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List Price: $47.98 | | Label: Warner Japan/Zoom
Salesrank: 943039
Released: August 4, 2009 |
| Our Price: $47.98 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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cradlesong Track Listing:
1. Her Diamonds
2. Gasoline
3. Give Me the Meltdown
4. Someday
5. Mockingbird
6. Real World '09
7. Fire on the Mountain
8. Hard on You
9. Still Ain't Over You
10. Natural
11. Snowblind
12. Wonderful
13. Cradlesong
14. Getting Late
15. [CD-Rom Track]
Editorial Review:
Japanese pressing includes two bonus tracks. 2009.
cradlesong Reviews:
Everybody sing! 
2009-12-20 - When Rob Thomas and the rest of Matchbox Twenty released Exile on Mainstream, worries about Rob going solo after making Something to Be were initially put to rest but then people picked up the album and realized that it was really just a greatest hits compilation with a few new songs. Whether or not Rob has officially left the band is up in the air, but at any rate, he came at us with his second solo release, Cradlesong.
I didn't know at first that Rob had any intentions of making another album; I just heard people talking about it one day so I decided to check the album out. I didn't think that much of it upon first listen, but I listened to it again and discovered that it's great. There are a lot of standout tracks, like "Her Diamonds", "Getting Late" and "Natural". And I wasn't really into "Give Me the Meltdown" at first, but I like it now.
Although "Still Ain't Over You" isn't about anything new, it's also a highlight. "Real World `09" is also pretty good; I know it doesn't sound anything like the original "Real World", but I think that's actually a good thing (the distinguishing, rather; "Real World" is a great song). And the title track (the obligatory we-are-the-world song) is passable. In fact, there are two reasons I knocked off a star: "Wonderful" doesn't make any sense, and "Fire on the Mountain" is TOO theatrical (well, during the chorus, anyway). But Cradlesong is still a great album to kick back and listen to.
Anthony Rupert
Incredible Talent 
2009-12-19 - Not a bad song on the entire album. The lyrics are amazing and the music blends beautifully. If you like Matchbox Twenty you're gonna' love everything Rob Thomas churns out.
Kinda Dull - It is Without Rob's Trademark Rhythmic Phrasing & Attitude 
2009-12-13 - I love all of the MB20 CDs and I love Rob's first solo CD. He has loads of talent as a singer and songwriter. This CD is good, but the worst yet -- unless it will grow on me over time. There is no standout great song or ballad. They all kinda mesh together in a dull unmemorable way. I've listened to it several times and can't recall which song is the best or why. I absolutely HATE the photography on the cover of the CD. He looks like a dead zombie with makeup and painted on acne! What was anyone thinking with that cover? The Music is dull for Rob Thomas. I guess Cradlesong means that it may put you to sleep. It is without the trademark attitude, beat, style and unique rhythmic phrasing of the words -- uniquely Rob's. It is as if he took downers to sing the songs. I'm trying real hard to like it more - but it isn't happening. I will probably sell this one on E-bay because I can't imagine listening to it much more. Suggestion: Bring back the funk of the rhymthic phrasing in Smoothe. Then for most songs on the next CD, repeat, repeat and repeat.
"Cradlesong" impressive, but a bit under the weather 
2009-12-10 - I've always loved Thomas' voice and interpretive style. With "Cradlesong" I find I can't really enjoy more than a song or two at a time. It's kinda like black licorice or horehound candy. You gotta respect it, but it's not exactly fun. This second solo album of his is very different from the Matchbox Twenty stuff you're used to hearing on the radio. There's no sense of playful sarcasm or self-satire, just tightly rendered music underlying somewhat self-conscious messages. It's all very skillful and controlled. No letting the hair down here.
I hope, once he's gotten what he wants of serious attention from the critics, he'll be willing to mix his message with some, well, joie de vivre.
CRADLESONG - New Album by Rob Thomas 
2009-12-09 - Rob Thomas' first solo album ended up with hit after hit, each one sneaking up on you and becoming a favorite until the entire album became a favorite before you even realized it. I think this album will do the same. I had the same reaction to the first listen of this album as I did when I first listened to Rob's first album, ...Something To Be. I thought it was good but I didn't jump up and down. Second and third plays of the first album started to really get me and it has now become one of my all-time favorite albums. I have now listened to CRADLESONG several times and some of the songs have become favorites like Give Me the Meltdown, Fire on the Mountain (a definite U2 feel), Wonderful (makes me want to dance) and Her Diamonds. I think Rob Thomas has another winner on his hands. I just hope he doesn't wait four more years before he releases another one.