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New-age rock's new colour code
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A rock band that took home the Best New Album in this year's Grammy awards has released its latest
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What makes Maroon 5 stand out from other bands is the fact that its sound is very contemporary and appeals to modern rock fans.
CREED, LINKIN' Park and Evanescence have had their shot at billboard glory. Now, it's time to make way for Maroon 5. The latest and hottest new-age rock band, which won the Best New Album award at the Grammies this year, has released its album, Songs About Jane (Sony BMG CD; Rs. 399) in India.
The Maroon 5 boys Adam Levine, vocals and guitar, James Valentine, guitar, Jesse Carmichael, keyboards, Mickey Madden, bass and Ryan Dusick, drums, began their career in 2002 with the debut single, "Harder To Breathe". But everyone, except Ryan, called themselves Kara's Flowers, and later after being part of a band called The Fourth World, they decided on Maroon 5.
Though initially they didn't make any impact, extensive airplay on radio stations ensured that they hit the number four slot, 17 weeks later.
The five impressed music lovers with opening acts for Sheryl Crow, John Mayer and Counting Crows. And just as they were beginning to get noticed, an independent record label in the U.S. spotted them at one of their gigs and offered them a record contract. Thus, the album, Songs About Jane was born.
The first two singles from the album, "Harder To Breathe" and "This Love", did the trick for Maroon 5. Having hit the top 10 charts across the U.S., by the time the third single, "She Will Be Loved" was released, "Songs About Jane" was certified platinum.
According to the programmer of a music channel which co-organised the Mark Knopfler concert in Bangalore, what makes Maroon 5 stand out from other bands is the fact that their sound is very contemporary and appeals to modern rock fans. But the sound is more original and the lack of excess polish in the drum and guitars provides a certain mellowness.
Though "This Love" did not do too well, in India, the Grammy hype has created an interest in the album, and the Kanye West Remix version of the track is fast gaining popularity. The track is very different and has instant appeal, especially due to Adam's energetic vocals, which are not too loud. The album kicks off with "Harder To Breathe", setting the mood for a roller-coaster ride of various moods and emotions ranging from "She Will Be Loved", which is uniquely sensitive to "Sweetest Goodbye", which is a breezy number reflecting remembrance and grief.
The acoustic versions of "Harder To Breathe" and "This Love" that appear towards the end of the album, present the respective tracks in an entirely different mood, which is highly impressive. If you have liked Creed, you are sure to love this album.
A. VISHNU
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