Maroon 5 opinions

Cafe Society
1

Well, between two performances by Blake on Idol, an appearance by the band on Idol, and an appearance by the band on SNL. . .I’m almost forced to ask for opinions on these guys.

A couple of the reviews I’ve read have gone back to raving about their previous album, “Songs About Jane”.

So. . .any opinions on “Songs About Jane”?

Any early opinions on the new one?

I’m still primarily an “album fan” and I’m always worried that some of these new bands are writing singles for iTunes or whatever. But, I’ve sort of liked what I’ve heard from these guys.

2

Everything I’ve heard from them reminds me of Jamiroquai, who already reminded me of Stevie Wonder. Very poppy, very catchy and well-produced, but I think of them as a band 16-year-old girls would be into.

3

This is the internet. I am a 16 year old girl.

Would you say that about Jamiroquai, too? Because I dug them a bit.

4

Devoid of musical talent, but good at making poppy, bouncy crap that will mean nothing to anyone a year later.

I wouldn’t compare them to Jamiroquai… Jamiroquai’s music is pop-disco, very danceable, with at least a slight musical appeal. And the main guy’s voice isn’t nearly so nasal or whiny.

5

They’re a guilty pleasure. Their songs are radio and stadium-friendly, teenagers love them, but there’s nothing particularly creative or groundbreaking there. I wouldn’t put them in the same category as Jamiroquai because I actually respect him as a musician. Maroon 5 is just my secret shame.

6

And also 59-year-old girls. I loved “Songs about Jane.”

7

. . .see, I’d kind of heard a little different, but that’s why I was asking.

That’s not *always *a bad thing.

8

Here, let me translate:

Maroon 5 is devoid of musical talent to every pseudo-intellectual, music snob because they don’t do anything quirky and all of their songs are about women and relationships instead of incomprehensible metaphors for the lead singer’s crack addiction.

Everyone seems to love them, even if they do sound a tad too boy-bandy at times. Especially check out “Harder To Breathe” and “She Will Be Loved.” Great songs.

9

I hated their versions of both of the songs Blake sang, but I liked his version of the one he did last night. I also like the singer on the Kanye West songs he sang on.

10

Yep, there was a mass email sent out to us pseudo-intellectuals when Maroon 5 came out, warning us that they were on the Black List. Don’t be jealous just cuz you weren’t permitted into the club.

Oh, and the vocals on She Will Be Loved are some of the most grating of all time.

And she wheeeiiiIIILLLLLLLL be loved! And she wheeeeiiiIILL be luh-uh-uh-UH-uved!

11

I liked “This Love” and their cover of “Pure Imagination” (delightfully creepy!).

12

I enjoy their music. Is there supposed to be something more worthy than that?

13

I don’t hate Maroon 5, but they’re no Jamiroquai. Songs About Jane is alright, but overall fairly generic and musically uninteresting. She Will Be Loved, IMO, is crap. Harder To Breathe, This Love and Sunday Morning are the standout tracks, the rest is kind of filler. Overall, I’d describe it as music for people who aren’t really into music.

Jamiroquai, on the other hand, offers good grooves, great basslines, and quirky studio effects with nearly every track, a la Stevie Wonder. There’s way more to get into.

14

I could probably go a decade or two without hearing “This Love” again and be happy. But that’s not so much an indictment of the band as the predictable result of a song being ALL OVER the radio during its prime.

15

So how does that description vary from my music snob description? Because that’s what the bolded phrase tells me.

16

When I heard ‘Sunday Morning’ on the radio the 1st time, I thought to myself “This is the best Stevie Wonder tune in 10 years… that’s not done by Stevie Wonder”. I bought it from iTunes, but did not feel compelled to buy any more, and haven’t listened to it in months.

I just missed Stevie. :frowning:

17

The red-haired kid from American Idol did a swing version of the song, and it’s really entertaining.

To me, that means the song has “good bones.”

18

Tomato, Tomahto. You say “music snob,” I say “someone who’s into music.”

I am someone who’s into music. I spend maybe 20% of every day listening to or playing music. I listen to everything from folk to post-rock to electronica to psychedelica to prog. Most of the people I associate with are also like this. And if music is your “thing,” you’re going to prefer music that’s unique, that brings something new to the table. And Maroon 5 is not that. I like This Love and Sunday Morning because they’ve got good melodies and a good lyrical flow. I think they’re well-crafted pop songs. The rest I view as mostly filler. Hey, you asked for my opinion.

19

Whatever your opinion of Maroon 5, I find the comparison to Jamiroquai just baffling. I wouldn’t for a minute have thought them similar enough to merit comparison.

Maroon 5 is a pretty conventional corporate pop band; a better comparison would be, say, Third Eye Blind or Matchbox 20. If you want to go back even further, the Thompson Twins.

20

I based my comparison on the singer’s voices, both of which seem to be inspired by Stevie Wonder’s vocal style and range. I realize they are largely different genres, but I think that influence is unmistakeably there.