It Won't Be Soon Before Long; Maroon 5

Maroon 5 burst into the scene in 2002 with their debut album Songs About Jane, the album was well recieved. But then they produced no album for almost 5 years. Their follow up effort It Won't Be Soon Before Long came along in 2007. Yes, after five years of nothing but extensive touring Maroon 5 laid out their sophomore effort. And from what I've heard, the wait was totally worth the waiting.

The album has a very retro 80's feel to it. Incoporating that with the modern electro influence, their alternative rock album not only bought something very new to the table but also nobody has been able to reproduce it with the same perfection ever since. All the tracks have been penned down by the band members with most being done by Adam Levine. The tracklisting is as follows;

1. If I Never See Your Face Again
   
2. Makes Me Wonder
   
3. Little Of Your Time
   
4. Wake Up Call
   
5. Won't Go Home Without You
   
6. Nothing Lasts Forever
   
7. Can't Stop
   
8. Goodnight Goodnight
   
9. Not Falling Apart
   
10. Kiwi
    
11. Better That We Break
    
12. Back At Your Door
    
13. Infatuation (Bonus Track)
    
14. If I Never See Your Face Again ft. Rihanna (Bonus Track)
    

The album spreads it's roots from the themes of obsession, possesiveness, wanting, physical attraction, young romance, falling relations, odd and self-destructive behavior with a slight comical and satirical approach to the whole theme at time.


My favorite tracks from the whole bunch is 'Won't Go Home Without You' and 'Nothing Last Forever'. Levine's vocals are classy, no doubt. Before I start taking on the songs, I want to start with the best of them all; 'Won't Go Home Without You'. Amazing song with one of the most amazing videos ever! A definite pleaser, especially the leading lady. Pretty falls short to describe her. However we're not talking about her, we're talking about the band Maroon 5. Still, she was really pretty!


The faster, up-tempo tracks take much influence from club music. It can be clearly noted in the tracks like 'If I Never See Your Face Again' and 'Makes Me Wonder'. It's a bold approach that indeed does seem to work. Other fast paced tracks include the racy 'Wake Up Call', but it is more alternative than funk in my opinion. This happens to be another one that I like alot.


'If I Never See Your Face Again' was reproduced as a bonus track. Also this time, Rihanna was featured on vocals in a duet with Levine. The song recieved major air-play, but as much as I have started loving Rihanna since Good Girl Gone Bad, I didn't like her collaboration with Maroon 5. She should stick to dance anthems and R&B chart toppers.


'Little Of Your Time' and 'Can't Stop' are two more fast tracks from the album. Levin's hurried vocals are impressive. 'Nothing Lost Forever' as mentioned sometime ago, is one of my two favorite track. I love the smoothness with which it flows, it's definitely one of the best Maroon 5 tracks ever. I was very dissappointed when they chose 'Goodnight Goodnight' as the fifth and last single from the album. The former has the lyrical depth that is just so immaculate. Absolutely amazing!


'Goodnight Goodnight' is more of a pop track than a rock song in my opinion. It's nice, but there is nothing about it that will make me go back to it. As I said just a while ago, it's nice! However the track recieved huge success in Brazil. Good for them!


Two tracks that particularly carry the 80's feel in concentrated amounts are 'Not Falling Apart' and 'Better That We Break'. While the ballad 'Back At Your Door' is heavily piano driven. Levine commented on having drawn inspiration from Alicia Keys and it clearly shows in this track, as the R&B singer is widely and commonly known for her strong piano melodies.


'Kiwi' and 'Infatuation' are two more fast tracks. 'Kiwi' is simply far too sexual and creeps me out on most of the parts. 'Infatuation' is another bonus track, it's good not great. It's a clear pop track but it's a Maroon 5 pop track. The group's emblem is there, nothing to worry about!


Maroon 5's third studio album is out sometime early next year. There has been no definite date announced as yet. Sadly that will be their last studio effort, Levine has commented that he wants to go in a different direction. Also that he doesn't see himself together with the band in his 40's and 50's. It's sad news but I'll be keeping my ears out for any stuff he comes out with. And yes, you will be notified!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)