What makes Bent by Matchbox Twenty notable?

'Bent' debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and received significant radio play, becoming a defining track for the band. Its themes of emotional struggle resonated widely, earning it numerous accolades and reinforcing Matchbox Twenty's role in early 2000s alternative rock. Released on July 4, 2000, 'Bent' is Matchbox Twenty's third studio album, following their commercial peak with 'Mad Season' in 2000. The band was solidifying their presence in the alternative rock scene and navigating the pressures of success while maintaining their signature sound.

How many songs are on Bent?

Bent has 2 tracks, running approximately 8 minutes.

Bent

Matchbox Twenty · 2000

8 min · 2 tracks · alternative rock

A brooding exploration of vulnerability wrapped in polished alternative rock melodies and introspective lyrics.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Bent — The title track encapsulates the album's emotional core, featuring a haunting melody that mirrors the lyrical themes of longing and despair.
→
Push (acoustic) — This acoustic rendition showcases a rawer side of the band's sound, highlighting lyrical depth and vulnerability that contrasts with their more polished work.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

56 /100

Foothills

Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong songwriting and production but lacks depth in its brief tracklist.

What we noticed

The lead track 'Bent' features a steady mid-tempo rhythm with layered guitar melodies and a prominent vocal delivery that emphasizes emotional vulnerability.
The acoustic version of 'Push' strips down the instrumentation, focusing on the rawness of the vocals and lyrics, creating a stark contrast to the polished sound of 'Bent'.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established Matchbox Twenty's reputation with significant radio play and chart success.
Career context: Released on July 4, 2000, 'Bent' is Matchbox Twenty's third studio album, following their commercial peak with 'Mad Season' in 2000. The band was solidifying their presence in the alternative rock scene and navigating the pressures of success while maintaining their signature sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Goo Goo Dolls· Third Eye Blind· Counting Crows