Maroon 5

Maroon 5
It Won't Be Soon Before Long


Change is good; crucial, even. But knowing one's strengths is just as important as musical evolution in my book (still not published). A band like Maroon 5 has built an entire legacy off their 2002 debut, Songs About Jane--their polished, funky R&B wouldn't sound out of place on a Hall & Oates album from the 80s, or a Bee Gees pop nugget from the 70s. Now, a staggering 5 years later comes the follow-up, It Won't Be Soon Before Long.

The changes in the musical landscape since Kara's Flowers wilted and the L.A. boys sold over 10 million copies of their debut have been staggering as well.

For instance:

N'SYNC broke up (2002)

Justin Timberlake released Justified (2002)

I got a haircut (2003)

Kanye West released The College Dropout (2004)

Kanye West released Late Registration (2005)

Justin Timberlake released FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)

The Police reunited (2007)

All of these happenings (outside of cropping my precious coif) can be heard throughout the sonic fabric of the 5's latest, from the metallic-sheen of JT's solo work ("Makes Me Wonder") to Mr. West's soulful recasting of hip-hop ("Nothing Lasts Forever"--the chorus is nicked from Adam Levine's vocal-work on West's "Heard 'Em Say")--and The Police's new-wave reggae ("Won't Go Home Without You"). It's all here for the taking.

No use for lollygagging: It Won't Be Soon Before Long is jam-packed with jams. It's that simple. To put this album under the critical microscope is to forget the "point" of it all. It's catchy pop music, direct and effective. A few standouts (out of many) include the slow-jammy "Better That We Break," the slap-happy rhythm that defines "Can't Stop," and "Goodnight Goodnight"'s blend of saccharine and sadness.

Bonus: The jumpy, break-neck paced "Kiwi" is the standout. Color me biased!