MATCHBOX TWENTY

Matchbox Twenty: Kyle Cook (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, glockenspiel, background vocals); Paul Doucette (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, guitar synthesizer, glockenspiel, drums, percussion, unknown instrument, background vocals); Rob Thomas (vocals, acoustic guitar, melodica, piano); Brian Yale (bass guitar, background vocals).

Additional personnel: Adam Gaynor (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar); Enrico DiCecco, Barry Finclair, Donna Tecco, Maura Giannini, Carol Webb, Jan Mullen, Ricky Sortomme, Jonathan Dinklage (violin); Sue Pray, Crystal Garner, Sarah Adams, Vincent Lionti (viola); Stevie Blacke, Nashville String Machine (strings); Amy Porter (flute); Ted Gurch (clarinet); Douglas Smith (bass clarinet); Yvonne Powers (oboe); Elizabeth Burkhardt (bassoon); Matt Serletic (woodwinds, keyboards, percussion); Eric Ralske, Jerome Ashby (French horn); Matt Beck (organ); Ryan MacMillan (drums); Lydia Mann-Jaime, Vaneese Thomas (background vocals); Carl Gordetzky, Chris McDonald.

The title of Matchbox Twenty's best-of collection, EXILE ON MAINSTREAM, seems to be an acknowledgement, ironic or not, of the band's entrenched status as kings of commercial pop-rock. As the 11 mega-hits compiled here prove, though, the band has a right to be proud. The disc plays like a trip down the main drag of radio-friendly alt rock in the 1990s, with such ubiquitous classics as "Push," "3 a.m.," and "Real World" included.

But the real treat is the EP that comes with the package. These six songs represent the first new Matchbox Twenty material in the five years since 2002's MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE was released, and find the band more energized, focused, and compelling than at any point in their career. Produced by super-producer Steve Lilywhite, the EXILE EP is a polished stream of well-constructed modern rock with an adult contemporary slant, matching the highlights on the best-of disc for catchy hooks and melodic songcraft. Taken together, the discs offer a perfect summation of the band's past and present glories.

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