American pop rock band ‘The Maine’ are back with their new album ‘American Candy’, their fifth studio album since they formed in 2007; the follow up to the 2013 ‘Forever Halloween’ album which was later released as a deluxe edition in June 2014.
The band dropped ‘English Girls’, the catchy first single from the album in February, which achieved #17 on the iTunes Alternative Chart. It was only one month later when the boys announced their second single from the album ‘Miles Away’, which also debuted in the iTunes Alternative Chart, though this time at #16. Though laid-back ‘Miles Away’ isn’t as upbeat as the strummy ‘English Girls’, it’s a strong addictive pop single that appears to see the boys rediscovering their older sound, which is quite a contrast to their previous album ‘Forever Halloween’. ‘Forever Halloween’ showed the boys taking a slower and darker direction, the first single released from it for example though one of the most upbeat on the album, and ironically called ‘Happy’, didn’t have happy undertones in the slightest, with the chorus seeing lead vocalist John O’Callaghan singing “I don’t like I’ll ever be happy”. It was a fantastic album none-the-less but it’s nice to see the boys sounding more like their easygoing older albums such as ‘Pioneer’ and ‘Black and White’.
With the exception of the sad and lyrically mind blowing ’24 Floors’, you’re instantly thrown in to this positive vibe at the beginning of every track. The boys tackle some sensitive topics in their lyrics, but they do it in a tasteful manner, and accompany it with beautifully uplifting music. ‘Hair’ sends out the message that you are your own person and should do what you want to do, ‘Am I Pretty?’ approaches the issue of self confidence, and perhaps my favourite on the album ‘(Un)Lost’ is about “not looking to be found, just want[ing] to feel un-lost”. Fantastic lyrics are often hard to come by, but the Maine’s really shine. There’s not one bad track on the album.
It’s often said that some music sounds like where it’s been recorded, the best example probably being the Beach Boys and California. ‘American Candy’ sounds like it’s been recorded on a warm summers day in America. (I looked in to the bands recording details and the boys rented a house near the famous Joshua Tree, so not far off at all!) ‘American Candy’ is a top album, it’s catchy, and somehow both thought provoking and carefree. It really is the finishing result of a group of friends coming together to make something truly beautiful. ‘American Candy’ is an easygoing album that can be enjoyed by fans both old and new, so give it a listen today.
