Posted October 30, 200717 yr FORT WORTH – Just as its name states, Maroon 5 is a band of just one color. At least it's not a primary color, so that the sonic hue that it emits isn't too plain Jane. But now that the R&B-flavored LA band has more than songs about that one girl hitting the charts, you'd think that maybe its live show would include a little wider slice of the rainbow. At the Fort Worth Convention Center Arena on Saturday, the only truly colorful moments came from the predictably prominent lighted backdrop (of course that stylized "M" with the small "v" was the centerpiece!) and singer Adam Levine's mouth. In essence, Maroon 5's set delivered what it needed to and nothing more. For all of his steely and stone-faced good looks and considerable personal presence, Mr. Levine appeared to pace around purposefully instead of vibrantly. He worked the crowd with almost banal methodology: throwing Phil Collins and Stevie Wonder licks into tracks, having the house lights come up during "Wake Up Call" to liven up the homogenized female-weighted crowd of about 7,500, overbaking showoff vocal runs, and bombastic arena-rock-song endings to levels that the Who would question. That doesn't mean that Maroon 5 isn't competent. With rare exception, Mr. Levine's voice was dead on and as evocative as an emotionless-looking high-class kid from Cali has a right to expect. Guitarist James Valentine proved capable, though the highest levels of character came from his silky blonde hair and his gleaming white high-top sneakers. Bassist Mickey Madden and key tickler Jesse Carmichael both held fast and taut though each were largely invisible visually. Drummer Matt Flynn was the most memorable performer because his playing is naturally heavier than the rest of the members. Maroon 5 simply lacks the consistent dynamism that remarkable live acts can throw out by hitting a single chord. Only Mr. Levine and Mr. Valentine's novel guitar interplay at the end of "Shiver" really leapt out at the audience (well, except for Mr. Levine's potty-mouthed tirade against his bad haircut; yes, dozens of children were in attendance), and that was offset by a droll and overextended version of "Secret" two songs before it. At Maroon 5's stylistic opposite was campy Swedish garage band the Hives, which delivered one flammable number after another – it basically sounded like Buddy Holly had he fronted Gang of Four – during its 40-minute opening turn. By its conclusion, that band's true colors – an unmitigated energy and exaggerated sense of immediacy – had won over many despite its now-expected black-and-white getup (which, for the coming album cycle for The Black and White Album consists of diagonally striped ties and piped-trim private-club blazers complete with a Hives crest on the breast). Wide-eyed Hives vocalist Howlin' Pelle Almqvist would have been either a college cheerleader or a circus ringmaster if rock wasn't in his life. Mr. Levine would be either a male model or a ladies shoe salesman.
November 7, 200717 yr I've heard of them..I have to look up what song they are famous for, though..I forgot. :lol: :looks up: It's "Hate to Say I Told You So", they claim that is their big one. They are a rock band from Sweden.
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