Something To Be
by Rob Thomas
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Apr 19, 2005
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 62
  3. Negative: 10 out of 62

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. raviopatra
    Nov 17, 2013
    7
    It's a good album in general. What makes it less of a perfect set for me is that it keeps on giving this high-pitch rock sound from track #1 ("This Is How a Heart Breaks") to track #10 ("My, My, My") and then suddenly close off with ballad-ish tracks ("Streetcorner Symphony" and "Now Comes the Night"). He should've created a better concept for the album, especially considering it's namedIt's a good album in general. What makes it less of a perfect set for me is that it keeps on giving this high-pitch rock sound from track #1 ("This Is How a Heart Breaks") to track #10 ("My, My, My") and then suddenly close off with ballad-ish tracks ("Streetcorner Symphony" and "Now Comes the Night"). He should've created a better concept for the album, especially considering it's named "...Something to Be" but I don't get what is this "something" he's trying to be.… Expand
  2. MikeM
    Jul 23, 2007
    10
    Ah,frontman of my fav band Matchbox Twenty released this album with one thing in mind....this is not a matchbox twenty album.He wanted us to know that,and he got his point across with "This Is How A Heartbreaks",a pop/rock song with that ever so involving chorus,to "Now Comes The Night",a singer-songwriter on piano,that may cause instant addiction for piano ballad junkies.Also,the Ah,frontman of my fav band Matchbox Twenty released this album with one thing in mind....this is not a matchbox twenty album.He wanted us to know that,and he got his point across with "This Is How A Heartbreaks",a pop/rock song with that ever so involving chorus,to "Now Comes The Night",a singer-songwriter on piano,that may cause instant addiction for piano ballad junkies.Also,the Smoot-esque first Single Lonley No More is an instant classic and instant hit.then the guest appearence by the Heartbreaker Mike Campball shines in "Problem Girl"a fan fav,and my fav thomas solo track. A major influence of mine,i grabbed this right away.my fav singer and songwriter could have dissapointed me,but instead shocked me with this purely fun album,and instantly got placed on my Top 10 albums list.… Expand
  3. FarahN
    Jun 11, 2006
    10
    Perfect album!!!
  4. kevins
    Dec 14, 2005
    9
    I thought this cd was excellent. Every song had a different sort of beat and rhthym to it and the cd had a very nice mixture of sad love songs as well as dance beats. Overall a great cd. Thomas doesn't disapoint.
  5. Becca
    Dec 13, 2005
    9
    while at first i felt that the CD lost some of the depth and tension that epitomized matchbox twenty, this dissapointment went away as soon as i saw him in concert. he sounds so much better in concert it's unreal-he has an incredibly strong voice, an everpresent songwriting ability, and God-given talent for performing. as for the cd by itself, if you haven't heard him live, while at first i felt that the CD lost some of the depth and tension that epitomized matchbox twenty, this dissapointment went away as soon as i saw him in concert. he sounds so much better in concert it's unreal-he has an incredibly strong voice, an everpresent songwriting ability, and God-given talent for performing. as for the cd by itself, if you haven't heard him live, it's not likely to make a huge impression on you-but i'd still give it a nine though.… Expand
  6. Ryan
    Nov 8, 2005
    9
    a great album, so many styles of tracks make it fresh. Ever The Same is one of those songs that you can listen to over and over
  7. RobynS
    Oct 21, 2005
    8
    Really like the C.D, not to crazy about the two songs about death, towards the end of the C.D. LOVE track # 3!!!
  8. PamA
    Oct 10, 2005
    10
    Loved the album. Rob's voice is amazing and just saw him in concert and there was no disappointment there either.
  9. CarlB
    Oct 3, 2005
    9
    Excellent CD! I've had it for months now and am still entralled with it. I especially love Lonely No More (despite it being played to death on the radio), I am an Illusion and the title track. Can't wait to see Rob perform these songs on tour.
  10. lilyp
    Aug 16, 2005
    10
    The Best Album ever!!! Rob Thomas knows how to write songs that people love to listen to! His Voice is Terrific Also!!! CAn't wait to see him in concert!
  11. FrannyH
    Aug 12, 2005
    10
    this cd is brill ! ! especially streetcorner symphony and lonely no more. lonely no more sounds really wat u get these day in pop but he still seems 2 make it work so well ! ! its just 1 of those cds that u can play through and through and not get fed up of it i got it 4 ma bday in june and have hardly turned it off since. the video for lonely no more is really nice 2, watch out 4 the bit this cd is brill ! ! especially streetcorner symphony and lonely no more. lonely no more sounds really wat u get these day in pop but he still seems 2 make it work so well ! ! its just 1 of those cds that u can play through and through and not get fed up of it i got it 4 ma bday in june and have hardly turned it off since. the video for lonely no more is really nice 2, watch out 4 the bit where he wiggles his bum, its really gud. hehe x x x x… Expand
  12. kaytizzle
    Aug 10, 2005
    8
    holla!
  13. NancyS
    Aug 9, 2005
    10
    Have always been a huge fan of Matchbox 20. Rob Thomas' new CD is excellent. I can listen to it over and over and over. Do not tire of it. Congratulations Rob!
  14. stich_77102
    Jun 29, 2005
    9
    perfect album .wonderful job. his lyric are v beautiful.i especially like his songs are ever the same and street corner symphony.
  15. Chrystal
    Jun 15, 2005
    8
    I definitely love "Lonely No More". The album is really good. The video is even better. Overall I think that the beats of Rob's songs are fabolous and want to make you get up and get going.
  16. LauraV
    May 24, 2005
    9
    Definately a great solo effort. His lyrics are beautiful, music is soulful. I definately recommend the album. For anyone who doesn't rate this cd at least an 8 seriously doesn't have good taste. Songs I especially like: "I'm an illusion" and "All that I am".
  17. EddieZ
    May 24, 2005
    9
    Critics generally have been dissing matchbox 20 from the beginning, so it's not suprising this gets received moderately. I happen to think Rob's a very empathetic artist and it's that skillful ability to almost effortlessly emphasize with his listeners that has made him a cultural Top 40 staple, not to mention one of the most likeable Top 40 voices.
  18. mels
    May 21, 2005
    10
    Rob Thomas it one of the most inspirational musicians and songwriters of all time. I love the diversity of the album. He just proves that he can do anything and be great at it. I absolutely love the new album.
  19. vonb
    May 21, 2005
    10
    Are you people kidding with low scores? This is a great massive hit!
  20. CarolB
    May 9, 2005
    8
    Very good solo effort by Rob Thomas. I can't say there is a bad song on the entire album, though some I like more than others. Besides the lead single Lonely No More, I especially like the funky vibe of I Am An Illusion, Something to Be and This is How a Heart Breaks. These songs are a bit of a stretch for Rob, but he pulls them off. I know we'll be hearing one or more as Very good solo effort by Rob Thomas. I can't say there is a bad song on the entire album, though some I like more than others. Besides the lead single Lonely No More, I especially like the funky vibe of I Am An Illusion, Something to Be and This is How a Heart Breaks. These songs are a bit of a stretch for Rob, but he pulls them off. I know we'll be hearing one or more as singles. There are several very good ballads on the album too. I especially like the country/folk song Fallin to Pieces. Something to Be is a very eclectic collection of songs, from pop to funk to country to ballads. But it works and is a solid effort by a very talented singer/songwriter. Oh, and giving a 0 rating to an album that is getting pretty good reviews from a host of critics is just ridiculous and immature, IMO. And rating an album that you haven't even listened to is pathetic. Please try to be constructive in writing your reviews.… Expand
  21. TrishP
    May 9, 2005
    10
    Egomaniac or not, Rob's words and music move me. His songs touch parts of my heart and soul that others dont even come close to.
  22. ChrisC
    May 3, 2005
    10
    I thought it was Great! I think Rob Thomas is a wonderful songwriter and his talent is really show-cased here. 'All that I Am ' is one of my all time favorite songs now. All the songs are good and there are enough Great ones to make this cd a favorite. Buy it!
  23. Jenn
    May 3, 2005
    10
    Rob is a master song writer and I could sit and listen to his wonderful voice all day long.
  24. ChristyC
    Apr 29, 2005
    10
    I love it!! From the first song to the last it kept me listening.
  25. NoahE
    Apr 27, 2005
    8
    "Something To Be" seperates itself far enough from matchbox twenty to reveal the artistic vision that is Rob Thomas itself. "Something To Be" is a courageous and pleasantly surprising effort as well in some ways. In listening to the first and final tracks of the record, "This Is How A Heart Breaks", a more up-tempo, edgier track, and "Now Comes The Night", a gentle piano ballad, these "Something To Be" seperates itself far enough from matchbox twenty to reveal the artistic vision that is Rob Thomas itself. "Something To Be" is a courageous and pleasantly surprising effort as well in some ways. In listening to the first and final tracks of the record, "This Is How A Heart Breaks", a more up-tempo, edgier track, and "Now Comes The Night", a gentle piano ballad, these tracks best showcase the range of Rob's incredible vocals. In watching the DualDisc DVD side, you can see his vocals perfrmed in action on both tracks. "Something To Be" doesn't necessarily strive for radio attention as much as a matchbox twenty record, yet it is a musically diverse record, with numbers to please the more Alternative-leaning fans ("This Is How A Heart Breaks", "I Am An Illusion", "Something To Be") ballads ("Ever The Same", "When The Heartache Ends") and exdperimental tracks ("All That I Am) which feature instruments you don't hear often in popular music. Rob Thomas also stays true to his songwriting schtick, yet he also makes an effort to be fresh and adventurous. "Streetcorner Symphony" reveals more of the happy songwriting spirit of Rob, which is destined to be a single. "Problem Girl" is the track that will most likely be the track that teenagers and young fans can relate too and will be playing on and on on their rooms. And "Now Comes The Night" is a sensitive number which reveals Rob's songwriting in its most honest, rawest form. Critics who haven't looked too kindly on matchbox twenty from the beginning may dismiss this as another lame duck effort from Rob Thomas. But even Rolling Stone, a publication which has had a fairly sour relationship with Rob Thomas these years, have stated it perfectly about Rob: "Underestimate Rob Thomas at your own peril." And "Something to Be" may very well only be the blueprint of an artistic vision quest Rob Thomas is bound to continue upon in the not-so-distant future.… Expand
  26. JeremyJ
    Apr 27, 2005
    9
    This album is great. I would of liked a little more rock, like his earlier albums, but there is a great mix of all different kinds of music, that all fit together very well.
  27. Jilli
    Apr 27, 2005
    10
    If you love Rob you'll love the CD. Not a song on the CD I didn't like. Definitely worth adding to your collection.
  28. JessicaB.
    Apr 26, 2005
    10
    This cd is wonderful! If you love matchbox 20, you will love this also!
  29. BrettP
    Apr 25, 2005
    10
    Terrific variety of music. Shows more sides to Rob Thomas that we were yet to see until "Something to Be". I highly recommend this album.
  30. JeffreyB
    Apr 24, 2005
    9
    Rob Thomas showcases here that: 1) he knows how to write the perfect pop song; and 2) he's got plenty of soul. There's not a bad track on the CD--an all-too-rare occurrence these days.
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Most Discussed Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. Blender
    40
    The momentum collapses with ballads that would suit not only his band but even the Backstreet Boys. [May 2005, 124]
  2. Rolling Stone
    70
    Even Matchbox-ish numbers like "Ever the Same" sound fresh in this new context.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Alas, the nuance that infuses a good chunk of Something to Be eventually gives way to the hammy, overemotive gestures we've come to expect from Thomas. [22 Apr 2005, p.61]
See all critic reviews »