Maroon 5 is a band that might be considered genreless. While other artists slot neatly into categories such as R&B, hip-hop or rock, Maroon 5 straddles all these worlds with its complex mixture of classic electric guitar showmanship, funky bass and Stevie-Wonderesque riffs.
This is an energetic band which packs its music with improvised instrumentation and countermelodies? the result is a fresh and chunky album that you can sink your entire self into- never mind just your teeth!
It?s very hard to pigeonhole this band based on ?Songs About Jane?. This album is such a hodge-podge of different musical sounds (often in the same song) that the resulting style might have been achieved by pure accident. You?ll find resemblances to quite a few popular and classic artists in this album, but Maroon 5 is best when being intense and combining funk and rock into edgy, hooky tracks that you can dance to. The album itself is slightly inconsistent, mixing funk-rock with ballads (some of which don?t come off). It?s odd that the intensity is best expressed in the fast tracks, while the romantic ballads come off as laid-back.
When listening to this album, I found myself switching between the words (mainly about personal experience) and the stunning instrumentation. It?s basically a feast for the ears and Maroon 5 is rarely lazy when it comes to backing music.
Songs About Jane ? track by track
(I don?t mean to be a name-dropper, but Maroon 5 combines so many styles, I tend to compare them to lots of artists. All songs were written by members of the band.)
Harder to Breathe (medium rock/punk) ? Edgy, intense and raw with gorgeous gritty guitars and amazing backing.
This Love (medium rock/punk/jazz/no idea!) ? Obsession and circularity are distilled into this piece care of the grinding bass guitar, but it?s poppy enough not to be too heavy. Very very catchy in a Jamiroquai-like way
Shiver (medium rock) ? The guitar riffs are on-par with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, while the chorus resembles an N?Sync pop song. So it?s bizarre, but good
She Will Be Loved (slow rock ballad) ?A rock ballad anthem that?s a little bland after the lovely opening. If you can imagine a mix of Ronin Keating and an energetic Coldplay, with some U2 at the chorus, that?s the best way I can describe this song.
Tangled (medium funk/rock) ? The slow funky beat and staccato guitar resemble Stevie Wonder in ?Superstitious/Living in the City? mode, but the sound of the verse is pop. The chorus is lush and intense.
The Sun (medium funk/rock) ? More intense Stevie Wonderness mixed with a slow rock melody. Really enjoyable.
Must Get Out (slow-medium rock) ? Maroon 5 dips back into Coldplay mode. A relatively lazy song instrumentally and it?s pretty repetitive, but it?s nice to have a laid-back song for a rest.
Sunday Morning (jazzy funk) ? This is a gorgeous track. The opening piano is like sunshine or a cool drink of water. The chorus is an expression of happiness and love, but there?s a groovy interlude that keeps the energy going! It really is like Sunday morning and will probably make you smile. It?ll definitely make you relax
Secret (slow jazzy rock) ? Moody. After heaps of tracks where the music is the star, this is where Adam Levine, the lead singer, gets to show off his soulful voice. I think this song might get addictive...
Through With You (slow medium pop??) ?The only things preventing this from being a boy-band pop song are the instrumentation (guitar and pianos blending beautifully to offer substance) and Adam Levine?s voice. Otherwise, with different instrumentation, this could be pure hooky pop, down to the rather banal https://lyrics.
Not Coming Home (recorded live, Slow-medium rock) ? Kind of like track 10 with a pop-rock feel. The guitar is very Red Hot Chili Peppers, but the chorus is almost like Michael Jackson in his popular days. It?s so weird listening to this band! But still heaps enjoyable.
Sweetest Goodbye (slow medium almost R&B) ? An affirmation of love and really vulnerable song. Begins mellow with acoustic guitar, then launches into rock with electric guitars. Beautiful song, very passionate.
The lead singer, Adam Levine has an interesting voice. While not beautiful, it?s sincere, raw and interesting to listen to. His voice is secondary to the music in the fast tracks and only in the slow ones do you appreciate the jazzy, loungy sound to his voice. He knows how to use it emotionally. Listening to Maroon 5 live in concert must be an amazing experience!
Pros
Instrumentation is sensational
Songs (with a couple of exceptions) are winners and very enjoyable
Great mix of tracks that have been arranged perfectly
Energetic, raw, the songs will make you pay attention
Cons
Who will love it
Who will hate it
Those who want exceptional singers
Anyone into heavy emotional ballads
People who like simplicity in a song
Anybody who dislikes the contemporary pop sound, which is prevalent in two or three songs
But I can?t really imagine anyone actually hating it
Summary
?Songs about Jane? is eclectic, eccentric and absolutely wonderful. It?s best enjoyed by paying attention to the instrumentation. You feel energetic and alive listening to this ? don?t listen while driving, otherwise you?ll end up speeding or paying attention to the tracks rather than your driving! I?d say that tracks 1, 2, 5, 8, 9 and 12 are the standouts (quite a few, I know) and for a number of reasons.
The variety and sheer musicality in this album are its strongest points. Most of the songs contain a tempo and/or instrumental change at the chorus that keep them alive upon replay. I look forward to hearing more from Maroon 5 and hope they keep up the funk and the energy- this album really gets 4 and a half stars from me.