Exile on Mainstream is the first compilation album by the American rock band Matchbox Twenty, released on October 2, 2007, through Atlantic Records.[1] The album combines eleven of the band's biggest hit singles from their previous studio releases with six newly recorded tracks, serving as both a retrospective and a collection of fresh material.[2] Tracks such as "Push," "3AM," "Bent," and "Unwell" represent the hits, while new songs like "How Far We've Come" and "These Hard Times" were produced during sessions that revitalized the band's creative output after a hiatus.[2]The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 131,000 copies in its first week and was later certified gold by the RIAA for shipments of 500,000 units in the United States.[3] Internationally, it reached number 53 on the UK Albums Chart and performed solidly in other markets, underscoring Matchbox Twenty's enduring popularity in the post-grunge and alternative rock scenes.[4] Critically, Exile on Mainstream received generally positive reviews, with praise focused on the quality of the new songs, which were seen as equal to or surpassing the band's earlier hits in energy and songwriting.[5] Publications like Sputnikmusic hailed it as a "damn good listen" for both longtime fans and newcomers, highlighting its role in bridging the band's past successes with potential future directions.[6]As Matchbox Twenty's first greatest hits package, Exile on Mainstream marked a significant milestone, coming after the band's decision to record new material rather than simply reissuing old tracks, which helped extend their commercial relevance into the late 2000s.[7] The inclusion of fresh content was a strategic move that differentiated it from standard compilations, contributing to its strong chart performance and fan reception.[8]
Background and concept
Hiatus and band changes
Following the release of their third studio album, More Than You Think You Are, in November 2002, Matchbox Twenty entered a five-year hiatus, during which the band members pursued individual endeavors amid the pressures of sustaining their early commercial momentum.[9] The group's debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You (1996), had sold over 15 million copies worldwide, propelling hits like "Push" and "3 A.M." to massive radio and chart success, but subsequent releases saw diminishing returns—Mad Season (2000) achieved 4 million U.S. sales, while More Than You Think You Are reached 2× Platinum certification with over 2 million units shipped.[10][11] This trajectory, coupled with creative fatigue from constant touring and recording, prompted the break to allow personal recharge and exploration beyond the band's post-grunge sound.[9]Lead singer Rob Thomas capitalized on the hiatus with his solo career, releasing the debut album ...Something to Be in April 2005 through Atlantic Records, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 2 million copies in the U.S., featuring hits like "Lonely No More." Other members, including drummer Paul Doucette and guitarist Kyle Cook, engaged in side projects or collaborations, reflecting a period of artistic independence that ultimately preserved the band's longevity rather than leading to its dissolution.[9]The hiatus also brought significant lineup changes, starting with the departure of rhythm guitarist Adam Gaynor in January 2005 after a decade with the band since its 1995 formation.[12] Gaynor's exit reduced Matchbox Twenty to a quartet, with no official reason disclosed at the time, though it aligned with the group's indefinite pause.[13] In response, Doucette transitioned from drums to rhythm guitar, a shift that allowed him to contribute more to songwriting and onstage dynamics based on his prior experience playing the instrument.[14] To fill the drumming role for new recordings and tours, the band recruited Ryan MacMillan, formerly of the Push Stars, who provided a fresh rhythmic foundation while maintaining the group's established energy.[14] These adjustments set the stage for a streamlined reunion, emphasizing the core members' versatility and signaling a strategic pivot toward a greatest-hits compilation to reconnect with fans amid evolving personnel.[9]
Planning the compilation
In 2007, following a five-year hiatus, Matchbox Twenty received a request from their label, Atlantic Records, to assemble a greatest hits album as a means to reconnect with fans and capitalize on the band's nostalgic appeal from their earlier successes.[13] The project initially focused on compiling career-spanning tracks but was soon expanded to include original material, shifting it from a standard retrospective into a dynamic hybrid release that balanced legacy with innovation.[13]To develop the new content, the band committed to a recording session, from which six tracks were ultimately selected for inclusion, representing a deliberate effort to infuse the compilation with contemporary energy.[15] This process marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time the remaining core members—vocalist Rob Thomas, guitarist Kyle Cook, drummer Paul Doucette, and bassist Brian Yale—collaborated to co-write every piece of the new material, emphasizing a more egalitarian songwriting dynamic than on prior albums.[13]The band enlisted Grammy-winning producer Steve Lillywhite to helm the new recordings, drawn to his acclaimed track record with iconic rock acts such as U2 and the Rolling Stones, which aligned with their goal of delivering a revitalized sonic palette post-hiatus.[16] Complementing this, the album incorporated 11 remastered selections from the band's three prior studio efforts—Yourself or Someone Like You (1996), Mad Season (2000), and More Than You Think You Are (2002)—chosen to encapsulate pivotal highlights from their discography.[7]
Recording and production
New songs session
The recording of the original tracks for Exile on Mainstream took place at NRG Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California, in early 2007, during a single session that produced twelve songs in total, from which the band selected seven new songs, six of which appear on the standard edition of the album (with the seventh, "Come Dancing," as a bonus track on select international and iTunes editions).[17][18][2] The sessions were overseen by producer Steve Lillywhite, marking Matchbox Twenty's first collaboration with the Grammy-winning producer known for his work with artists like U2 and The Rolling Stones.[7]Songwriting for these tracks represented a departure from the band's earlier process, where lead singer Rob Thomas typically composed the majority of material; instead, the effort was fully collaborative, with Thomas, guitarist Kyle Cook, multi-instrumentalist Paul Doucette, and bassistBrian Yale co-writing together in real time to infuse the songs with a collective energy.[18] The lyrics emphasized themes of personal reflection and interpersonal relationships, drawing on the band's decade-long career and hiatus to explore introspection amid evolving dynamics.[19]Among the new tracks, "How Far We've Come" served as the lead single, offering an ironic reflection on the band's history and broader societal progress over the years.[19] Other notable songs included "These Hard Times," which addresses resilience in adversity, and "If I Fall," focusing on vulnerability in connections, alongside "I'll Believe You When," "All Your Reasons," and "Can't Let You Go."[2] The total runtime of the new material spans approximately 19 minutes and 32 seconds, providing a concise yet potent addition to the compilation.[2]
Remastering previous hits
The compilation Exile on Mainstream features remastered versions of 11 tracks selected from Matchbox Twenty's first three studio albums, Yourself or Someone Like You (1996), Mad Season (2000), and More Than You Think You Are (2002). These selections prioritized the band's major radio successes and enduring fan favorites, such as "Push" and "3 A.M." from the debut album, "Bent" from Mad Season, and "Unwell" from the third record, all of which achieved significant chart positions on the Billboard Hot 100 during their original releases.[20]The new songs were mastered at Lurssen Mastering in Hollywood, California, by Gavin Lurssen. The previous hits were remastered primarily by Stephen Marcussen at various studios, with Stewart Whitmore assisting on some tracks. This work focused on enhancing audio clarity, dynamics, and overall fidelity to suit contemporary playback formats like CD and early digital streaming, while preserving the integrity of the original mixes produced by Matt Serletic.[21]Remastering the hits served to create sonic cohesion with the album's new recordings, allowing the older material to sound revitalized alongside fresh content and broadening accessibility for newer audiences via expanding digital platforms. Notably, the tracklist eschewed album deep cuts in favor of proven commercial singles, maintaining a streamlined emphasis on the band's most accessible and successful output from their active years prior to the hiatus.
Release and promotion
Initial release details
Exile on Mainstream was released in the United States on October 2, 2007, by Atlantic Records, marking Matchbox Twenty's return after a five-year hiatus from new material.[1]International release dates varied, with the album launching on September 29, 2007, in Australia via Warner Music.[22] The compilation debuted strongly, selling 131,000 copies in its first week in the US to reach number three on the Billboard 200 chart.[23] In Australia, it topped the ARIA Albums Chart upon its debut on October 8, 2007, with 18,199 units sold.[24]The album was issued as a double-disc set, with the first disc featuring six new tracks and the second disc compiling eleven of the band's previous hit singles.[1] A limited-edition USB wristband version was also available exclusively at Best Buy stores, containing a 128 MB flash drive pre-loaded with the full album, the music video for the lead single "How Far We've Come," and a digital booklet, making Matchbox Twenty one of the first major acts to release a full-length album in this format.[25]Promotion for the initial rollout included in-store displays at major retailers and early radio airplay for the lead single "How Far We've Come," which began receiving spins in late summer 2007 ahead of the album's launch.[8]
Marketing and formats
The lead single "How Far We've Come" was released on September 4, 2007, ahead of the album's launch. Its accompanying music video, directed by Ramon & Pedro, incorporated archival footage of major historical events from the past 50 years, such as the moon landing, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Live Aid performances, to evoke a sense of progress and reflection.[26]Following the album's October 2, 2007 release, Matchbox Twenty announced a promotional tour on November 12, 2007, titled the Exile in America Tour, which commenced on January 25, 2008, in Hollywood, Florida, and featured arena and amphitheater performances across North America with opening acts Alanis Morissette and Mutemath.[27][28]The album was made available in multiple formats at launch, including a standard two-CD edition containing the six new tracks and eleven greatest hits, as well as digital downloads through platforms like Apple Music.[7][29] A novel USB wristband edition, priced at $35 and exclusive to Best Buy stores, housed a 128 MB flash drive pre-loaded with all 17 album tracks, the "How Far We've Come" music video, band interview footage, a digital booklet with artwork, bonus photos, and customizable screensavers.[25][30] International variants included a bonus CD edition in Australia featuring additional content.[22]Marketing efforts focused on innovative distribution to re-engage fans, with the USB format marking the first mass-market release of a full-length album in that medium.[31]
Music and artwork
Musical style and composition
Exile on Mainstream represents a hybrid of Matchbox Twenty's established post-grunge and alternative rock sound from their 1990s and early 2000s hits with six new tracks that incorporate smoother, more melodic mainstream pop-rock elements, including punchy rhythms, memorable harmonies, and occasional ventures into doo-wop and rockabilly influences.[5][32] The compilation's older material retains its original alternative rock vibe, characterized by angst-ridden lyrics and driving guitars, but benefits from remastering that enhances clarity and dynamics without altering the core compositions.[33] In contrast, the new songs feature a brighter, more polished production that emphasizes progression and melodic craftsmanship, reflecting the band's evolution toward a more mature, lively sound.[5][33]Thematically, the album explores recurring motifs of relationships, personal struggles, and emotional introspection across both new and remastered tracks, with the fresh material adding a reflective layer on the band's journey and the passage of time, often conveyed through tightly written lyrics and big emotional choruses.[5][32] These themes underscore a sense of personal growth and the toll of sustained fame, mirroring Matchbox Twenty's career arc from raw alternative anthems to more nuanced pop-rock expressions.[33]Production highlights the contrasts between eras: the new tracks, helmed by Steve Lillywhite, deliver a clean, well-defined sound with fuller instrumentation and drive, while the remastered hits—originally produced by Matt Serletic—gain punchier dynamics and improved fidelity, creating a cohesive yet distinct listening experience.[5][33] The album comprises 17 tracks totaling approximately 66 minutes, presented across two discs, the first containing the new songs and the second the greatest hits, for a cohesive listening experience.[1][32]
Track listing
Exile on Mainstream is structured as a two-disc set, with the first disc featuring six newly recorded songs and the second disc compiling eleven of the band's biggest hits from their previous albums, all remastered for this release. The new tracks were written by the band members, with the majority co-written by Rob Thomas, Paul Doucette, Kyle Cook, and Brian Yale, except for "If I Fall" and "Can't Let You Go," which were written solely by Thomas, and produced by Steve Lillywhite. The total runtime of the album is approximately 66 minutes.[2][34][35]
Disc one: New songs
No.
Title
Writers
Length
1.
"How Far We've Come"
Thomas, Doucette, Cook, Yale
3:31
2.
"I'll Believe You When"
Thomas, Doucette, Cook, Yale
3:16
3.
"All Your Reasons"
Thomas, Doucette, Cook, Yale
2:40
4.
"These Hard Times"
Thomas, Doucette, Cook, Yale
3:48
5.
"If I Fall"
Thomas
2:48
6.
"Can't Let You Go"
Thomas
3:29
Disc two: Greatest hits
No.
Title
Original album
Length
7.
"Long Day"
Yourself or Someone Like You (1996)
3:45
8.
"Push"
Yourself or Someone Like You (1996)
3:57
9.
"3 A.M."
Yourself or Someone Like You (1996)
3:44
10.
"Real World"
Yourself or Someone Like You (1996)
3:51
11.
"Back 2 Good"
Yourself or Someone Like You (1996)
5:37
12.
"Bent"
Mad Season (2000)
4:17
13.
"If You're Gone"
Mad Season (2000)
4:34
14.
"Mad Season"
Mad Season (2000)
5:07
15.
"Disease"
More Than You Think You Are (2002)
3:38
16.
"Unwell"
More Than You Think You Are (2002)
3:57
17.
"Bright Lights"
More Than You Think You Are (2002)
4:01
Cover art and packaging
The cover art for Exile on Mainstream features a black-and-white photograph of the Matchbox Twenty members standing together in an urban street environment, capturing a sense of displacement amid everyday city life. Art direction for the album was provided by band member Paul Doucette.[36]The album title serves as a deliberate homage to the Rolling Stones' 1972 double album Exile on Main St., reflecting Matchbox Twenty's transition back to mainstream prominence following a five-year break from recording new material.[26]The standard edition comes in a jewel case format with a 24-page color booklet containing song lyrics, band photographs, and full production credits.[37] An exclusive MVI (Music Video Interactive) edition incorporated enhancedmultimedia elements, while a limited USB wristband version—sold through select retailers like Best Buy—delivered the full album content via a wearable USB drive, pioneering this distribution method for major releases.[25] The inner packaging includes a collage-style layout in the booklet featuring snapshots from the band's career highlights and tour history.
Personnel and credits
Band members
For the recording of the new songs on Exile on Mainstream, Matchbox Twenty's core lineup consisted of Rob Thomas on lead vocals, piano, and guitar; Kyle Cook on lead guitar and backing vocals; Paul Doucette on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, having transitioned from his prior role on drums; and Brian Yale on bass guitar.[37] Ryan MacMillan contributed drums specifically on the new tracks as a session and touring member.[37] All four core members—Thomas, Cook, Doucette, and Yale—co-wrote the new songs, including "How Far We've Come," "I'll Believe You When," "All Your Reasons," "These Hard Times," "If I Fall," and "Can't Let You Go."[38][39]
Production team
The new tracks on Exile on Mainstream were produced by Steve Lillywhite, a Grammy-winning producer known for his work with artists like U2 and The Rolling Stones.[2] Recording for these songs took place at various Los Angeles studios, with engineering handled primarily by Greg Collins and CJ Eiriksson.[20]Mixing of the new material was overseen by Greg Collins, with additional mixing contributions from CJ Eiriksson and Steve Lillywhite.[2] String arrangements for select new tracks, including "Can't Let You Go," were composed by Paul Doucette and Stevie Blacke, who also performed the strings.[20]The compilation's greatest hits drew from the original production teams of Matchbox Twenty's prior albums, featuring producer Matt Serletic, recording engineer Jim Scott, and mixing engineer Jack Joseph Puig on several tracks.[2] Mastering for the new tracks was completed by Gavin Lurssen, while the previously released hits retained their original mastering by Stephen Marcussen and Stewart Whitmore.[20] Album artwork photography was provided by Chapman Baehler.[2]
Singles and music videos
Released singles
The album Exile on Mainstream yielded three singles, all drawn from its collection of new tracks, which were promoted primarily through radio airplay and digital downloads in the United States and select international markets.How Far We've Come served as the lead single, initially debuted via the band's MySpace page in July 2007 before its official commercial release on September 4, 2007.[40] The track, featuring lyrics centered on themes of perseverance and reflection on societal progress, achieved significant airplay success, peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on the Adult Top 40 chart.[41]These Hard Times, released on January 29, 2008, as the second single internationally (excluding Australia), emphasized inspirational messages of hope amid adversity in its lyrics.[40] It performed strongly on adult contemporary formats, reaching number 7 on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart and garnering widespread radio play, though it did not enter the Hot 100.[42]In Australia, All Your Reasons was issued as the second single on January 18, 2008, with lyrics exploring relational conflicts and resolution.[40] The song experienced modest commercial reception, peaking at number 34 on the ARIA Singles Chart over 11 weeks.[43]None of the singles featured prominent b-sides, though radio edits were produced for each to facilitate airplay.[2]
Video productions
The music videos accompanying the singles from Exile on Mainstream emphasized visual storytelling aligned with the album's themes of reflection and resilience, while incorporating band performance elements.The lead single "How Far We've Come" received its music video in July 2007, directed by Ramon & Pedro and produced by Melissa Larsen for Partizan, with David Lanzenberg serving as director of photography. The video is a montage of the band's history footage, live clips from their career, and symbolic "journey" visuals evoking progress through time and challenges, as depicted in the official release.[44][45]"These Hard Times," the follow-up single, had its video released in 2008, also directed by Ramon & Pedro, with Jonathan Lia as producer and Jeff Pantaleo as executive producer, again under Partizan. It follows a narrative arc portraying everyday personal struggles contrasted with an uplifting resolution, intercut with performance shots of the band to convey hope amid adversity, as shown in the official video.[46][47]The third single "All Your Reasons" featured a limited-release video exclusive to Australia, consisting of a straightforward performance-based clip showcasing the band in a studio setting without elaborate narrative elements.[48]Production for these videos utilized digital filming techniques to achieve cost-efficiency in post-hiatus band projects, and they received rotation on prominent music networks like MTV and VH1 during the album's promotional cycle.
Critical reception
Professional reviews
Upon its release in October 2007, Exile on Mainstream received mixed reviews from professional critics, who generally praised the compilation's selection of the band's earlier hits while expressing reservations about the new tracks and the album's overall commercial orientation as a greatest-hits package with added material.[1][32] The collection was seen as a solid entry point for casual listeners but less essential for dedicated fans, with some reviewers noting the band's evolution in songwriting and production over the years.[5]AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, commending the "nervy energy" of the six new songs like "How Far We've Come" and "These Hard Times," which he described as revitalizing the band's post-grunge sound. He concluded that it serves as a "solid comeback" balancing fresh material with the group's best-known singles.[1]In contrast, PopMatters gave it 5 out of 10, criticizing the new songs as "mediocre" filler that failed to match the quality of hits such as "Unwell" and "Disease," and viewing the package as a commercial ploy rather than a necessary retrospective, though suitable for newcomers seeking a basic career overview.[32]The BBC's Nick Reynolds offered a more positive take without a numerical score, applauding the new tracks for their collaborative energy under producer Steve Lillywhite, particularly praising "How Far We've Come" for its "powerful hook" and "tightly written" lyrics, as well as pop-inflected songs like "I'll Believe You When," while acknowledging some older hits like "Push" as "irritating" but suggesting the fresh material pointed to a promising future.[5]NME's review was notably harsh, dismissing the album as "tosh" and questioning the need for new songs in a greatest-hits format, implying it underscored the band's formulaic, mainstream appeal without significant innovation after their hiatus.[49] Overall, critics appreciated the production polish on both old and new content but often faulted the release for prioritizing nostalgia and sales over artistic risk.[32][49]
Fan and retrospective views
Upon its release in 2007, Exile on Mainstream received strong initial support from fans, who appreciated the album's blend of greatest hits and new material that evoked the band's early nostalgia while introducing fresh tracks like "How Far We've Come."[6] This enthusiasm was reflected in the band's subsequent tour, which sold out 14 of its 45 arena dates in 2008, grossing over $23 million and demonstrating sustained fan loyalty during their first major outing in four years.[50]The album has been viewed as a transitional work in Matchbox Twenty's discography, capturing their reunion and evolution while prioritizing accessible hits over bold innovation. Reviews of the 2020 vinylbox set20, which included a revisited edition of Exile on Mainstream with rarities, praised its enduring appeal, noting how the new tracks from 2007 continued to resonate alongside the classics as markers of the band's commercial peak.[51]Fan polls and aggregated ratings consistently place Exile on Mainstream in the mid-tier of the band's output, often ranking below their debut Yourself or Someone Like You and Mad Season but valued for signaling the start of their post-hiatus era. On sites like Album of the Year, as of November 2025, it holds a user score of 66 out of 100 based on 22 ratings, underscoring its solid but not exceptional status among devotees.[52]Some fans have criticized the album for leaning too heavily on recycled hits at the expense of creative risk, with only six new songs seen as underwhelming after a five-year absence, leading to perceptions of it as more of a commercial stopgap than a full artistic statement.[32]
Commercial performance
Chart positions
Exile on Mainstream debuted at number three on the USBillboard 200chart, selling 131,000 copies in its first week, and topped both the Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts.[23][53] In Australia, the album entered the ARIA Albums Chart at number one and held the top position for three weeks.[54] It peaked at number 53 on the UK Official Albums Chart and number eight on the Canadian Albums Chart.[55] In Germany, it reached number 61 on the Media Control Albums Chart.
Chart (2007)
Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)
1[54]
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
8
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
61
UK Albums (OCC)
53[55]
US Billboard 200
3[23]
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)
1[53]
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)
1
The album's lead single, "How Far We've Come", peaked at number eight on the US Alternative Songs chart.[56] The follow-up single "These Hard Times" reached number 28 on the US Adult Contemporary chart.On year-end charts, Exile on Mainstream ranked number 162 on the US Billboard 200 for 2007 and number 11 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart for the same year.[57] It also placed in the top 20 on Australian year-end tallies overall.[58]
Certifications and sales
In the United States, Exile on Mainstream was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of 500,000 units on December 12, 2007.[59] The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 131,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan data.[23]Internationally, the album achieved Gold certification in Canada from Music Canada (formerly CRIA) in 2007 for sales exceeding 50,000 units. In Australia, it was certified 3× Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in 2008, representing shipments of 210,000 units.As of recent reports, the album has sold approximately 775,000 copies in the United States.[60]
Legacy and reissues
Cultural impact
Exile on Mainstream marked Matchbox Twenty's return to recording after a five-year hiatus since their 2002 album More Than You Think You Are, revitalizing the band's momentum and leading to a major North American tour in 2008 that generated significant revenue.[61] This tour success paved the way for the group's next studio effort, North, released in 2012, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.[62]The lead single "How Far We've Come" achieved notable exposure in media placements, including promos for ABC's Private Practice, the Sci Fi Channel, and NASCAR's 60th anniversary campaign.[63][64][65] These uses amplified the track's reach, contributing to the album's role in reaffirming Matchbox Twenty's status as a cornerstone of 2000s rock, with the band amassing over 40 million albums sold worldwide by the 2020s.[66][60]The album's structure—combining seven new original songs with eleven prior hits—represented a retrospective with fresh material.From a 2025 vantage point, Exile on Mainstream stands as a transitional milestone in Matchbox Twenty's discography, linking their 1990salternative rock foundations—evident in tracks like "Push" and "3 A.M."—to the more polished pop-rock evolution heard in its new material and echoed in later works like North.[34] This bridging quality underscores its enduring significance in the band's career arc and broader rockgenre shifts.[51]
Later editions and re-releases
The 2020 20 box set, a limited-edition 7-LP collection encompassing the band's full discography, featured a vinyl pressing of the original Exile on Mainstream alongside the Exile on Mainstream Revisited variant on double LP. This revisited version included the core tracks plus 10 rare bonus songs, such as "Never Going Back Again," "Suffer Me," and "So Sad, So Lonely," marking the first vinyl release for these additions.[67][51]A standalone double-LP reissue of Exile on Mainstream followed in 2022, pressed on white vinyl by Atlantic Records and remastered specifically for analog formats to enhance audio fidelity.[68][69]Subsequent updates included streaming remasters in 2023, which improved digital playback quality across platforms without introducing new content. No major expansions or physical reissues have occurred since the 2022 vinyl edition as of 2025.[29]