Way back when in 1996, lead singer Rob Thomas, drummer Paul Doucette, and bass player Brian Yale, all former members of Orlando rock group Tabitha's Secret, hooked up with two local guitarists Kyle Cook and Adam Gaynor to form Matchbox 20 (later replaced with "twenty" spelled out to help distinguish the band from the number frenzy taking place with band names). The resultant group would go on to take over the airwaves and sell millions of albums worldwide. After the release of their third album, "More Than You Think You Are," the members of matchbox twenty decided to take a break and focus on their own interests. Rob Thomas went on to have an extremely successful solo career with hit songs like "Lonely No More," "Ever the Same," and "Little Wonders." Kyle Cook went on to record an EP with his other project The New Left. Paul Doucette recorded tracks for a yet to be released solo album under the moniker of The Break and Repair Method. Adam Gaynor parted ways with the band and began writing music for various musical scores. Brian Yale worked on his golf game.

As 2007 opened, the reunion of matchbox twenty was anything but a certainty. With Rob Thomas selling over 2 million copies of his solo album "Something to Be...", doubt began to swirl as to whether or not a matchbox reunion would be something Thomas would even be willing to entertain financially. But true to his word, Thomas returned to the group and in the Spring of 2007, entered the studio with the other three remaining members in hopes of recording one final swan song to be included on a greatest hits package.

With the goal of creating something new and unique, matchbox hired producer Steve Lillywhite, someone they had never worked with in the past, to help them complete this final song. Once in the studio though, the new dynamic of the group lead to such a strong feeling of creativity that matchbox decided to not just record one song, but record enough tracks for an EP that would be packaged along with their greatest hits set. With Doucette replacing Gaynor on rhythm guitar, matchbox twenty crafted six songs with songwriting credits given to the band as a whole, not just to Thomas as was customary in the past.

The result of these unique recordings is "Exile on Mainstream," six tracks that sound distinctly different from anything matchbox twenty has ever done in the past, packaged together with the 11 singles that matchbox twenty released from their three previous albums. The six new songs play out as follows:

1. How Far We've Come- 9/10

A catchy uptempo number that is already blazing up the charts. It takes some time to adjust to this being matchbox twenty, but once the listener gets past the surprisingly searing chorus, this song becomes a catchy toe tapper that will most definitely be a great song to hear live.

2. I'll Believe You When- 8/10

A solid tune with a positive uptempo beat and well placed background vocals.

3. All Your Reasons- 9/10

I'll admit, the backing vocals at the beginning of this song on first listen were annoying, but after a good deal of listens, they become less intrusive. This song is another uptempo number that is extremely catchy and easy to relate to.

4. These Hard Times- 10/10

Straight from the proverbial matchbox canon, this is by far the best song on the album, and in my opinion, rivals great songs like "Back 2 Good" and "Bright Lights" as one of the best matchbox twenty songs of all time. This mid-tempo ballad is beautifully written with Rob Thomas' emotions pouring out with every word. A sure fire second single, destined to go to number one on multiple radio formats.

5. If I Fall- 7/10

The weakest song on the album. This song just lacks any memorable feel to it.

6. Can't Let You Go- 9/10

A beautiful ballad that can be likened to another matchbox album closer "The Difference." This song is sure to make the female fans melt in concert.

As far as the greatest hits go, I don't think a review is needed because those songs speak for themselves. Most will recognize all of the songs with the possible exception of first single "Long Day," which was spun mostly on alternative stations before "Push" garnered mainstream success for the band.

While "Exile on Mainstream" is not the full album of new material that many matchbox fans were hoping for, it is an extremely creative work that brings about a promise of more. After matchbox wraps up its tour in the first quarter of 2008, Rob Thomas plans to spend the rest of the year recording his second solo album and has estimated that 2009 will be the year we get a completely new matchbox twenty album.

In the meantime, we all can enjoy these wonderfully unique new songs and take a moment to reflect on the solid body of work that these boys have created over the years. In the words of Thomas in "These Hard Times," "say goodbye, these days are gone." With a laundry list of accolades in the rear view mirror, is it possible that the road matchbox twenty is currently on will lead to even greater success? You may want to call me "Unwell," but I do believe the "Bright Lights" will continue to shine even brighter on this talented quartet.

Wow, this band has such a great catalog of music and this CD package shows it off wonderfully. And for a great price! If you've never bought an MB20 CD before this is a great one to start with. The greatest hits CD has all their singles that were made into videos. That's how they narrowed it down. If you're a true fan you know that there are many other gems on each of their previous studio albums and I recommend them all. The second CD in this package has six new songs. For those who are complaining, it could have been ONE cover song added to a greatest hits package like so many bands do. Rob Thomas' solo CD did so much better than expected so he's been on tour for several years in support of that. And then he needed some rest! Now he's back with MB20 and we've gotten six new songs and true to form they are all over the place genre-wise from pop to rock to rockabilly to blues. The band wrote all of these song collaboratively for the first time. My favorites are "How Far We've Come" and "If I Fall". But I like them all after only a few listens (and give them time to grow on you!). I agree that the background vocals are a bit annoying on "All Your Reasons" and it's a shame since it's a great song. As always, Rob's vocals are excellent on the new songs. And it is interesting to see how his vocals have changed over the years as you listen to the greatest hits CD. Enjoy this music. It is made by true musicians who are actually very nice guys.

When it comes to great hits packages this past year, there have been some that've delivered well for their bucks like The Police and Genesis, who've celebrated their best years of their lives, reuniting and touring again in unison, and have made great hits packages as well. Surprisingly, Matchbox Twenty has had that in question recently with frontman Rob Thomas who had some surprising solo success with his album Something To Be. That did very well, but left die hard fans pondering if he was going to keep delivering on his own, or if he was going to return to his roots. He returned to his roots and reunited with Matchbox Twenty for a new hits album that delivers nicely.

The 2007 Matchbox Twenty greatest hits album Exile On Mainstream, re-introduces the 90's Rock group to a whole new audience nicely, which it has been 10 years since they broke out of the mainstream with their surprising hit Push. All of there hits singles are shown proudly here from all 3 of their big records from 1996-2002. The album includes all of their big hits from Unwell, which had a very catchy and uplifting video, their hard-hitting and haunting Bent, to the Hard Rock driven soul of Disease, as well as other great songs like Real World, If You're Gone, and 3 A.M. There are also a few new songs here as well that add to the feeling of the group including the catchy How Far We've Come. It does surprise me though that the group decided to make it 2 seperate discs instead of one disc, the first for the new tracks and the second for the hits. But, it does get the job done pretty nicely though.

All in all, while Rob Thomas' solo works from Something To Be or his collaborations with Santana on Smooth aren't displayed here, the album alone sticks out to the heart of Matchbox Twenty well, as just the band itself. I've loved their songs and catchy videos, and I think unlike other hits albums recently like Faith Hill's Hits, Exile On Mainstream works out very well as a great buy for anyone who doesn't yet own a Matchbox Twenty album, and for die hard fans. I really think this one is worth the buy, and that could be anytime, even when it is 3 A.M.

Album Cover: B

Songs: B+

Price: A-

Remastering: B 1/2+

Overall: B 1/2+

Matchbox Twenty is a band that I have been loyal to from the very begining. No need to catch up I bought Yourself Or Someone Like You since I first heard 'Push' (still my fav MB20 song)Watching them evolve since then into an incredible adult contemporary band I was more than eager to pick up their new double disc. If you want to get an even better bang for your buck go get this new cd at Best Buy because then you get the 6 new songs and two live bonus tracks of them covering The Black Crows and David Bowie. The 6 new songs are fantastic each one a great listen. Then you get all their singles in a greatest hits compilation on a second disc. I dont know if this is the end for this band. But hearing what they have come with with their 6 new songs I sure hope not!

I was a casual MB20 fan, but really took an interest after listening to Rob Thomas' album Something To Be (which I highly recommend). The first six songs are new, and are definitely different than their past work. I wish this had been an entire album of new songs, but it's nice to have these old favorites if you didn't already own them. Can't wait for the next full album from either the group or Rob. If you already own the previous works, the new songs are a must buy. If you don't have anything yet, get the full album. Well worth it. The physical copy does include a DVD of videos and behind the scenes clips.