“This love” is turning into “Misery“
I remember when I bought my first Maroon 5 CD (Songs About Jane). It was 2002. It was a time where the online music store didn’t exist (At least not for me); and you were forced to buy over priced plastic covers and discs at Best Buy. I was a sophomore in High School and Nsync still ruled my world. But Maroon 5 was different. They said the F word in one of their songs. They were pure rock. It was wonderful.
Now it’s 2010. I’m way, way out of High School and indie alternative music gets me through the long day. But Maroon 5 is different. They’re a little older, they’re a little less angry, and a lot more pop. I was very surprised at this album. It’s not really the Maroon 5 I remember, and yet it is (It’s a contradiction, I know).
Their rock tone is now covered with heavy synth, a pop base, and less than inventive lyrics. Yet, there’s still that catchy love, sex, and violence tone that is definitely Maroon 5. I can’t say that I hated the album, because I didn’t. I can’t say that I loved the album, because I didn’t. I’m really impartial. There are songs that I really love. And songs that I didn’t like so much.
The songs that I loved were obviously the more rock influenced than the more pop melodies. Misery, the first single, is reminiscent of the “This Love” era and their original alternative rock sound. The catchy and danceable tune is probably the best on the album. Stutter and Hands All Over are the other standouts on the album. Hands All Over has that funk and soul, rock inspired tone. The obsessive sex and love lyrics are reminiscent of the Adam Levine we all know. While Stutter has the same lyrical tone, this song is more light and fluffy.
