Matchbox Twenty aren't a band most people over here really know, but back home in America, they're pretty huge. All three of their albums have been hits and they've sold over 25 million records worldwide. However, they are one of those typically American rock bands that we Brits just don't seem to get, so you'd think lead singer Rob Thomas would have little chance of success with this, his first debut solo album.

However, even though most people in the street wouldn't know a Matchbox Twenty song if they tripped over it, most would instantly recognise Rob Thomas' vocals on the huge Santana hit Smooth, which earned him three Grammy awards. So perhaps there is a market for him over here, and the TV adverts for his album certainly suggest that he's giving it a go.

The bad news for anyone expecting him to become the new Ricky Martin is that the latin sound of Smooth is almost entirely absent here, and musically and lyrically, it's almost a new Matchbox album. That's hardly surprising as he writes most of their songs and is unlikely to do anything too different here, but I did say 'almost a new Matchbox album'. The sound of Something To Be is a lot more expansive than the generic alt-rock of his day job, with All That I Am using a shofar, a kanun and a duduk, whatever they are...

While his lyrics aren't much different to the ones he writes for Matchbox (ie, mostly fairly self-pitying), Thomas has certainly tried to give his solo album a more upbeat feel in general, with even opening track This Is How A Heart Breaks (hardly an upbeat title) boosted by a soaring chorus and backing vocals from 18-member gospel choir Greater Anointing. As a statement of intent for the rest of the album, it's a perfect opener and sets the tone for what follows.

First single Lonely No More also features Greater Anointing, and probably has the biggest potential for a hit single over with the guitars hidden deep in the very busy production and there is even a hint of Smooth in there, which is almost certainly why it's been chosen as first single. All That I Am is also very different to the usual fare,sounding a bit like something from Paul Simon's Rhythm Of The Saints album, and it also has hit potential, though it's much more low-key than Lonely No More.

So, while Thomas hasn't strayed too far from what he knows with his first solo album, it's not exactly a Matchbox Twenty record in all but name. There's more than enough here for dedicated fans of the band to enjoy, as well as enough variation to attract new ones who wouldn't normally be interested. Most importantly, Something To Be is a consistently good album that is actually better than anything Thomas has produced so far, which can only bode well for the future.