By Susie Salva
Maroon 5 has just released their highly anticipated sophomore effort, "It Won’t Be Soon Before Long," on A&M/Octone Records following up their highly touted "Songs About Jane," which netted them their first of two Grammy’s as Best New Artist of 2005 selling more than ten million albums worldwide. Maroon 5 appears to be settling in to their own groove and definitive sound with, "It Won’t Be Soon Before Long." Fans can expect this new effort to be "sexier", "stronger," and even lyrically darker than "Jane" according to vocalist/guitarist Adam Levine, who affirms that "it’s rooted in what we’ve always been, which is different." In 2006 the group earned another Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo of Group with Vocal for the live recording of their international hit single, "This Love."
"Makes Me Wonder," the bands first single leaped 63 slots to the #1 spot, the highest boost in the 49-year existence of the chart. This huge jump up the chart is attributed to the song’s growing radio airplay, currently top 10 at Top 40 radio and top 5 at Hot AC along with massive digital sales of nearly 250,000 downloads.
Maroon 5 is comprised of Adam Levine (vocals, guitar), James Valentine (guitar), Jesse Carmichael (keyboard), Mickey Madden (bass) and Matt Flynn (drums).
From the first single, "Makes Me Wonder," Maroon 5 deals with faltering relationships, dysfunctional relationships, lack of trust, fear of desertion, and a feeling of being comfortable in one’s own skin. On this disc Maroon 5 has once again captured all of the elements that create universally popular pop rock songs and they don’t make any excuses about producing this type of music. "Makes Me Wonder," segues from bass heavy intro to an infectiously catchy melody. Levine says that it also shows, "an increasing dissatisfaction with the direction of the world."
The lead track, "If I Never See Your Face Again," has a breezy guitar riff which appears to be Prince influenced about a fling where the guy keeps coming back for more. Levine injects a cool falsetto that denotes their popular sound. A burst of electronica opens, "Wake Up Call," whose hip-hop sensibility guides a dark story exploring the depths of betrayal and rage. The disc also shares its sense of hopefulness as well. In the hyperkinetic rock meets hip-hop of "A Little of Your Time," (Levine calls, "the most unique track on this album with some of the best lyrics we’ve ever written.") a relationship must overcome the challenge of distrust and miscommunication to persevere, and the bass-pulsing "Won’t Go Home Without You," asks plaintively for "one more chance to make it right." "Kiwi," rounds out the back section of the disc with a sheering guitar solo and expresses the desire to be the best lover utilizing a nice brass section.
Maroon 5 have reinvigorated their sound by adding an R&B groove-based tint to their explosive rock&roll vibe. The first half of the disc features their charismatic pop rhythms and classic soul melodies co-habiting with searing guitars and powerful rock undercurrent, but the back end of the CD stalls out and is uneventful. Maroon 5 was honored at the 2006 Environmental Media Awards and recently pledged their time and energy toward Global Cool, a newly launched initiative to fight global warming by motivating a billion people worldwide to reduce their personal energy use. For more information on Maroon 5 please visit www.maroon5.com or www.myspace.com/maroon5.
