Album- Hands All Over
Artist-Maroon 5
The bands third studio album didn’t really set the world
alight like their first two records did and signalled that they were going
downhill, that is until the release of the great poppy song that is Moves Like Jagger.
But was it really not a good record?
Track 1- Misery
The albums lead single is one of the most pop confections on
the record. Adam Levine’s vocals give a sense of being in love but also in
misery, which works great with the sentiments of the song. In terms of lyrical
quality it’s not as great as some of the bands other work, being quite light
and frothy so in a sense throwaway, perhaps an indication of why this single
underperformed compared to previous singles. However the up tempo production value
is really good, a steady drum beat and great use of guitar, whilst giving just
a hint of soul to this song.
2.5/5
Track 2- Give A
Little More
This track is better than the previous one because it has
more of a soul feel to it which sounds more sonically pleasing, although that’s
not to say the band can’t do pop, nor that this isn’t a pop song. But the track
just all-round works better. The drums beats steady but a little bit harsher
and the electric guitar comes out a little bit more within this song. The
lyrics are also more astute, with the hook being simple and memorable, although
the repetition could be perceived as a little annoying. Vocally Levine also
works better on this track, with the slow lyrical stresses on the verses
allowing for a punchy, catchy quality to the chorus.
3/5
Track 3- Stutter
This is more of a pop number than the previous track but is
one song where the band shows they can do pop well, and is a song that produces
a really feel good sound. The lyrics of the track are a tad clichéd but have a
sense of fun to them and with the lyrical stresses of certain words it has a
lingering tone that is appealing and gives the track that true sense of lead
singer Levine stuttering in love. It is definitely Levine’s vocal performance
that is the best part of the track, with the lightness of his tone having that
sense of a love rush but the way in which he sings certain words, particular
the sibilance of “stutter”, has a charming and appealing quality that gives
that small hint of sexiness. And with the powerful bass drum and nice guitar
rhythms the track just feels light and bouncy, having that rom com kind of feel
that many will find appealing. Definitely one of the album highlights.
3.5/5
Track 4- Don’t Know
Nothing
This track definitely sits into more of a soul pop kind of
territory with the “ooooh” motif and old school kind of production, although
the forceful bass beats and the subtle synths just give that modern flavouring.
The tracks vocals are nice and light and don’t exactly have a great impact but
have a bit of passion with the high vocal of the chorus. And whilst the lyrics
aren’t really deep they do give off a sense of tug of war love that is
appealing to listen to, if a little bland. ]
2.5/5
Track 5- Never Gonna
Leave This Bed
This number is one of the strongest of the record, being a
sweet ballad that has a sense of vulnerability but also conveys that idea of
finding strength in the power of love. The lyrics are kind of storytelling and
so have a sense of poetry to them, with the line “I’m never gonna leave this
bed” having a nice, heartfelt quality. The light vocal tone of Levine really
works within this track, giving it a tangible sweetness and I love you quality
that will be very appealing to a lot of Maroon 5’s fan base. The production is
also great in terms of the way that it builds within the song, being stripped
back within the verses and giving way to powerful drums and guitar within the
chorus that just strengthen the songs lyrical message.
4/5
Track 6- I Can’t Lie
The la la la vocal introduction and the smooth production
mark this track as a typical love jam in which vocalist Levine exclaims that
his girl is all he thinks about and that he can’t tell a lie, he loves her. The
lyrics feature a nice hook but are extremely clichéd when it comes to the idea
of love. However with his light tone and the wavering vocals of the chorus
gives a nice charm to the track that makes it a little less bland, and the
guitar strumming and simple drum basses keep the song ticking along with a nice
groove, even if they are themselves stereotypical.
2.5/5
Track 7- Hands All
Over
The title track is a smouldering sexual affair that features
some cool synth bits and a darker melodic tone that is a welcome change of
pace. The vocal performance of Levine is really great within this track, with
the dipping between keys in different sections of the track offering a nice
vocal build to the track and giving that sexy appeal to the number. The lyrics aren’t
particularly strong in the verses but the simple chorus has a nice edge and a
good hook that can really get stuck in your head. It’s just a good number that
offers that nice little bit of diversity.
3.5/5
Track 8- How
This lamenting affair features some nice 3 note piano
instrumentation that gives a great mood to the track from the very beginning.
And whilst the steady drum bass and use of guitars sounds a bit too bland, the emotional
level of the song works well with the production. Although his vocals are a
little light a sense of heartbreak is still conveyed within Levine’s vocal
performance. And in this song the lyrics are actually a bit more lyrically
astute, holding the listeners interest and being built around a solid
questioning of a relationship that gives a nice hook to the song.
3.5/5
Track 9- Get Back In
My Life
The change of pace to a cool, up tempo groove offers a nice
diverse sound to the record, making it a more capturing listener. The “ooooh”
motif is cool if a bit stereotypical of the band, and whilst the lyrics don’t necessarily
have the ear capturing effect of the other songs, the production value of the
track makes up for this, with the electric guitar and drum beats having just a
little more grit and moody feel to them that they sound more refreshing, with
the little production breakdown in the middle section being that little bit
powerful. The vocals are just alright, not really giving enough passion but
doing their job, although the ad libs in the last moments of the song just
sound lazy.
3/5
Track 10- Just A
Feeling
The album shifts back into a down tempo melancholic tone
within this number, but this track has a deeper overall tone and feels a little
more passionate. Vocally this is a really nice number, with the key changes
leading into the chorus giving that sense of Levine really hurting from this
break up. And the lyrics are cool in that they employ some nice metaphors and
have that storytelling quality that is relatable, with the only downside being
that the hook might be a little annoying. The production keeps a nice dramatic
tone, if yet again being just that little bit stereotypical that you can’t help
but think that the band needs a different sound.
3/5
Track 11- Runaway
The deep vocals of this track within the verses against the
chorus are nice, but apart from that the song is just a little bit boring,
having a distinct lack of passion, bland production and already done before
kind of lyrics. And the structure of the track just feels too rehearsed. Definitely
the weakest song.
2/5
Track 12- Out of
Goodbyes (with Lady Antebellum)
This down tempo chilled number could have been really
boring, but with addition of Lady Antebellu it is given a bit of a kick and a
nicer overall sound, acting almost like a twofold story between two lovers. The
production gives a really smooth and chilled attitude to the song that makes it
a really nice listen, and this is also helped by the smoothness of the two
combined vocals. The lyrics are a bit more complex and rich, even if they offer
the same kind of love perspective as the other numbers.
3/5
Track 13- Moves Like
Jagger (featuring Christina Aguilera)
Recorded after the original release of the album and presenting
an even poppier sound for the group, this was the track that rejuvenated people’s
interests in Maroon 5. And with a fast paced groove that is extremely catchy it’s
not hard to see why. The tracks cool guitar and electro driven production with
a nice but powerful undercurrent gives a great dance groove, with the
whilstling effects employed throughout making the catchiness of the song even
more so. The lyrics are just light and fun featuring a chorus that is so simple
but catchy, and with his light vocal performance Levine just embodies the fun
of the track. The Aguilera feature is a small but great bit of the song that
plays well on the sexual ideologies of the track and offers a good vocal
contrast. All in all a great pop track.
4/5
Final Review
This isn’t a bad album, as it features some solids songs,
catchy hooks and a good overall sound that makes for a cohesive record. The
problem is it isn’t a great album because the songs feel to similar, particularly
lyrically and sonically, and sometimes a lack of passion seemingly lets the music
down. So whilst the band was not really out of the game with this record, they weren’t
really in it either.
5.5/10
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