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CartMaroon 5 "Overexposed" Album Review — 5 out of 5 stars
Thu, 21 Jun 2012 08:34:27
On their fourth album, Overexposed, Maroon 5 bring the funk better than anyone else out there.
Whether it's the hazy crooning of "Ladykiller"—which drops into a wah solo that could fuel a night out with Shaft—or the driving guitar twang of "Lucky Strike", the Los Angeles quintet have ass-shaking soul rock down to a science here. Kicking off with a reggae-style guitar on "One More Night", the album starts on a subtle yet sharp note.
A potent first verse, Adam Levine declares, "You and I go hard at each other like we're going to war". The push-and-pull of the tumultuous relationship described in the lyrics belies just how slick and swaggering the song's hook is. Mickey Madden's bass is tight and groovy, while James Valentine's riffing reaches its most diverse and dynamic heights yet on this offering. Matt Flynn lays down some staggering beats, and PJ Morton's keyboards color the soundscapes vibrantly. At the center of this instrumental majesty, Levine reaches another level reaching the status of legend alongside Bono and Anthony Kiedis, merging genres while effectively forging something fresh altogether.
"Payphone" merges one of the band's biggest hooks with clever lines like, "All those fairy tales are full of shit. One more fucking love song I'll be sick" just before Wiz Khalifa drops by for a fiery little guest spot. The record's standout remains the piano-driven ballad "Sad", which echoes Elton John in terms of epic scope and shows just how vulnerable Levine can get.
Everything culminates on the bluesy stomp of "Kiss", which stretches past the seven-minute mark and gives all of the players room to truly shine. Ultimately, Overexposed exposes every facet of this versatile outfit more clearly than ever before, whether its funk, pop, or rock. At the end of the day, Maroon 5 made a classic record here that'll get you moving…
—Rick Florino
06.21.12
Are you excited for Overexposed? Will you be getting it Tuesday June 26?
Get it on iTunes!
