The Maine just recently released their 6th studio album, which also coincides with their 10 year anniversary as a band. They've embarked on a world tour to celebrate both the album and the milestone in their career, and fans have flocked from all over to see them. I personally was able to see them perform at the House Of Blues in Anaheim this past Sunday, April 9th, and it was an absolute blast. The energy going back and forth between the band and the crowd was an incredible cycle to be a part of, and something that was evident in their most recent release, Lovely Little Lonely.
The album is unique, as all of their albums are, but especially in the way it's constructed. They've never really made much use of interludes, but LLL makes big use of these short, non-traditionally structured songs to connect the album from start to finish. The transitions are super smooth and capturing; they make it hard to not listen to the album in one sitting whenever you start a song. It also is somewhat similar to the way The 1975 structures their albums; I'm not sure if The Maine listens to them, but there's an undeniable similarity in the way they hold the album together.
The album also feels a bit unique in terms of Jared's guitar parts throughout the album. His riffs and solos feel very prominent on the album, as well as there being a variety of sounds he seems to try out throughout. From the more traditional rock riffs that push finisher "How Do You Feel?" to the more ethereal arpeggios that start off "Lost In Nostalgia". It's really cool to see the growth of the individual members as well as the band as a whole.
Throughout the album, there are strong tones of nostalgia, both lyrically and musically. Lyrics speak of memories and reminiscing all over the place; songs "Do You Remember?" and "The Sound of Reverie" are explicitly about remembering what happened in a different time. "Lost In Nostalgia" acts as a bit of a contrast, warning the listener to not be stuck in the memories of the past. And even the songs that point to the past don't say to stay there, necessarily; they simply acknowledge what has happened and how it was good.
The opening song, for example, has a very similar vibe to The Click Five's 2005 hit, "Just The Girl", literally feeling like a reminder of another time. They also draw on inspiration from their own past releases, pulling the more rock n roll vibe from their albums Black & White and Pioneer, experimental ideas reminiscent of the risks taken for Forever Halloween, and the polished pop aspect of their first and most recent albums respectively, Can't Stop Won't Stop and American Candy. This album really feels like the culmination of everything they've done; they've pulled all the tools out of the toolbox and made something that moves them forward as a band while still acknowledging where they've come from.
As far as each song goes, there's not a single album-filler on this release. Each song feels deliberately crafted, specifically created for a purpose in each spot on this musical journey. I've spoken about one of the songs, "Black Butterflies & Deja Vu", in a previous review, so I won't touch on it again except to say that it is my favorite track from the album. Each song will bring you to a different place; "Bad Behavior" is full of flirty fun and an irresistible tune, "Taxi" manages to be melancholy and hopeful all at once, "I Only Want To Talk To You" slows things down with striking moments of near silence combined with full and raw emotional climaxes, and "How Do You Feel?" finishes off the album with a series of questions that push the listener to really think about what they're doing with their lives and if it's really what they want.
I could talk about this album for hours, but I'm going to draw the line here. It's easily the best album I've heard this year, and most likely will continue to hold that spot throughout the year. I am really, really excited for how this album turned out, and really proud of all the guys in the band for the work they put in and the effort they make to connect with the fans and make them a part of their family.
Rating: 5/5
Recommended: "Black Butterflies & Deja Vu", "Lost In Nostalgia", "Do You Remember?", "Taxi"
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