The long wait for Maroon 5's new album Hands All Over is finally over. With all the hype, the release of Hands All Over was a bit anticlimatic. Many of the songs were debuted on Maroon 5's summer tour and on the college tour before that. A sneak preview of the album was available on iheart's Maroon 5 Radio and Maroon 5's MySpace page.
As the band's third studio album, the expectations were high for Hands All Over. The album was produced by the legendary Robert John "Mutt" Lange (Nickelback, Shania Twain, Def Leppard, AC/DC). Lange challenged Maroon 5 to rethink every aspect of their songs. His production mark can be heard throughout Hands All Over with layers upon layers of sound. Adam Levine's vocals are no exception. Levine's voice sounds impeccable. If you've caught one of the band's recent live performances, you know that's not autotune.
Much of Hands All Over has a 60s soul vibe to it expanding on Maroon 5's fusion of rock, pop and funk sound. Here's a breakdown of the songs:
Misery - The first single from Hands All Over, Misery is the Maroon 5 sound we've come to know. The chorus is irresistibly catchy, sticking in your head the first time you hear it. The bass is the real star of this song creating a funky dance tune.
Give A Little More - The second single of the album starts with straight up drums, followed by funky guitar. With a hint of disco, this song will make you get out of your seat. The video for Give A Little More, just released, proves that. For the band, it's a straight performance in a lounge setting. They're surrounded by people whose dancing gets increasingly uninhibited to down right raunchy.
Stutter - This is the stand out song of the album. In concert, fans were singing along even though they were hearing it for the first time. Stutter starts with Gary Glitter thumping drums. It continues in fun, sexy and dramatic style.
Don't Know Nothing - This song has a distinctive Motown feel. It begins with a girl group intro and segueways into Temptations/Four Tops territory.
Never Gonna Leave This Bed - This song is reminiscent of the mid-tempo pop songs on It Won't Be Soon Before Long like Won't Go Home Without You. The pace is faster, which gives it a more distinctive sound but it's one of the weaker songs on Hands All Over.
I Can't Lie - Each Maroon 5 album has had a jazzy, melancholy song on it that goes down like smooth milk chocolate melting on your tongue, Sunday Morning on Songs About Jane and Back At Your Door on It Won't Be Soon Before Long. For Hands All Over, it's I Can't Lie but this time there's an added 60s soul sound to it.
Hands All Over - The title track will remind you most that Mutt Lange produced this album. Primarily because it has a Def Leppard a la Pour Some Sugar On Me feel to it. Hands All Over is Maroon 5's hardest rocking song since Harder To Breathe. It's missing the soulful sound of Adam's voice but the gritty guitar and stomping drums dictates the tone of this song. Just imagine it played live...ahhh.
How - Although How is another love song, the lyrics shine on this ballad. With almost every song Adam Levine writes being about a relationship, the lines "though I don't understand the meaning of love, I do not mind if I die trying" and "I have been bound by the shackles of love and I don't mind if I die tied up" make you understand his obsession.
Get Back In My Life - One of the most unusual songs on the Hands All Over, Get Back In My Life is musically crisp with all the instruments clear and distinct. But what is that sound? A little bit disco with a tinge of 20's German cabaret, driven by drums and guitar. Yet, somehow it works. It's sounds different for Maroon 5 but still establishes them as a top dance rock band.
Just A Feeling - The title says it all. The song washes over you like a cool breeze that ends up making you shiver.
Runaway - This shows Maroon 5's trademark fusion of rock/pop/funk sound. Runaway does sound a bit divided but the guitar flows continuously throughout the track.
Out of Goodbyes (with Lady Antebellum) - Maroon 5 goes country? You better believe it. This is a lovely but haunting country ballad. Adam Levine's voice intertwines perfectly with Hillary Scott.
Bonus Tracks on Deluxe edition:
Last Chance - This song is worthy of being a track on the main album. A sexy R&B tune, it exemplifies Maroon 5 as genuine blue-eyed soul.
No Curtain Call - The song begins with a marching drum that leads the way through the entire song. No Curtain Call is an interesting departure for Maroon 5. It definitely belongs as a bonus track because it doesn't fit with the sound of the rest of the album.
Never Gonna Leave This Bed - This is basically a stripped down version of the original.
Misery (Acoustic) - Acoustic versions usually don't seem like much of a bonus but this is by far an exception. This incarnation of Misery couldn't sound more different than the original. It's slowed down with a darker tone to match the lyrics. A rolling finger picked guitar plays throughout the song like rippling water.
If I Ain't Got You (Live) - No special arrangement was given to this cover. It's as simple and beautiful as the original version by Alicia Keys. Adam's voice, infused with emotion, is what carries the song.
The Air That I Breath - This is old school R&B, as though Maroon 5 is channeling the soul sounds of Atlantic Records in the 60s.
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