Matchbox 20 - Yourself or Someone Like You (1996)

Why Listen?

It’s 1996. Grunge is fading, boy bands are warming up their vocal cords, and somewhere in the middle of it all, Matchbox 20 drops Yourself or Someone Like You—an album that feels like a well-worn leather jacket: rugged, familiar, and somehow cool no matter the decade.

This isn’t just another post-grunge record trying to ride Nirvana’s coattails; it’s a collection of songs that wears its heart on its sleeve, delivering angst, introspection, and just enough pop polish to keep you humming along for days.

The album kicks off with “Real World”, a track so catchy it could make even your most cynical friend tap their foot. Rob Thomas’s raspy vocals are the emotional anchor here—equal parts vulnerable and defiant—as he asks life’s big questions (“Please don’t change / Please don’t break”).

And then there’s “Push”, the song that made every ’90s mixtape worth its weight in angst. It’s moody without being melodramatic, raw without being reckless—a perfect storm of emotion wrapped in driving guitar riffs and a chorus that practically begs you to belt it out in the car.

But this album isn’t all radio-ready hits (though there are plenty). Tracks like “Kody” and “Hang” dig deeper, showcasing Matchbox 20’s ability to slow things down without losing their edge. These songs feel like late-night conversations with an old friend—intimate, honest, and unafraid to sit in the messiness of life.

What makes Yourself or Someone Like You stand out is its versatility. It’s an album you can cry to, drive to, or scream-sing in your bedroom when no one’s home. The guitars shimmer and crunch in all the right places, the drums hit with purpose, and Rob Thomas’s voice? It’s like a warm whiskey shot—smooth at first but with just enough burn to remind you it’s real.

Three decades later, this album still holds up because it doesn’t try too hard to be anything other than itself. It’s not pretentious or overproduced; it’s just good music that speaks to anyone who’s ever felt a little lost but keeps moving forward anyway.

Curator's Note:

I think everyone should listen to this album at least once. It's healthy radio music that everyone can appreciate, even those who hate radio music. If I had to guess which UNIS member would like Matchbox 20 the most, I pick Bang Yunha. It's just a vibe thing. OK, enjoy!