Music Review: "Cradlesong" by Rob Thomas

Rob Thomas has followed a predictable trajectory in his career. From his artistic highs with Matchbox 20 to his latest solo offering "Cradlesong", he has steadily pumped out radio-friendly, half-poetic, undeniably addictive hits. No easy feat, however easy it may seem. The new album is no different.

"Cradlesong" is a neat package of individual radio-friendly hits about love and the difficulties (and rewards) of long-time loyalty. Throughout the album, the listener is reminded that give and take is required for a healthy relationship, even the willingness to take on and carry your mate's pain, whether you understand it fully or not. It is not surprising that Thomas refers to his wife as being "in SO many ways... all over this record," in the thank you credits.

Thomas' voice has acquired a polish and smoothness over the years that does it no real credit. He has one of the best voices among male vocalists in rock-n-roll, and for that reason I will always come back to his work. But the rawness of the early days with Matchbox 20 is gone, possibly for good. The songs are strong, however. As is usually the case with Thomas' work, it grows on a person through repeated listening (provided one avoids the over-rotation these songs will inevitably receive on the radio).

Though I find such consistent top 40-ishness a definite fault, I still must take my hat off to it. It cannot be easy to achieve. It does seem like a waste of his voice, though. Perhaps if he had not felt so driven to be the constant hit-machine, he would not have polished his voice so much. With the rougher, rawer voice of his early career, he could have pushed artistic limits and experimented a bit. He still could, if he were not afraid.

Mr. Thomas, you don't have reach the top ten with every song, and no one will care if an album or two completely bombs. Don't be afraid. Your fear is defining you. Wouldn't you rather define yourself?