You know those wacky marketing people who find obscure bands to feature in prominent commercials, exposing us all to great songs that none of us have heard before? This is not a story about that. I had Songs About Jane by Maroon 5 weeks before I heard their track "This Love" featured in some commercial for women's jeans.
Songs About Jane could live up to its title. We don't know who Jane is, or if she's a metaphorical composite of several women in the life of lead singer/guitarist Adam Levine (who was either the sole writer or co-writer of all the tracks on the album), but each of the tracks paints a particular picture of aspects of a woman's personality or episodes in a relationship. The fact that these great lyrics and haunting vocal track is backed by a band that is at times light and funky and at others solemn and touching just adds to the incredible package that is Maroon 5's debut. You'd never expect this kind of soul from a bunch of white boys from Los Angeles.
Whoever Jane is — and she is listed as "my muse" in Levine's thank yous in the album liner notes — she obviously had a torrid impact on his songwriting. The love/hate/need combination weaves its way through the entire album. One side of the spectrum is evident in songs like "Harder To Breathe," "Through With You" and "Not Coming Home," which accurately convey the urgent frustration present in recognizing the need to end a hurtful partnership. To keep us from thinking that Jane is an evil bitch, the album also offers what might be seen as apologies from a man, accepting some blame for what might have gone wrong, in the form of songs like "She Will Be Loved," "The Sun" and "Tangled."
Article comments
1 - val
this band is amazing! i recently saw them live at nita's hideaway in tempe arizona. I wasn't aware of them, i went to see oar and oddly enough, i enjoyed maroon 5's performance better. i bought this cd on impulse and i can't stop listening to it.
2 - anais
Maroon5 are incredible.. I am seeing them on the 27 in Philly...I cant wait.. they are genius
3 - Jess
Maroon 5 ROCKS.
4 - edgy
I heard Maroon 5 just last night at the John Mayer concert in Philly. They completely over shadowed John, and I immediately bought the CD after their set. I've never heard such creative, yet catchy music.
5 - Lindsay
...just saw Maroon 5 open for John Mayer, and they were awesome
6 - Melissa
MAROON 5 IS THE BEST BAND EVER I AM OBSESSED
7 - Cris
Ya, I AM OBSESSED ALSO!!! Im seeing them in Detroit Nov 4th...cant wait!
8 - Funked
"This Love"..."Shiver"..."Harder to Breath"... These arnt mere titles to Maroon 5's latest songs... this is how I feel when listening to their music.
If you crave some soul and poetry with a flourish of funk in your music, then this is it.
Awesome music! Awesome band!
9 - Carol
yes maroon 5 ROCK!
i am seein em at the apollo in september! they ROCK no end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
adam levine is a very inspirin person! he has great stage presence and an AMAZIN voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10 - jess! and my best friend shannon
hi your music is da bom!!!! is it hot in herr or just you! i guess its you!<3
shannon and jess<3
11 - Vez
Maroon 5 is like the best band everrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12 - paris
Maroon 5 is the best band that ever liived havnt seen em live yet but i really hope to do so. They ROCK MY SOCKS DOWN TO THE FLOOR!!!!!!!
13 - STUMPY!!
MAROON 5.....
LIKE BEST BAND EVA.