Music Review: MAROON 5 – Overexposed
There's something to be said for sex-core pop rock swag kings Maroon 5. There's a good chance you even like them without actually knowing who the hell they are because you wandered into a club and grinded something against something else gross to one of their tunes. 'Overexposed' is at times raw and moving but still has that commercial glaze smothering it and preventing any sort of longterm takeaways.
Singer Adam Levine is one hell of a voice (wink) and that little TV show he does happens to not suck, so watch it sometime. His band Maroon 5 have always seemed to be one of those come and go commercialized pop rockers sticking it to as much radio as possible every three years before fading away. I don't think that's the band's fault and I truly believe that they believe in the stripper-music that they create. The songs are catchy and they all sound like something that should be playing while a whole bunch of ass is being shaken directly into your face.
'Overexposed' is the band's fourth studio album and although it's much better than I expected after that painful 'Moves Like Jagger' single, it doesn't hold my attention like 'Songs About Jane'. 'Harder to Breathe' still is and at this point will likely always be Maroon 5's best song. Play that alongside their other singles and you'll weep for that Prince inspired rock to come pouring back into their writing. The mainstream push is very evident on 'Overexposed', especially on lead single 'Payphone'. Here's a tip: not every song needs a rap cameo. Wiz Khalifa didn't hear this song before lending verses to it did he? There's no way…..
OK, so 'Payphone' is catchy. It even has some expletives which is what all the cool kids are doing these days. Opener 'One More Night' was solid and ballad 'Sad' was a nice quiet touch to what is mostly a collection of forgettable radio bait. To say that Maroon 5 dropped the ball with 'Overexposed' wouldn't be fair to the band because this is a strongly produced record. It's just so accessible and 'fake' that I'm scared small children will find this album and think it's OK to grow up a sexy braindead robot.
1. "One More Night"
2. "Payphone" (featuring Wiz Khalifa)
3. "Daylight
4. "Lucky Strike"
5. "The Man Who Never Lied
6. "Love Somebody
7. "Ladykiller"
8. "Fortune Teller"
9. "Sad
10. "Tickets"
11. "Doin' Dirt"
12. "Beautiful Goodbye"
