Cradlesong [ENHANCED]

Rob Thomas

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 2009)
• Original Release Date: June 30, 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B001Q9F0D6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #213 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Pop > Adult Alternative

Track Listings

1. Her Diamonds

2. Gasoline

3. Give Me The Meltdown

4. Someday

5. Mockingbird

6. Real World '09

7. Fire On The Mountain

8. Hard On You

9. Still Ain't Over You

10. Natural

11. Snowblind

12. Wonderful

13. Cradlesong

14. Getting Late

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Arguably the most accomplished singer/songwriter of his generation, Rob Thomas is one of modern music's most compelling and commercially successful artists. Between Matchbox Twenty, his solo work, and his various collaborations with iconic artists like Santana and Mick Jagger, his tally now stands at more than 80 million albums sold worldwide.

The latest magical collection of Thomas-crafted inspiration is his second solo album, Cradlesong. The new album follows his 2005 multiplatinum solo debut, ...Something To Be, which made history as the first album by a male artist from a rock or pop group to debut at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 since the chart was launched 50 years earlier. The album earned a pair of Grammy nominations and spawned a string of hit singles, including the smash 'Lonely No More' which was #1 in 15 countries. cradlesong, with Matt Serletic again in the producer's chair, was forged in a creatively charged atmosphere. The result is a percussive rock record that pulses with passion and energy and portrays a world he views with boundless optimism.

Despite the occasionally discouraging lyric, Thomas infuses that hopeful spirit into cradlesong. 'I'm not a mopey person; I don't get satisfaction in heartache and despair. With the exception of a few things that start dark and stay dark, there's usually a hopefulness at the end of each song,' he says. 'There has to be; it s the hopeful part that makes you want to share them with people. It's the hopeful part that says you found some secret in the pain and maybe some other people will, too.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rob Thomas Explores a Fresh New Sound with "cradlesong", June 30, 2009

By	Michael Yovkovich - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After reuniting with matchbox twenty for 2007's "Exile on Mainstream," Rob Thomas returns to his solo work with his new offering "cradlesong," and the result is a fresh mix of tunes that blends 80's synth-pop with today's current pop sound. The album plays out as such.

1. Her Diamonds- 8/10
The first single off the album, "Diamonds" is a feel-good midtempo number that builds to a rousing chorus. A great summer song that is sure to continue growing at radio.

2. Gasoline- 10/10
Starts off with a digitized drum beat before breaking into an all out 80's power pop ballad that is brought up nicely to today's modern pop standards. The chorus is very simple, yet extremely catchy.

3. Give Me The Meltdown- 9/10
The jangling guitar riffs during the verses of this song remind me very much so of David Bowie's "Let's Dance." This is an uptempo number with solid backing vocals and an extremely catchy chorus. Once again, the 80's synth-pop influence is present in this one. This is sure to be a favorite at Thomas' live shows.

4. Someday- 9/10
A beautifully arranged song with heartfelt lyrics, "Someday" represents what Rob Thomas does best as an artist. An emotional mid-tempo ballad with a memorable piano riff echoing throughout and a solid sing-a-long portion at the end, this is a sure-fire single.

5. Mockingbird- 10/10
Plain and simple, one of the best uptempo songs Rob Thomas has put out to date. The verses build up amazingly well to an undeniably catchy chorus filled with solid backing vocals and the on-point emotional delivery of Thomas' phrasing. The lyrics in this song are extremely easy to relate to and the 80's synth-pop is once again present throughout.

6. Real World 09'- 7/10
For those like me expecting this to be a new interpretation of the hit Thomas had with matchbox twenty in 1997, you will probably be a bit disappointed to hear that it is not. "Real World 09'" is an uptempo synth-pop song that is pleasant enough, but suffers from having so many catchy songs surrounding it.

7. Fire On The Mountain- 9/10
This song starts off with an almost tribal drumbeat that keeps the pace slow through the verses before building up to a soaring chorus. The guitar riffs during the chorus give this song an almost epic feel to it.

8. Hard On You- 7/10
A pleasant midtempo number that maintains a very relaxing sound throughout.

9. Still Ain't Over You- 8/10
This is a completely new type of sound for Rob Thomas. An uptempo number that builds well to a chorus that is chalk full of searing guitar riffs and emotional phrasing.

10. Natural- 8/10
A haunting midtempo tune that's tone can be best described as raw emotion.

11. Snowblind- 8/10
A beautifully written midtempo song with solid backing vocals.

12. Wonderful- 9/10
This song melds together big band instruments, searing guitar riffs, and well crafted melodies seamlessly. The result is one of the most unique and fresh songs on the album.

13. Cradlesong- 9/10
A song that begins with nothing more than an acoustic guitar, Rob Thomas tugs at the heartstrings with this emotional tearjerker. Throw in some beautiful backing vocals and amazing lyrics and you have a truly exceptional song.

14. Getting Late- 7/10
This slow tempo folksy ballad is a nice reflective tune to end the album with.

BONUS TRACKS

15. Years From Now- 8/10
Another solid midtempo number that Thomas fans will definitely want in their collection.

16. Remembered Well- 8/10
Similar to the big band sound of "Wonderful" but slowed down to an almost 50's style sound, this is another solid midtempo tune.

After the success of 2005's "Something to Be..." you have to give Rob Thomas credit for not sticking to the same formula with "cradlesong." Rob takes a creative leap of faith with his latest release, and the result is a fresh batch of songs that are sure to get tons of airplay over the next couple of years. "cradlesong" serves as another entertaining chapter in the story of one of the best songwriters in the business today.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I needed!, July 3, 2009

By	S. Pederson (Batavia, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I disagree that he's breaking any new ground on this one (he's not) but I don't WANT any new ground broken! I am LOVING this CD - a few tracks caught me making an audible approving comment - on the first listen!

If you are a RT (or MB20) fan, you cannot go wrong with this one - it's a great listen.

It seems that there is so little going on right now to make people happy - this CD makes me happy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner from Rob Thomas!, July 1, 2009

By	LaLuna "Carolann" (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

With Cradlesong, Rob Thomas once again demonstrates that he is among the top songwriters and musicians of a generation. This album will appeal to a vast audience with its vintage pop inspired sound and lyrics that are widely relevant to everyday issues that people face in this world, like crazy politics and faltering relationships. Don't expect a Matchbox Twenty or Something to Be sound from this album; Rob is expanding his talents and walking a bit of new ground here, but his deftness with melody and lyrics provide the quality and depth that one would expect. In my opinion, every track is a winner, but I personally can't stop playing "Give Me the Meltdown." Rob's vocals on Cradlesong are excellent and he displays some range not seen before, like the high notes in "Snowblind," proving that he has as much talent with performing his songs as he does with writing them. In short, Rob Thomas/Matchbox Twenty fans will love this album, and so will anyone else.