Rob Thomas
Cradlesong
6/30

On the follow-up to his chart-topping 2005 solo debut, Rob Thomas tries on New Wave (the synthy, Devo-esque “Gasoline”), country (“Getting Late”) and world music (“Her Diamonds,” featuring Japanese taiko drums). “I recorded all these moments when I felt, like, ‘I’m Paul Simon,’ or ‘I’m INXS,’ ” says the Matchbox Twenty singer. “But I still retained my identity as a songwriter — I just dressed it up.”