Which is why this record is disappointing. Matthews seems to be making the songs tighter and tighter, demonstrated here by the fact that no song exceeds five minutes in length. Whereas he used to write songs for college students to get high to, he now writes music for fourteen-year-old girls with braces, keeping things short and sweet.

The album, fortunately, is good nonetheless. “So Right” opens the record strongly; and on “Angel,” Matthews slows things down with a beautifully melodic and poignant ballad. “If I Had It All” and “Everyday” demonstrate the talent and excellent musicianship of the band, both leaving room for expansion in a live set. And while these songs will likely expand the bands’ audience with their pop potential, die-hard fans will most likely be kept perfectly happy with the live renditions. And besides, isn’t being pop and indie at the same time every musicians dream?