Posted October 4, 200717 yr Interesting review -_- Maroon 5 best when Levine's voice in charge By Greg Kot | Tribune music critic October 4, 2007 Maroon 5 headlined a nearly full Allstate Arena on Tuesday, and looked a little lost. Too big, too soon, this is a marginal rock band with little feel for working a room or commanding a stage. Frankly, they were demolished by their opening act, the Hives, five over-the-top Swedes in matching black-and-white suits. They packed personality, humor and eight punch-the-sky garage-rock anthems into a joyous 30-minute set. But Maroon 5 does have Adam Levine, and he made up for his band's gaping lack of charisma with a high, keening tenor that ranged across three octaves. His falsetto leaps and easygoing feel for pop-soul ballads were easy on the ears and had the predominantly female audience swooning. He has the makings of another Justin Timberlake, steeped in bringing-sexy-back videos and blue-eyed R&B. He's also got a black book of girlfriends who have made him a celebrity while providing grist for a stream of makeup and breakup songs. But as the Allstate show affirmed, his band's sluggish rhythm section and rote guitar riffs do little to magnify his strengths. That hasn't stopped the Los Angeles quintet from becoming a runaway success. They're in the first week of an arena tour behind their second album, "It Won't Be Soon Before Long," the million-selling follow-up to one of the decade's most successful rock debuts, the 2002 release "Songs about Jane." The band's formulaic songs share a certain earnestness and cross-format appeal with the likes of previous best sellers such as Train, Matchbox 20 and Hootie and the Blowfish. When the band aimed for blustery arena-rock in "Shiver," "Harder to Breathe," "Wake Up Call" and "The Sun," the strain showed. "Sunday Morning" epitomized the band's hybrid approach, a ballad tarted up with power chords. But when it eased off a bit and let Levine roll, the music held a breezy appeal. The opening "If I Never See Your Face Again" and "Makes Me Wonder" even had enough of a groove to get the fans into the aisles and dancing. "Won't Go Home Without You" and "She Will Be Loved" broke out the syrup, but Levine never poured it on. He just sang, with restraint, elegance, maturity. If he actually had something to say, he'd be dangerous. If he were a solo act, he'd be a bigger star than he already is. But for now, he's a singer trapped in the wrong band. ----------
October 4, 200717 yr I'd love to see a performance to see if this is true though. Why would they perform without enthusiasm? :huh:
October 4, 200717 yr Well I would imagine Adam being enthusiastic though. :o Not sure about the band members. :/
October 7, 200717 yr Too big, too soon, this is a marginal rock band with little feel for working a room or commanding a stage. That's harsh..I bet they are good live. What is with them comparing Adam to Justin? The falsetto? They don't sound alike!
October 7, 200717 yr Author I wouldn't compare them even in a dream :lol: Total opposites to one another :lol:
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