Maroon 5 (album)

Artist : Maroon 5 Album : Songs About Jane (BMG Music)

Singer/songwriter John Mayer praised the music of Maroon 5 as "the perfect blend of melody and grit. One of the best live bands to come along in a while".

The material that the LA quartet presents is indeed a pretty convincing work of R&B, funk and rock blend, probably due to years of experimentation and exploration.

Somehow a bit reminiscent of Jamiroquai, plus the fact that Adam Levine's voice is similar to Jay Kay's, this debut album pours in deep and funky grooves, throbbing bass lines and engaging hooks.

Tracks such as Harder to Breathe and This Love brings back the era of Motown, James Brown and Stevie Wonder, without sounding like a rip off.

At times, the band comes across as a sanitized boyband, trapped into hyperbole and melodrama, although it is not too bothersome.

Besides, this is only a debut album, and there is still a long way to go. For now, it is quite refreshing. -- Hera Diani