"Yourself..." is a superb CD! I've bought it 2 years ago and ever since then I've been a huge fan of the band. It's not too original, granted, which is why most music critics don't like it... BUT if you just want to listen to some good music, this is THE CD for you. It includes spectacular singles like "Push", "3 am" and "Real World", as well as a couple of awesome songs that never made it as singles ("Shame", "Kody" and "Hang", to name a few). There's faster stuff here as well as slower stuff, enough to please any music fan. What I love most about this CD, however, is that it's very earnest and from the heart. When Rob Thomas is singing the lyrics to "Back 2 Good", let's say, you can really feel that it has all happened to him... This CD isn't JUST a collection of radio-friendly pop tunes, it also possesses meaning to anyone who's been through a bad relationship, or just a bad time in their life in general. I also highly recommend (even though Matchbox 20 does not endorse it) the CD by Rob's previous band, Tabitha's Secret. It's called "Don't Play With Matches". If you like "Yourself...", I guarantee you you'll love that one as well!

As the 1990s music landscape progressed into the second half of the decade, music that was categorized as Alternative Rock was now becoming mainstream. One band that emerged from the pack was Matchbox 20. Much of this is due to their talented lead vocalist Rob Thomas - who also is their songwriter. In addition credit can be given to a very talented supporting band - that helps bring out the best in Rob Thomas. Matchbox 20's debut album "Yourself or Someone Like You" was an album that helped put them ahead of the pack of Alternative Rock bands. While I wouldn't categorize this collection as a revolutionary or groundbreaking album, there still is some good music on here - and that helps set Matchbox 20 apart from the others.

As far as Alternative Rock goes. This was originally a term that was a "catch all" to describe those genres of music that didn't fit into the mainstream. In the 80s, you had Punk, New Wave, College Rock, Underground music, etc. All of these were considered Alternative Rock. One genre that evolved as an offshoot was Grunge. Nirvana really was leading the movement here. I looked at Grunge as integrating elements of Guitar Based (to a minor extent acoustic elements) with some of the elements found in the various genres that fell into Alternative Rock. Many called Grunge, "The Seattle Sound". As Nirvana led this revolution in the industry, they helped bring not just Grunge - but the entire Alternative Rock movement into the mainstream. One such band that emerged were the Gin Blossoms. I think the Gin Blossoms took the next step in this revolution of the Alternative Rock movement. While Nirvana brought Alternative into the Mainstream, the Gin Blossoms steered them to the front of the pack. The Gin Blossom's emergence meant that Alternative Rock was something that could no longer be ignored. However, I think there was a backlash with the Alternative Rock movement - a backlash that has probably lasted almost 10 years. This backlash has been the emergence of the "cookie cutter" artists. In other words much of the Alternative Rock music that started to emerge in the late 1990s began to sound almost the same - whether it was the vocals, the guitar chords, or drum beats. This is where I feel Matchbox 20 has the sweet spot. Despite what many critics have said, they have avoided becoming another "cookie cutter" artist.

Matchbox 20 seems to adopt a very simple formula for this album - simple songs. The titles of the songs themselves are real simple. No song has a title more than 3 words and 8 songs (if you count 3am) have 1 word titles. Most of the content of the songs are simple - basically tracks about everyday life. There basically are no political or personal agendas in the music. With this simple formula, Matchbox 20 may seem primed to fall into the "cookie cutter" formula, but they don't. This is where the talent of Rob Thomas comes in - as a vocalist and as a songwriter. Thomas as a vocalist has a basically has a cross between a soulful and raspy voice. It is one of the most unique in the business. Many people know Thomas for performing lead vocals on Santana's "Smooth" (argubly the best record of the 1990s). Thomas brings the same high level vocals to "Yourself of Someone Like You". One other thing to note - Rob Thomas is one talented songwriter (Thomas also wrote "Smooth"). He might not write very deep lyrics, but he does an excellent job at putting together some very catchy lyrics.

Don't forget about the rest of the band - they are able to support Thomas' talent very well. Matchbox 20's sound is heavily guitar laden. These guitar efforts are led by guitarists Kyle Cook and Adam Gaynor as well as Brian Yale's Bass. They also have an outstanding drummer in Paul Doucette.

The collection's best track is the opening one. "Real World" is simply an outstanding track. This song deals with dreaming about being someone else and then coming back to reality. The lyrics are simple, but catchy - (when Thomas sings lines like "I wonder what it's like to be a super hero" or "I wonder what it's like to be the head honcho" - that's as catchy as you can get) The real strength of this track is the terrific guitar work that takes place. This was a big radio hit. This collection also contains songs "3 am" and "Push". These two tracks aren't quite in the class of "Real World", but are good tracks. Both tracks have more of an acoustic feel to it as the song starts as the electric guitars come in at the chorus.

Matchbox 20 also shows they do things outside the box. An underrated track is "Back 2 Good". For this song there is a woodwinds section that plays in the background. This gives the song a unique feel. While not the best track by any means, the last track "Hang" is interesting. Thomas and Cook swap roles with Cook taking the lead vocals and Thomas playing guitar. Other tracks like "Long Day", "Girl Like That", "Kody" and "Damn" are very good as well. The other tracks that I have mentioned aren't quite as strong, but there are no bad songs in the collection

The liner notes contain all of the lyrics to each of the tracks. All of the musician and band credits are listed. There is a "Thank You" section where the band thanks a bunch of people - including individual "Thank Yous" by each of the five band members. Again, while I don't think this an all-time great - it is a good collection. Matchbox 20 showed a lot for a debut band and are able to break from the Alternative Rock mold. The potential is there for greatness. I'd recommend checking this out.

As I approach my mid-30s, I'm finding that something I swore would never happen to me has happened to me... I've totally fallen behind in the times and I have no idea who 99% of the new bands are and when I listen to alternative and popular music on the radio, I'm starting to react the way my parents used to, "eck! What is with all that yelling and screaming! " While there are a lot of new bands/sounds out there I could do without, this CD ROCKS!. Great lead vocalist, terrific sound and very intriguing lyrics.

I've listened to this CD about 50 times already and it just gets better... front to back w/o skipping one track, this CD is like a greatest hits disc... it's awesome. Appreciating the way the lyrics are written doesn't mean I agree with them... songs like "Push" make me wonder how different people are interpretting the lyrics... like perhaps some guys thinking this somehow justifies treating women as accessories or something, but as an adult, I'm just enjoying the songs as-is. If you liked the sound of Stone Temple Pilots' first album and Pearl Jam's rendition of "Crazy Mary," this is a great CD for you.

I am a huge mb20 fan, and I've been one for a while. I've simply been too lazy to write a review... So, now that I'm doing one, let me tell you about this album. It is simply amazing. There is some great stuff on here.

I've had this CD for a couple years, and the best part about it is that it never gets old. Every time I listen to the CD, I notice something I didn't notice before. There is just so much emotion and life packed onto this one disc.

Rob Thomas has a stunning voice. You can feel the emotion emanating from his voice. Kyle Cook, the lead guitarist, also has some nice riffs on YoSLY.

Here's a quick break-down of the songs:

1. Real World - This was one of their original singles, and it really took off. It has a simple but catchy riff that you hear throughout the song. Plus, I think everyone can relate to it - "I wish the real world would just stop hassling me." Overall, it's a great, solid song.

2. Long Day - It starts with Rob and an acoustic guitar, but by the chorus, some electric guitars and the drums have joined in. The intenstiy keeps building through the entire song. This is one of my favorites on the CD.

3. 3 a.m. - This is another one of mb20's singles. It has some great lyrics and guitar work. Everything just seems to click in this song. Rob's voice ties up the song together very nicely.

4. Push - This is another one of my favorites on the CD. Some people say that Rob is talking about abuse, but listen to it people!! He isn't!! If you pay attention to the lyrics, you'll find out that it's a great song. Also - another catchy guitar riff during the intro.

5. Girl Like That - This is a...bouncy song. I don't really know how to describe it. But believe me, it's great. It's another song that a lot of people can relate to. Another stroke of Rob's genious in writing lyrics.

6. Back 2 Good - Another single that is much quieter than "Real World" or "3 a.m." It's a good, solid song. I've heard mb20 call this the "ultimate cheating song." It's much more subdued than the previous songs.

7. Damn - This isn't a bad song, but sometimes I feel like it blends in with "Back 2 Good" a little. But, hey, that's just me. And it's not like I don't like the song - it's good, but it's not my favorite.

8. Argue - This is a short song, but it definitely packs a punch. It has the same intensity and volume as some of the songs earlier on the album. Again, everything simply clicks.

9. Kody - I have two absolute favorite songs, and this is one of them. Rob wrote this about when he was homeless. It's a simple song to play on guitar, but it's so beautiful. It's one of those songs that gets stuck in your head, but it never gets annoying.

10. Busted - A much more hard song than the others. I like to think of it as a hard-core version of "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls. Still, I love this song. Rob really has a knack for writing great songs.

11. Shame - Again, it's a song that everyone can relate to. It sounds much different than the rest of the songs, but that's to mb20's credit. It is a fabulous song with some brilliant lyrics.

12. Hang - Rob's vocals really shine on this song. It begins with just Rob and an acoustic guitar. You can really feel the emotion bleed through this song. Also, Kyle Cook is singing the chorus. It took me a while to realise that, but it sounds great. It's a quiet, sensitive song, but it really is quite good.

So, there you have it. You can probably tell I'm a diehard mb20 fan, but even if you aren't as crazy over them as I am, you'll still love this CD. There's something for everyone on here.

11 million people can't be wrong, can they? Thats how much this album has sold in the USA, alone! Now, my first time at track-by-track reviewing:

1. Real World: Great way to start off the album. Excellent drum intro, great guitar rifts, and amazing lyrics, especially for people who have some problems with the world (dont we all).

2. long day: This was the first single off the album. While it wasnt promoted at all, it made its way to #8 on the modern rock charts. Great song to sing along to if youve had a bad day. more of MB20s rock than pop feel.

3am: This is a pop song. With rob singin about his mom, and Kyle's lound backround vocals, how can you resist?

push: The people who think this song is about abusing lezbians (As paul says: "no where in the song does it say 'i wanna push you around, lezbian'), or abusing women obviously just looked at the chorus. Its a song about a relationship gone for the worse,

Girl Like That: Not quite sure what the song is about, but great guitar riff!

Back 2 Good: The slowest, most mature song on the album. Using something other than the 5 piece band, it is slow, but has a great high point when kyle turns up his guitar and rob "screams"

Damn: The other "cheating" song (besides back 2 good). With rob groaning and the drum intro, and the backround vocals by adam and kyle, incredidbly catchy tune.

Argue: This is how they opened their concerts when they toured begind YOSLY. Its about domestic violence (though i thought busted was), but u cant really tell.

Kody: Definately a soft song, probably the most emotional on YOSLY. About going to a childs funeral and how the kid got killed. The kids name was Cody with a C, changed for some unknown reason (Cody is the baby inside the YOSLY lyrics sheet)

Busted: THE BEST AND HARDEST TRACK MB20 HAS EVER DONE! They also do an amazing rendition of it live.

Shame: Slow dance song.

Hang: Rob on the guitar and Kyle singing the chorus. nice way to end album