One difference in these new songs is that they were written by the band. Generally all of their other songs were written by lead singer Rob Thomas. I’ve read some reviews that people can tell a difference but to me it just sounds like the same mb20. And that’s a good thing – great music, awesome lyrics, and the fact that each album is a little better than the one before it.

How Far We’ve Come, I’ll Believe You When, All Your Reasons, If I Fall are pop-y, uptempo songs that are great for turning up loud while driving with your windows down or dancing around your bedroom (not that I do either of those). I know these will be great in concert. These Hard Times and Can’t Let You Go are ballads. These Hard Times is the best track on the cd, or at least the one I keep playing over and over.

The greatest hits cd contains all of their singles from Long Day to Bright Lights. Nothing new for me here except that it’s a good way to see how their sound has changed over the years.

The good: All Your Reasons is so fun to sing along with. I love the lyric “Turn my cartwheels into headstands.” Rob’s voice sounds amazing on These Hard Times. Again, great lyrics with “Keeping me hypnotized, the power behind your eyes.”

The bad: If I have to pick something, it would be the 2 cd package. I would rather have it all on one cd. But that’s more annoying to me than anything bad.

The Anna Nalick Scale of Longevity: 5 for the new disc, 3 for the greatest hits one. I would be more likely to get out the older cds to listen to the non-released songs as well.

Listen to Exile on Mainstream