Cradlesong
by Rob Thomas
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Jun 30, 2009
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 28
  3. Negative: 5 out of 28

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  1. LenD
    Jul 4, 2009
    10
    Top notch work from the US's premier young songwriter. This is not MOM rock, not by a long shot. Alternately angry, sad, sardonic, sexy tracks evoke the 80's yes, but with a very modern take on instrumentation and sonics. A must for your CD player this summer. Favorite track: Wonderful - full of brassy horns and sarcastic despair that climaxes in an frustrated blow the roof off climax.
  2. DebbieH
    Jul 6, 2009
    10
    A truly amazing piece of work from Rob Thomas, i loved his first solo album Something To Be, but this just takes it to another level. Instant favourites are Gasoline, Give Me The Meltdown, Natural and Still Ain't Over You.
  3. FletchD
    Jul 4, 2009
    9
    Rob Thomas is the new Phil Collins. The "mom-rock" comparison is a joke. Dude, Rob is 37, probably going to have more subject matter for his age-group opposed to "cool" music that makes sense to only 5% of the population like the Japandroids or Black Moth Super Rainbow. Come on man, Rob perfects creating the songs aimed for radio, which he has done for over a decade now, why change it up Rob Thomas is the new Phil Collins. The "mom-rock" comparison is a joke. Dude, Rob is 37, probably going to have more subject matter for his age-group opposed to "cool" music that makes sense to only 5% of the population like the Japandroids or Black Moth Super Rainbow. Come on man, Rob perfects creating the songs aimed for radio, which he has done for over a decade now, why change it up now? In reality, even as a so-so RobM20 fan, this is easily one of his best works, and it looks like he is finally starting to get some of the credit he deserves.… Expand
  4. CeeJ
    Jul 6, 2009
    10
    A very strong album. Love It!
  5. RichieF.
    Jul 2, 2009
    10
    Words cannot describe how much of a masterpiece this album is! His debut was excellent, but this is phenomenal! So far, it is one of the best albums of 2009 I believe! I highly recommend this album to basically anyone. My personal top 5 include (in order) include: "Mockingbird," "Give Me the Meltdown," "Cradlesong," "Someday," and "Hard On You." Also, "Her Diamonds" is one of the most Words cannot describe how much of a masterpiece this album is! His debut was excellent, but this is phenomenal! So far, it is one of the best albums of 2009 I believe! I highly recommend this album to basically anyone. My personal top 5 include (in order) include: "Mockingbird," "Give Me the Meltdown," "Cradlesong," "Someday," and "Hard On You." Also, "Her Diamonds" is one of the most beautiful odes to a sick wife. All I can say is well done Rob Thomas, the emotional and musical beauty and perfection of this album is outstanding!… Expand
  6. jimmyo
    Jul 3, 2009
    10
    This is truly a great album, the singer from matchbox 20, is what you first think of when you hear rob thomas special voice.
  7. MattD.
    Jul 3, 2009
    9
    Rob Thomas gets back to the hookiness he had on his first Matchbox Twenty CD and expands on it.
  8. josepha
    Jul 4, 2009
    7
    This is a solid record with no real misses.
  9. JarrellC.
    Jul 14, 2009
    8
    I will admit, I have never been a fan of Rob Thomas; I'm not even quite sure as to why I downloaded this album, but I sure am glad that I did. His songwriting his beautiful, and I absolutely adore his voice. My favorites include "her diamonds," "give me the meltdown," "someday," "fire on the mountain," and "snowblind."
  10. CarolB.
    Jul 15, 2009
    10
    I am really loving this album. Many songs have a strong 80's vibe. The songs are diverse and interesting with great melodies and meaningful lyrics. Love Wonderful, Still Ain't Over You, Give Me The Meltdown, Getting Late. Almost every song. Not feeling Real World 09, but the rest are "wonderful" songs.
  11. JessS
    Jul 9, 2009
    10
    Strong throughout. Great lyrics and melodies. A major improvement from Something To Be.
  12. NickK
    Aug 1, 2009
    9
    I don't understand how this album got such a low user score. Each song is unique and awesome.
  13. jsaf7
    Mar 6, 2011
    9
    Awesome album, definitely Rob Thomas's most varied work yet. There's a hell of a lot of substance on this album, much more than what you'd expect from a mainstream alternative/pop/rock album. My favorites are "Fire on the Mountain", "Natural" and "Wonderful", but all the songs are great.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. AllMusic
    70
    This dogged sense of purpose does result in a tighter, better record than Something to Be and even it's not a lot of fun, it's not meant to be: it's big music about big issues, even inflating personal issues to the universal.
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  2. Boston Globe
    70
    The Matchbox Twenty frontman’s second solo album showcases all of his admirable middle-of-the-road gifts and offers a glimpse of the possibilities when he explores the more extreme edges.
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    One doesn't look to the Matchbox Twenty frontman for musical daredevilry, but his second solo disc falls too often into the mom-rock safety net.
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