Mad Season
by Matchbox Twenty
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: May 23, 2000
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 35
  3. Negative: 5 out of 35

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  1. PaulineT
    Sep 9, 2004
    10
    This album is great. And Rob Thomas's vocal is like WOW. Recommended for ALL matchbox twenty fans out there.
  2. JarredT.
    Jan 13, 2008
    9
    I often find myself listening to this album. I've always been a bigger fan of slow sad songs, and that's where this album truly delivers. I just wish there were more of those songs on this album. It males me wonder why so many people continually put down these guys.
  3. Curefreak
    Apr 26, 2009
    8
    I like the ballads and the mid-tempo stuff but the rockers sound overly processed and over produced and don't really "rock" Rest Stop is probably my favorite song and is probably the most personal.
  4. HoleighR.
    Oct 14, 2001
    10
    This album mixes wonderful brass, woodwinds, and string instrumentals with the great tones of Rob Thomas's voice and the skills of the rest of the band. Each song has a different feel to it and can really change your mood. This is one of my favorite CDs of all time and those who say its nothing but "mainstream rock" are just expecting the simple mindedness of such artists as korn in This album mixes wonderful brass, woodwinds, and string instrumentals with the great tones of Rob Thomas's voice and the skills of the rest of the band. Each song has a different feel to it and can really change your mood. This is one of my favorite CDs of all time and those who say its nothing but "mainstream rock" are just expecting the simple mindedness of such artists as korn in which ever song sounds the same - head banging and vulgar. … Expand
  5. KellyM.
    Nov 7, 2001
    10
    matchbox wins their fans with a great sound, lyrics and passion. Who gives a hoot if they play mosly in C.
  6. CarlC
    Dec 26, 2003
    2
    I was one of the first to buy the debut "Yourself or.." when I first heard the original song "Long Day". I then fell in love with all the songs on the cd. It was not until about six months later that the Dallas radio started to play other songs. Anyway, I was waiting very anxiously for the new album which by the way, took WAY TOO LONG (3 years!). Anyway, Mad Season was very very I was one of the first to buy the debut "Yourself or.." when I first heard the original song "Long Day". I then fell in love with all the songs on the cd. It was not until about six months later that the Dallas radio started to play other songs. Anyway, I was waiting very anxiously for the new album which by the way, took WAY TOO LONG (3 years!). Anyway, Mad Season was very very disappointing! Why all the orchestra crap! They sound like they are trying way too hard and have a very large budget. I wish they would have not sold so many CD's! They then may have went back to basic rock-n-roll music again. Bad follow-up. 30 something… Expand
  7. Nic
    Mar 18, 2005
    9
    The best album of Matchbox Twenty...much better than Yourself of Someone Like You and More than You Think You Are..other critics are so wrong this time
  8. MoniqueW
    Mar 8, 2005
    5
    I love MB20 and Rob Thomas. Yourself of Someone Like You and More than You Think You Are are fantastic works of art. Unfortuntately, Mad Season is not on par with these albums. On Matchbox twenty's second effort, they lose the charm that makes them so appealing. WIth orchestras and extra noise for no reason, this album is overproduced and hard to listen to. Rob's beautiful voice I love MB20 and Rob Thomas. Yourself of Someone Like You and More than You Think You Are are fantastic works of art. Unfortuntately, Mad Season is not on par with these albums. On Matchbox twenty's second effort, they lose the charm that makes them so appealing. WIth orchestras and extra noise for no reason, this album is overproduced and hard to listen to. Rob's beautiful voice and lyrical artistry are lost in the cacophony. I'm glad the boys came back from this to make a good solid album with More than You Think You Are. I hope Rob's solo debut will stay in the vein of these gems.… Expand
  9. NateS.
    Aug 14, 2001
    10
    This album rocks!!!
  10. DavidThoener
    Aug 31, 2001
    10
    One of the hardest albums I've ever made, hope more people like it.
  11. ScottM.
    Apr 28, 2002
    10
    Not only is this a great album, but one of the few I can listen to without skipping a sub-par song. The critics are way too hard on a band that puts in such hard work to make good music.
  12. elieciar
    Nov 30, 2003
    10
    i love this album
  13. raVen
    Dec 6, 2003
    9
    (9.5) Not a bad song on it--and that seems next to impossible these days. Not only that-- it isn't as if they settle for just making each song respectable. There are some real gems here that will probably be among those I'm humming to myself when I'm old and crazy.
  14. ZachS
    Dec 21, 2004
    7
    The production on this album is absolutely gorgeous. Big step in the right direction: in fact, they could have gone even farther with the orchesta and relied less on guitars. Unfortunately, the songwriting is only so-so. There's only so many ways for Rob Thomas to lament lost love, and this record goes over by about ten songs.
  15. paul
    Jan 16, 2005
    9
    one of the only albums in which i love almost every song!
  16. ajh0795
    Oct 29, 2011
    8
    i really enjoyed this record. though it has some miss steps the strengths easily cover them up and man oh man rob thomas vocals are superb. you will also be able to some nice guitar from kyle cook and paul doucette
  17. kerrym
    Apr 11, 2006
    8
    hmmm if i had listened to critics i would never have bothered, now i am set on discovering matchbox 20 for the great band that they are. Man they get a bad rap from so many people and i just dont understand it!! this album is great.
  18. HadPersons
    Aug 12, 2019
    9
    Matchbox 20 is the band I miss the most. I hate almost all new music and I’m really nervous for 2020 with these guys. I only hope they don’t chase the trend, but rock music and even pop rock music is dead. That being said, I love looking back on their music and this is a great album. I really love the songs Rest Stop, Mad Season, Bent, and a few more. A common criticism of this band isMatchbox 20 is the band I miss the most. I hate almost all new music and I’m really nervous for 2020 with these guys. I only hope they don’t chase the trend, but rock music and even pop rock music is dead. That being said, I love looking back on their music and this is a great album. I really love the songs Rest Stop, Mad Season, Bent, and a few more. A common criticism of this band is that they overuse filler. I strongly disagree as I can feel every song and that’s what makes this band so good.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Album of 2000
35
#35 Most Shared Album of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 14
  3. Negative: 2 out of 14
  1. Checkout.com
    60
    The band's edge has dulled considerably, in spite of guitarists Kyle Cook and Adam Gaynor's best efforts on "Angry" and "Mad Season," but for the most part they're heavily sedated throughout, as are bassist Brian Yale and drummer Paul Doucette, begging the question: Where's the band?
  2. AllMusic
    80
    The record boasts a huge, smooth production and is considerably more varied and accomplished than its predecessor.
    Read full review
  3. Billboard
    70
    On "Mad Season" the band serves up another slick collection of R.E.M. and Pearl Jam-influenced post-grunge classic rock tailor-made for ubiquitous radio play.
    Read full review
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