon sounding almost like Rush on "We Are"....

Also...I realized a good 10 years after this grunge thing, that some of the artists in this movement were actually good. Look at Dave Grohl -- Here's a guy that the most talented guy in Nirvana...as soon as the junkie died, Grohl was free to really express himself...and the Foo Fighters are a great rock band! Look at Chris Cornell. One of my most favorite, post-grunge era songs, is the Casino Royale song "You know my name" by Chris Cornell...His guitarist, Pete Thorn, is one of the greatest young guitarists on the scene right now and he can play eruption better than EVH. The soundgarden song that rolls on the credits of the Avengers, "Live To Rise" is also a great one. Out of grunge came some good rock...

I couldn't agree more about Cobain. Complete waste of space musically. You make a lot of valid points, and I guess I just really don't like the style of music that's been out on the radio since 91/92. I think for me it may be more than about just the music too. During the 80's, I was just hitting my stride. Girlfriends, going to movies, staying out late and partying. It was the best time of my life. I associate those songs with that time in my life when I thought I was invincible. Not a care in the world, and it was an amazing time.

In the early 90's, grunge came out which I freaking HATED, than I joined the military and those fun times disappeared. I was stationed 3000 miles from all of my friends and family, and it was a tough time. I think I still hold onto that music from the 80's because it reminds me of home. I never really went back there after I was stationed here in SC in 1993.

Anyways, not to give you a sob story here but I think that's why I turn my nose up to these types of bands. Although I know many of them are extremely talented musicians, their music falls on deaf ears here. I miss those stacked choruses with high tenor vocals, blazing lead guitars, synth sounds (YES I SAID FUCKING SYNTH SOUNDS!!) and melody with punch-in-your-face choruses.

Matt... you're still a penis.